Connect with us

News

FG, UNODC Join Forces Against Illicit Funds

Published

on

FG, UNODC Join Forces Against Illicit Funds

The Federal Government has partnered with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to strengthen Nigeria’s fight against illicit financial flows, terrorism financing, and money laundering within the solid minerals sector.

This was the fallout of a meeting between the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, and UNODC officials held at the ministry headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the media aide to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, the initiative seeks to enhance the capacity of Nigeria’s criminal justice institutions to detect, investigate and prosecute financial crimes linked to illegal mining and the financing of armed groups.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja, UNODC’s Counter-Terrorism Project Coordinator, Mr. Tom Parker, commended Nigeria’s recent strides in sanitising the mining sector, particularly the establishment of the Mining Marshals, a specialised security unit drawn from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

He said the project will be funded by the Government of Canada.

Parker, who led a team of project officers including Inneke Geysens-Bourgions and Nicole Andersen, noted that the UN agency would collaborate closely with the Ministry to ensure the successful implementation of the project.

In his response, the minister described the partnership as a major boost to the Federal Government’s ongoing reforms in the sector, especially in tackling illegal mining and associated security threats.

“We are excited about this collaboration. The support from the UNODC and the Canadian Government will further strengthen our resolve to dismantle the criminal networks profiting from our mineral wealth and using it to fund conflict and insecurity,” Alake said.

He added that the mining marshals, who have already commenced nationwide operations, were created to bypass the constitutional hurdles of establishing a new security outfit.

“When I assumed office, I saw the urgent need for a dedicated security architecture for the mining sector. I obtained presidential approval to set up the Mining Marshals under the NSCDC, and they’ve been making arrests and prosecuting offenders.

“This sends a clear message that illegal mining will no longer be tolerated,” the minister added.

The partnership comes amid growing concerns over the link between illegal mining, armed banditry, and terrorism financing in Nigeria’s resource-rich regions. Security experts and development partners have long called for a coordinated approach to addressing the opaque mineral trade, which often fuels insecurity and denies the country billions in revenue.

Alake also revealed that President Bola Tinubu has approved the deployment of satellite-based mine surveillance technology to help security agencies monitor remote mining sites in real-time and swiftly respond to illegal operations.

He said, “The new satellite monitoring system for mines to further curb malpractices and enable the security operatives to identify the location of the incident and mobilise the necessary forces to the site.”

Punchng.com

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Atiba Varsity Tasks New Staff, Places Premium On Academic Excellence

Published

on

The Vice Chancellor of Atiba University, Oyo, Professor Sunday Okeniyi, has enjoined the newly employed staff of the institution to develop the spirit of teamwork, respect, and discipline, which are the hallmarks of every successful institution.

Okeniyi disclosed this during the orientation programme for the newly employed staff of the institution.

While welcoming the newly employed staff, he also congratulated them on their successful appointment into the fast-rising institution. “Your joining us today is not by chance, but by merit, commitment, and the will of God. Atiba University is a citadel of learning and character formation, envisioned to nurture and produce men and women of excellence, integrity, and service. By becoming part of this family, you are now co-builders of this noble vision.”

The V-C said the orientation programme was a deliberate initiative of the management to formally integrate the new staff into the University system. “It is designed to give you a clear understanding of our mission, vision, core values, rules, and operational culture. Our goal is not just for you to work here, but for you to thrive, contribute meaningfully, and leave an indelible mark on the growth and transformation of this University.”

He explained that the university places a premium on academic excellence, innovative research, moral uprightness, and community development. These values define the identity and are the standards the staff must all uphold in their respective assignments—whether as academic staff shaping young minds or as non-teaching staff providing essential support services that make our work possible.

While admitting much needed to be done, Okeniyi said the institution has recorded remarkable progress within a short time. “The future we envision—a future of global competitiveness, leadership in innovation and knowledge, and impact within and beyond Nigeria—requires the collective commitment of every member of staff. That includes you. Your dedication, creativity, and professionalism are needed to propel us forward,” he said.

Continue Reading

News

This Is War, Kill Every Single One Of Them – Fani-Kayode Blows Hot Over Zamfara Mosque Massacre

Published

on

Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has condemned the gruesome murder of five worshippers during an early morning prayer in Yandoto village, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
Promoted Content

Speaking via his 𝕏 account, he insisted that the killers should be wiped out, adding that there should be no room for discussions or negotiations.

Fani-Kayode asserted that the killers are terrorists not bandits and described their actions as an act of war.

He wrote: “These are not bandits. Pls stop calling them bandits. They are bloodthirsty killers and terrorists and every single one of them should be wiped off the face of the earth.

“If our people cannot worship God in peace then we have nothing. No negotiation, no discussion, no ransom payments, no rehabilitation.

“This is WAR. Kill every single one of them, wipe out their blood line and decimate their communities and abodes. There is no place on earth for those that slaughter innocent civilians.”

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has accused Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of failing to address the escalating banditry crisis in the state.

Naija News reports that a deadly attack occurred on Sunday in Oke-Ode, Ifelodun Local Government Area, which left several residents and vigilante members dead.

Speaking via a statement on Monday, the Publicity Secretary of the party, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, described the massacre as “a despicable and senseless act.”

He blamed the governor for the insecurity situation in the state, noting that it is a monumental leadership failure.

Adewara said, “The gruesome videos of the casualties circulating online make it look like Kwara is now at war. Under AbdulRahman’s watch, terror is reigning, kidnappers are taking over rural villages, and nowhere is safe again.”

The opposition party faulted AbdulRazaq’s alleged silence and absence from the affected community, insisting that a responsible leader should have personally visited Oke-Ode to commiserate with victims’ families and give assurances of decisive action.

It further accused the governor of neglecting local vigilantes and security personnel “battling criminals in the bush,” while diverting funds to “footballers and entertainers outside the state.”

The PDP’s criticism comes amid rising concern in Kwara North, where repeated bandit attacks have forced residents to abandon farms, schools, and businesses.

Continue Reading

News

Nigeria @65: Atiku Knocks Tinubu’s Government In Strongly-Worded Independence Day Message; Details Emerge

Published

on

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has praised Nigerians for what he described as “uncommon patience, endurance, and resilience despite living under suffocating socio-economic and security conditions”

In his Independence Day message to Nigerians, the opposition leader alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) administration had abandoned Nigerians to their fate

Atiku lamented that Nigerians were enduring pains from “raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness all “compounded by the insensitivity of the APC-led administration

Tinubu Chairs ECOWAS 67th Session

In an Independence Day message released by his media office, obtained by Legit.ng, Atiku lamented that Nigerians are enduring excruciating pains from raging insecurity, rising food scarcity, mass unemployment, and a dangerous climate of hopelessness.

The presidential hopeful accused the Tinubu administration of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

Atiku declared: “It is tragic that in a country blessed with immense human and material resources, millions of our people have been reduced to refugees and beggars in their fatherland. Every responsible government holds the welfare and security of its citizens as supreme. But what we have today is an administration that has abandoned its people. Hunger is killing Nigerians, bandits are massacring communities, yet President Tinubu and his cabinet stand by, unmoved and uncaring.”

Furthermore, Atiku called on citizens not to lose faith, reminding Nigerians that the 2027 election provides a clear opportunity to reject bad leadership and reclaim the promise of a better tomorrow.

He said: “The beauty of democracy lies in the power of the ballot. Oppressed and battered as our people may feel today, they will have the chance to sweep away this inept government at the next polls. That is the power no cabal can take away from the people.”

At 65, Atiku noted, Nigeria remains “a giant moving painfully slow on feet of clay”.

The 78-year-old blamed Nigeria’s condition on “a direct result of decades of poor leadership and wasteful governance.”

He bemoaned: “Yet, he urged Nigerians to keep hope alive, insisting that with the right leadership, the country can still rise from the ashes of failed governance to reclaim its rightful place among the comity of nations.”

 

Continue Reading

Trending