The Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, on Wednesday said that the decision to protest on February 27 and 28 as announced by the NLC was not taken collectively by both unions.

The TUC in a letter dated February 19, 2024, written by its Secretary General, Dr Nuhu Toro, said the NLC unilaterally took the decision on the planned protest.

Etim, confirmed the letter addressed to the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, adding that “by the virtue of the letter, there is no way we can join the protest.”

This is happening as the Department of State Services warned organised Labour against the planned mass action, saying it could be hijacked.

The NLC had on February 16 declared a two-day protest which would begin after the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum it issued to the Federal Government which will expire on February 22 (today).

The warning was on account of the alleged failure of the government to implement the agreements reached on October 2, following the removal of the fuel subsidy and other economic reforms which had triggered higher transportation costs, inflation, and general hardship.

The situation had provoked protests across the country with youths, and women taking to the streets over the food inflation and higher cost of living.

The NLC and TUC earlier on February 8 gave a two-week ultimatum to the government to meet demands ranging from wage increments to improved access to public utilities and accused it of failing to uphold pledges to soften the impact of reforms.

Briefing journalists in Abuja after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on the state of the economy and matters related to insecurity in the country, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, also accused the Federal Government of failing to implement the agreement reached in October.

On Monday, the Head of Information of the NLC, Benson Upah, said the NLC affiliates were being mobilised for the protest just as state chapters of the congress vowed to join the nationwide demonstration.

one of the NLC affiliates, National Union of Public Service Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors, and Allied Workers Union, in a letter dated February 18, 2024, written by its Secretary General, Duro Adebisi, directed its members to join the NLC planned protest.

But in a new twist, another Labour centre, the TUC, in the letter written by its Secretary General, Toro,  faulted the process adopted by the  NLC in fixing the dates for the protests.

Confirming the latest position of the TUC, the Vice-President, Etim, noted, “We cannot join the protest because the decision was not taken collectively. It is very clear that by virtue of the letter, there is no way we can join the protest.”

Emefiele, who was recently released from the Department of State Services’ detention, was apprehended by EFCC operatives in Jabi, Abuja, less than an hour after regaining his freedom.

A reliable source revealed that Emefiele is under investigation by the EFCC for alleged financial impropriety during his tenure as the head of the central bank.

“Yes, Emefiele is currently in our (EFCC) custody; he was arrested last night less than an hour after the DSS freed him. He’s currently being interrogated at the headquarters, as he’s being investigated for alleged misappropriation of funds amongst other things during his term as CBN governor,” the source noted.

It was gathered that fresh charges may be filed against Emefiele by the EFCC.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for official confirmation when contacted by our correspondent on Friday.

Emefiele had been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June, following his suspension from office by President Bola Tinubu.

He had been asked to hand over his responsibilities to Folashodun Shonubi, the then Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate at the apex bank.

This call is seen as a strategic step towards reinforcing the security advancements in the insurgency-affected region.

This plea was a central component of the resolution formulated at the conclusion of the quarterly conference held at the DSS state headquarters in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

The high-ranking intelligence officials convened in Maiduguri to deliberate on matters concerning regional security and the pivotal role of intelligence gathering in combating the menace of terrorism.

Following their deliberations, the DSS directors from the North-East zone, led by their chairman Abdullahi Hussani, paid a visit to the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum. During this visit, they presented the official communique that encapsulated the outcomes of their discussions.

Governor Zulum, who concurrently serves as the Chairman of the North-East Governors’ Forum, expressed his gratitude to the directors and expressed his commitment to collaborate with fellow governors in the region to restore peace to areas heavily affected by terrorism.

In line with his commitment, the governor pledged to liaise with his counterparts in Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, and Bauchi to ensure the effective and equitable distribution of the relief materials to the citizens.

This is in response to recent security alerts issued by the agency regarding potential terrorist threats during festive periods,

CAN expressed its concern that the DSS’s practice of issuing security alerts has become a customary activity without significant follow-up actions to prevent attacks by terrorists and criminals.

Rev’d Joseph John Hayab, Chairman of CAN’s Kaduna Chapter, voiced his opinion on the matter, stating, “We hope and pray that this alert, like many others in the past, is not merely a diversionary tactic. The DSS, as a covert agency, should take proactive measures to pursue and neutralize terrorists and criminals before they have the opportunity to carry out their plans.”

Hayab also emphasized that Nigerians are already enduring considerable trauma and should not be subjected to further distress.

He acknowledged the recent appointment of new security chiefs by the government, except for the DSS, and expressed hope that the agency would demonstrate a renewed commitment to its responsibilities.

The clergyman stressed the importance of proactive measures rather than reactive statements, asserting that all individuals should remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious activities.

He further emphasized that security is a collective responsibility and called for strategic actions rather than propaganda to overcome the country’s security challenges.

CAN’s statement reflects its desire for the DSS to shift its focus from issuing alerts to implementing effective counterterrorism measures, thus safeguarding the well-being of Nigerians.

Fani-Kayode, a former minister under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, confirmed the invitation in a statement on Monday.

He added that he would honour the invitation.

According to reports, Fani-Kayode claimed in a tweet last week that top military officials had met with some politicians, including the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, in an effort to scuttle the general election on February 25.

He added that the meeting might be part of an agenda to provoke a coup and establish a new and unconstitutional order in the country.

But, in a statement on Saturday, February 12, 2023, the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, advised Nigerians to disregard Fani-Kayode’s tweets, stressing the Armed Forces’ loyalty to the constitution.

Gusau also expressed dismay that even politically exposed persons had denigrated themselves by joining agents of destabilisation.

He said: “It needs to be stated that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is a professional military that is loyal to the Constitution of the Federal Republic and will never be part of any evil plot against our democracy. Besides, the military remains apolitical and neutral in the current political process and will not engage in the alleged shenanigans.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria will never be part of any ignoble plot to truncate our hard-earned democracy.”

In his reaction, Atiku, in a statement by his Special Assistant, Public Communications, Mr Phrank Shaibu, asked the DSS and other security agencies to invite Fani-Kayode to explain his insinuations of a coup d’etat by top army generals and himself.

He wrote, “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t have bothered responding to Fani-Kayode who has over the years built a reputation of being an inveterate liar so much so that he was even publicly blacklisted by the Nigeria Union of Journalists after his disgraceful outburst at a journalist.

“However, allegations and insinuations of a coup should not be taken lightly given the fact that it is treason, an offence that carries the death penalty.

“While commending the Nigerian military for effectively rubbishing Fani-Kayode’s barefaced lie, we call on security agencies to invite him to shed more light on the allegations.”

Meanwhile, following the statement by the Defence Headquarters through Gusau, the former minister, in a tweet commended the army for clearing the air on the alleged meeting between army officials and Atiku.

He wrote, “Happy that the newspaper report I referred to has proved to be FALSE. As I said, “if true”, it would have been troubling. I commend the Military for their commitment to democracy.

“The fact that they can respond so quickly when we raise concerns is encouraging and proves that they are not only responsive and responsible but that we are also on the same page when it comes to civic duties, the rule of law, civilian rule, an open society and democracy.”

He also denied accusing the military of planning to scuttle the election and provoke a coup plot, insisting he had only raised “questions about some rogue officers who, according to media reports, allegedly met with Atiku.”

He added, “Thankfully, those reports have been debunked and proved to be unfounded. There is no gain saying that I have implicit confidence in the military and its High Command as an institution and I trust in their commitment to democracy which has been confirmed and proved over the last 24 years since the return of civilian rule in 1999. I would encourage them to continue to be watchful and alert and to continue their good work by supporting, protecting, and sustaining our democracy.”

But Atiku’s spokesman, Shuaib, rejected Fani-Kayode’s attempt at a recant, describing it as belated.

Fani-Kayode is the Director of Special Projects and New Media of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

Dr. Peter Afunanya, the DSS’s spokesperson, reported that the agency organized a four-day strategic workshop for its State Directors of Security and Heads of Institutions from January 18 to 21, 2023, at its National Headquarters in Abuja.

The workshop, according to him, was a component of the Service’s general election preparation.

The Independent National Electoral Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, gave a keynote speech about the commission’s election preparations during the exercise. He gave the Service assurances about the commission’s commitment to holding a free, transparent, and credible election.

“Also, the commission, through its Director of Legal, Mrs Oluwatoyin Babalola, educated participants on the Electoral Act 2022 and its implications for security agencies. The Service reviewed the security situation in the country and assured INEC of its support which is in line with the President’s pronouncement to the world to bequeath a free and fair election.

“As part of related training and courses outlined for personnel for the period, a capacity building seminar in Public Relations was declared open by the DGSS today, January 23, 2023 for mid-level officers drawn from the State Commands. Resource persons from the media, public relations practice and the academia are participating in the seminar,” the statement by the spokesperson on Monday read.

Afunanya added that the DG, DSS, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, used the occasions to reiterate the need for professionalism and neutrality of personnel in the discharge of the Service’s mandate before, during and after the general election.

“Of note was that at the end of the strategic workshop, participants pledged to work in collaboration with sister agencies, INEC and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that peaceful elections are conducted across the country.

“In a related development, the DSS on January 16, 2023, commenced a two-week Joint Service training programme at the National Institute for Security Studies, Abuja. Participants are drawn from the country’s Armed Forces, Police and other law enforcement and response agencies. The course was initiated by the Service to strengthen interagency relations in view of their separate and combined roles in the forthcoming elections. The Joint Service Course is designed to promote interagency collaboration and efficiency during the elections,” he added.

This was according to a statement by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya.

The commission raised the alarm of a misconception by a newspaper which reported a court order out of context that stopped security agencies from arresting or investigating the INEC chairman.

The statement said, “The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to a 5th January, 2023 online publication in which it reported that ‘Court Stops DSS from Arresting INEC Chairman’.

“The Service has discovered that the newspaper skewed what transpired in the court and reported it out of context. It is against this backdrop that the service pointed out its disapproval to the editorial authorities of the Newspaper. The outfit, which though, argued that what was reported in its online version was different from the hard copy, promised to address the concerns raised but did not.

“This statement, however, becomes important to guide public understanding and perception, especially that the said report is misleading. It falsely left an impression that the service went to court against the INEC Chairman

“Nonetheless, the service is aware of the antics of some mischievous elements who are desirous of fomenting crisis in the country, including creating unnecessary controversies around the forthcoming general elections.

“One of their strategies is to subvert the efforts of the service in ensuring peaceful coexistence and harmony. Another is a determination to overheat the polity and subtly exploit the judiciary to distract or even undermine not only the service but other security and law enforcement agencies from undertaking their constitutional roles.

“The DSS, therefore, warns these individuals and groups to desist from their devious plans. It also advises all critical stakeholders to be vigilant and resist attempts to use them to thwart the law.

“While assuring Nigerians and the international community of the service’s commitment to the maintenance of law and order, including an accomplishment of a free and fair 2023 election as already pledged by Mr President and Commander-in-Chief, the service urges all and sundry to join in the pursuit of national stability and unity,” Afunanya stated.

The Director of the Service in charge of Yobe, Mr Yunusa Abdulkadir made the plea in Damaturu at the Third Quarterly Conference of the State Directors of Security in the North-East Zone.

He noted that the strike, which paralysed university education in the country, had security implications.

“In as much as we know that ASUU is pursuing a genuine cause, they should take a deeper look at the peculiarities of North-East region that has stayed for over a decade in the hands of insurgents,” Yunusa said.

The director also called for the establishment of psychiatric hospital in Yobe to check post traumatic disorder caused by insurgency.

He said failure to do so could lead to high victims of trauma, who could pose another security threat to the state other than that of the insurgents.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Mr Hassan Abdullahi said the conference would analyse security threats, share experiences and chat a way forward.

Abdullahi, who is also the DSS Director for Bauchi State, listed the security challenges in the zone to include insurgency, Kidnapping, banditry and cattle rustling.

He commended the state government for its unwavering support and co-operation to the DSS and other security outfits.

The state deputy governor, Alhaji Idi Gubana described the conference as timely considering the current security challenges in the country.

He said although successes had been recorded in the fight against insurgency, more work needed to be done to ensure total decimation of remnants of the terrorists in the state and the region.

Gubana assured that Gov. Mai Mala Buni’s administration would always align itself with the goals and objectives of all the security agencies in the state.

The driver was said to have disappeared into thin air after the incident but has now been arrested.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Adekunle Ajisebutu said the police also arrested two persons linked to the driver.

“As soon as the report got to the police, investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the lady was immediately initiated,” the police spokesman said.

“To ensure a speedy and diligent investigation, the Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, immediately directed the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti to take over the case.

“In the course of ongoing investigation, two suspects have been arrested and are currently helping in our investigation.

“While assuring that police detectives will continue to work assiduously to find the missing lady and bring her abductors to justice, the Command wishes to appeal to anyone with useful information that could help in our investigation to promptly give it to us for further necessary actions.”

According to the police spokesman, preliminary investigation revealed that the victim may have been pushed down from the bus while motion.

This is even as he stated that efforts are ongoing by the Lagos State Police Command to take over the suspect from the DSS.