President Bola Tinubu has directed security and law enforcement agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, to intensify efforts in cracking down on individuals in possession of stolen vehicles.
This is as the government said it will continue to work with its international partners to ensure that cyber criminals and organised crime groups involved in transnational car thefts are deprived of the benefits of their illegal activities.
President Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted that one of the most effective tools available to law enforcement agencies is depriving criminals of the proceeds from their illicit activities.
He acknowledged the recent handover of 53 vehicles and $180,300 by the EFCC to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, RCMP, on behalf of two Canadian citizens who were victims of cybercrimes perpetrated by Nigerian nationals.
While expressing concern over the involvement of transnational organised criminal groups in exporting stolen vehicles to Nigeria, President Tinubu commends the Commission for collaborating with partners to ensure a coordinated and professional repose to this menace.
The president further directed all relevant agencies, particularly the anti-corruption agencies, to protect Nigeria’s economic and financial integrity from organised crime infiltration.
He also demanded that the value of seized and confiscated moveable assets be preserved for the state, society, and victims in line with existing legislation and international conventions.
The president strongly affirmed, “Nigeria is not a destination for stolen vehicles and a haven for illicit wealth from foreign countries. “
He said his administration remained committed to tackling money laundering, cybercrime, and other financial crimes.
Cleric enjoins politicians to embrace humility, selflessness
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, has called on political aspirants to prioritize service and humility as they pursue leadership roles, warning that Nigeria cannot flourish in a climate of hostility and self-interest.
Kaigama made this appeal during his homily at the 25th Sunday Cultural Day of the Holy Cross Parish in Gwarinpa, Abuja, on Sunday.
Drawing from Proverbs 2:12-17, James 3:16-4:3, and Mark 9:30-37, the cleric emphasized that true greatness is measured by one’s attitude towards the underprivileged, not material possessions or titles.
He urged political leaders to seek “wisdom from above,” which he said promotes fairness in economics, decency in politics, societal prosperity, and peace.
“When people vie for leadership positions, they must ask themselves: is their motive to serve or to be served?” Kaigama questioned.
He quoted Jesus’ words, saying, “‘if anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.’ Our leaders must adopt this divine wisdom to become humble and serve one another in love. This is how we can build a better Nigeria, and indeed, a better world.”
The Archbishop decried the negative influence of pride, greed, and ambition in the quest for power, noting that these vices are often disguised as human wisdom. According to him, reliance on earthly wisdom leads many into corruption and other destructive behaviors.
He stated, “Instead of looking to earthly wisdom, we must turn to the ‘wisdom that comes from above,’ which alone can lead us to equality, decency, and peace.”
2027 polls: We’ll move against non-Lagosians — Ex-minister
A former Minister of Communications, Maj. Gen. Tajudeen Olanrewaju, retd, has disclosed that plans are underway to ensure that non-Lagosians do not get into elected offices in the 2027 election.
Olanrewaju, who is the Alternate Chairman of De Renaissance Patriots Foundation, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, lamented that existing political parties in the state deny indigenes of the state the opportunity to fill important political posts during elections.
He also revealed that the conspiracy to capture Lagos State permanently by the ruling elite, most of whom are resident non-indigenes, will be foiled in 2027.
Olanrewaju said: “The question that needs to be answered lies in who stands for the political interest of the indigenes in the affairs of government. Who also determines who qualifies to represent Lagos State in the National and State Assemblies, and also who could fill appointment quotas, from within and outside the state?
“Some might say that the answer lies within the realms of the Constitution. This does not represent a good reason or explain why for 25 years, Lagos State has remained the only state in the whole of the federation since the beginning of the Fourth Republic in 1999 that has not been governed by an indigene with the right of blood except once.
“The existing political parties take the liberty to always deny the indigenes of the state to fill the most important political posts during elections and running of government. The only argument that they usually pose, which is false, is that the indigenous population is not in our favour. There is no empirical data to prove this issue.”
