Good Evening. Here is today’s News Brief from The Matrix:
1.FG Pledges N3 Billion For Flood Victims
The Federal Government has pledged N3 billion to assist states affected by flooding in Nigeria.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, made this announcement during a visit to Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
After inspecting flood-affected areas, Edun stated that the National Economic Council had approved the allocation to help mitigate the impact of the disaster across the country.
2. Speed Boat Capsizes In Bayelsa, One Dead
A speed boat carrying 15 passengers capsized on the Okubie River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, resulting in one fatality.
The incident occurred just two weeks after a separate boat accident in the same area claimed the lives of 20 people.
In response to the growing number of maritime tragedies, the Bayelsa government has implemented stricter safety measures, requiring all passengers on boats to wear life jackets.
3.NAF Strikes Terrorists, Destroys Oil Refineries
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted successful airstrikes in Kaduna, Zamfara, Imo, and Rivers states, resulting in the deaths of numerous terrorists and the destruction of 25 illegal oil refining sites.
According to a statement released by NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, AVM Edward Gabkwet, the operation, codenamed “Whirl Punch,” aims to combat the recent increase in terrorist activity in the region.
4. Fire Destroys Building In Ebute-Metta
A two-story building was destroyed by fire in the Ebute-Metta area of Lagos State.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident, which occurred at No. 14 Okobaba Street.
The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, provided details of the incident.
5. NDLEA Seizes N2.2 Billion Codeine Syrup
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized a significant quantity of codeine-based syrup, valued at over N2.2 billion.
The agency intercepted 1,596 cartons containing 319,200 bottles of the opioid. NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Mr. Femi Babafemi, made the announcement in Abuja.
6.Court Freezes Accounts Linked to #EndBadGovernance Protests
A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the freezing of bank accounts belonging to 32 individuals and companies associated with the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
In a ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Justice Emeka Nwite granted the request to freeze the accounts pending further investigation and potential prosecution.
The court also directed the banks to apprehend the account holders or anyone attempting to access the funds.
7.NDLEA Seizes 68 Wraps of Cocaine From Body Smuggler
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a businessman who was caught smuggling cocaine in his body.
The suspect, Ibeanusi Nosike, was apprehended at the domestic terminal of Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.
After undergoing a 12-day observation period, Nosike excreted 68 wraps of cocaine. The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, announced the arrest in a statement.
8. Emir Yunusa Danyaya Is Dead
The Emir of Ningi in Bauchi State, Yunusa Danyaya, has passed away.
The royal father died on Sunday morning after a prolonged illness at a hospital in Kano.
The Secretary to the Ningi Emirate Council, Alhaji Usman Sule, confirmed the news in a statement. Danyaya had recently returned from a medical trip to Mecca before his death.
9. Jigawa Flood: Mohammed Badaru Provides N20 Million Relief For Victims
The Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, has donated N20 million to flood victims in Jigawa State.
The donation is intended to assist the state government’s relief efforts for residents affected by the recent flood disaster.
The announcement was made by Mr. Henshaw Ogubike, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Ministry of Defence. Badaru made the donation during a visit to Governor Umar Namadi to express his condolences over the loss of lives and property.
10.Anyaoku Urges President Tinubu To Champion Constitutional Reform
Commonwealth Secretary-General Emeka Anyaoku Urges President Tinubu to Prioritize New Constitution.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, called on President Bola Tinubu to heed the demands for a people-centric constitution.
Anyaoku emphasized the need for urgent action to establish a framework for achieving this goal.
His appeal comes after The Patriots, a non-partisan group of Nigerian thought leaders led by Anyaoku, advocated for a national constituent assembly to draft a new constitution.
