Today's Headlines: Wike denies purchasing N300m bulletproof SUV, Tinubu celebrates Sultan of Sokoto
Wike denies purchasing N300m bulletproof SUV
Federal Capital Territory FCT minister, Nyesom Wike has dismissed as tissues of lies, a social media report that he acquired a N300 Million Armoured Lexus LX600, just a day after he was sworn in by President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking after a tour of the Abuja Light Rail, Wike challenged journalists to inspect his vehicle and confirm whether it was the bulletproof variant or otherwise.
He said; “We are now going to the office to have a direct report from each of the departments, but I have seen what is going on in the social media, how you (FCTA Permanent Secretary) bought a bulletproof car of N300 Million Naira that I am using.
“So I want you people to go hit your hand there (on the car) and see whether it is a treated car. With all due respect, people should be careful not to destroy other people.
“When I came, the Permanent Secretary said they have a car for us, and the car we use is this. I have never approved any car to be bought and I have not used an official bullet-proof car. Whether I have cars as governor? Yes, as a governor, what do you expect I should have? But, I am not using bulletproof car as FCT Minister, so we should report the right thing, and not destroy ourselves. I want you to take a look at where you have the flag, and see whether it is a bullet-proof car”, he declared.
Tinubu celebrates Sultan of Sokoto at 67
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday felicitated His Eminence, Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Sokoto Sultanate Council as the revered royal father and spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria turns 67 on August 24, 2023.
Tinubu, in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, shared this moment of joy and thanksgiving with the leader of the Qadiriyya Sufi order.
He acknowledged the sacrifices and selflessness of the Sultan of Sokoto, who has, since his assumption of office in November 2006, worked assiduously for the sustenance of peaceful co-existence in the country.
The President extolled the Sultan’s magnanimity, friendliness, and neighbourly outlook on life. He particularly appreciated him for seizing every opportunity to educate citizens on the benefits of amity in society while providing platforms for solidifying Nigeria’s unity, such as instituting the Peace Accord for elections as a member of the National Peace Committee.
Soldiers Arrest 39 Bandits, Others In Plateau
Photo Credit:Punch papers
The Special Military Task Force, tion Safe Haven, maintaining peace in Plateau State and its environs, says it has arrested a total of 39 suspected criminals, including bandits, in the state.
It was learnt that the suspects were arrested at different locations within the joint operation area of tion Safe Haven, tion Hakorin Damisa IV, and the 3 Division, Nigerian Army in the past week.
Its spokesperson, Captain Oya James, confirmed the arrest in a statement on Tuesday.
He further disclosed that two of the suspects had been on the wanted list for involvement in several armed robbery and kidnapping activities in the state.
The statement read in part, “Troops of tion Safe Haven and tions Hakorin Damisa IV from August 14 to 21, 2023, have arrested 39 criminal suspects in connection with banditry, kidnapping, and armed robbery, as well as recovered arms, ammunition, and hard drugs.
The suspects were arrested at different locations within the Joint tion Area of tion Safe Haven and the 3 Division Nigerian Army Area of Responsibility.
“Two of the suspects have been on the wanted list for involvement in several armed robberies and kidnapping activities.
BRICS leaders weigh expanding membership at summit
The five BRICS nations are open to expanding the club to new members, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Wednesday, as it pursues greater clout in shaping the world order.
Calls to enlarge the BRICS — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — have dominated the agenda at its three-day summit in Johannesburg and exposed rifts among its members.
China is seeking to rapidly grow the BRICS amid rising competition with the United States but the bloc’s other major power, India, is wary of the intentions of its geopolitical rival.
Nearly two dozen countries have formally applied to join the BRICS, officials say, which accounts for 40 per cent of the world’s population and a quarter of the global economy.
Some 50 heads of state and government have joined BRICS leaders in Johannesburg.
The BRICS are a disparate mix of big and small economies, democratic and authoritarian states, but share a collective desire to challenge the Western-led global order they say does not serve their interests or rising clout.
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