Business

Wanted Boko Haram member arrested at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, on his way to Lagos

Published

9 years ago

November 9, 2015

Recently, Nigerian Military released a list of 100 wanted Boko Haram members in the country. However, one of the suspect on the list of wanted 100 terrorists whose photographs and names were recently released by the military was on Sunday arrested at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) by AVSEC, the security arm of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

The suspect, Chindo Bello, was arrested while attempting to obtain his boarding pass for an Aero Contractor airline flight to Lagos. He is currently being interrogated by the military intelligence.

Sunday’s arrest is the second in recent times at the Abuja Airport, coming less than two months after a combined team of the military and FAAN officials nabbed a young man said to be monitoring movements at the airport for Boko Haram.

Confirming the arrest in a statement following THISDAY enquiries, the Director of Army Public Relations (DAPR), Col. Sani Usman, said: “The declaration of 100 suspected Boko Haram terrorists has started to pay the desired dividend as one of them was arrested as he attempted to flee.

“Today at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, a man suspected to be one of the declared wanted suspected Boko Haram terrorists, Chindo Bello, was apprehended by Aviation Security as he was boarding Aero Contractors’ Airline flight to Lagos. The suspect has since been handed over to the military intelligence for interrogation and prosecution.”

The army spokesman commended those he described as eagle-eyed, patriotic security agents and good citizens for the tip-off that led to the arrest of the suspect.

The Army spokesman also reiterated the need for all well-meaning Nigerians and those residing “in our great country to be more vigilant and assist security agencies with information about the declared wanted terrorists, their sponsors and other criminals in our midst”.

When contacted after THISDAY first got hint of the arrest, FAAN spokesperson, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, admitted that a Boko Haram suspect was arrested at the airport. In an SMS, she said: “I need to get clearance on this FAAN AVSEC arrest today. FAAN actually caught him but has been handed over to the military.”

Speaking on condition of anonymity, another FAAN staff who narrated how the suspected Boko Haram member was caught, told THISDAY that at about 11am (Sunday), a grey-coloured Toyota Hiace bus, driven by a man in army uniform, drove into the airport to drop the suspect and immediately sped off.

“He (driver) never wasted a minute at the airport,” he said.

Continuing, he said the suspect immediately headed to Aero Contractors counter to procure his ticket. He added that because of the long queue, the suspect went outside for a walk where he saw the list of the 100 wanted Boko Haram suspects on the display board.

On sighting his name and picture on the display board, he stepped a few metres away to make a call to some of his members on the development at the airport.

“See this useless people displaying our pictures here at the airport,” he said in Hausa language, a source told THISDAY.

While the conversation was ongoing, and unknown to the suspect, a FAAN security official kept trailing him. By the time he made his way to get his boarding pass, he was interrogated and arrested by officials of FAAN.

One of the passengers who volunteered to speak on condition of anonymity and who was on his way to Lagos, lamented the situation, adding: “Coming within a space of two months is one incident too many. Government should direct its attention to securing the lives of Nigerians who use the airports.”

Business

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

Published

6 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Port Harcourt Refinery Stays Active: NNPC Denounces Sabotage Rumors

NNPC Debunks Shutdown Rumors, Confirms Port Harcourt Refinery Fully Operational

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was re-streamed two months ago, has been shut down.

In a statement released by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the company clarified that the refinery is fully operational. The statement noted that the facility’s operational status was recently verified by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC during a site inspection.

“Preparation for the day’s loading operation is currently ongoing,” the statement confirmed, emphasizing that allegations of the refinery’s shutdown are baseless and intended to create panic or artificial scarcity in the fuel market.

NNPC Ltd urged members of the public to disregard such misleading reports, labeling them as the work of those seeking to exploit Nigerians.

The Old Port Harcourt Refinery has been in operation since its re-streaming, and the company remains committed to ensuring stability in the supply of petroleum products across the country.

Business

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.

The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.

“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.

The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.

Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.

The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.

This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.

Bank

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Polaris Bank has once again cemented its position as a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by winning the prestigious Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility Awards (SERAS), Africa’s foremost recognition for impactful community and sustainability initiatives.

The bank was honored at the 18th edition of the SERAS Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, for its unwavering dedication to sustainable development and critical community interventions across Nigeria. The organizers commended Polaris Bank for its consistent efforts to improve lives and foster growth in underserved areas.

The SERAS Awards, often regarded as the gold standard in sustainability and CSR, celebrate organizations that drive innovation and create lasting societal and environmental benefits. Polaris Bank stood out this year for its extensive portfolio of impactful projects, earning the “Best in Rural Population Integration” award.

Some of the bank’s notable initiatives include:

Sponsoring the planting of 2,000 economic trees in communities like Ajingi, Kano State.
Renovating the Ibeju-Lekki Skill Acquisition Centre and donating essential equipment.
Installing boreholes in underserved rural areas to provide clean water access.
Supporting over 15,000 indigent students in public schools with educational resources, including uniforms, sandals, and books.
Providing free breast cancer screenings to 20,000 women over a decade and supporting survivors through retreats.
Establishing hospitals and rehabilitation centers for victims of sexual violence and vocational centers for women.
Donating ICT labs to skill acquisition centers and promoting financial literacy among students.
Organizing medical outreach programs and aiding Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
These initiatives have not only improved living conditions but also reduced rural-to-urban migration by making communities more self-reliant and livable.

Rebuilding Community Resilience
Polaris Bank recently demonstrated its commitment to resilience by rebuilding its Sagamu branch, which was destroyed during the cash crunch riots following the Naira redesign policy. The bank fully reconstructed and re-equipped the branch, restoring critical banking services and supporting economic recovery in the community.

Commitment to Sustainability
Speaking on the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director, Kayode Lawal, emphasized the institution’s dedication to sustainability. “This recognition underscores our deliberate efforts to drive impactful socio-economic interventions and address the effects of climate change on our environment, economy, and people,” he said.

Lawal reiterated that for Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a destination but a continuous journey of creating positive change.

Celebrating Africa’s Sustainability Leaders
The SERAS Awards brought together policymakers, business leaders, and global sustainability experts to celebrate organizations shaping Africa’s future through innovative solutions. Attendees used the event to connect with like-minded professionals and reaffirm a shared vision of lasting positive change across the continent.

As a trailblazer in sustainability and CSR, Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its mission to uplift communities, foster economic growth, and champion solutions to pressing societal challenges.