Asianet Pakistan Private Limited

Lagos, the Centre of Excellence, would ne bursting at its seams tomorrow, October 4, by playing host to the grand finale of the biggest 7-aside football competition at the Showtime Arena, Lekki.

Abuja’s Energy FC-known for their imperious form-will battle it out against Lagos’ own Snowlions FC in what promises to be one of the most electrifying encounters in the tournament’s history. While Energy FC will be hoping to return the trophy to Abuja, the Snowlions are determined to defend their turf in front of a passionate home crowd.

Adding extra spice to the event, some of Nigeria’s top music stars-Zlatan Ibile, Mayorkun, L.A.X, Ibroking, and Blaqbonez-will headline a novelty celebrity match promoting unity and peace.

Dignitaries expected at the finals include Mr. Adeboye Adeyinka (SSA Grassroots Sports Development), Chief Adaralegbe Akintayo (Chairman, TPumpy Concept), Hon. Nasir Ja’oji (SSA President on Citizenship and Leadership), Mr. Dami Orimoloye (SSA Sports to Governor Sanwo-Olu), Ayo Amusan (Country Manager, Puma NG) and other special guests from MTN, DevonKings, Moremonee and Nigerian Breweries.

The event will be a vibrant mix of football, music, and entertainment, with both male and female celebrity matches scheduled to thrill fans before the grand finale.

This year’s showdown marks only the second time in seven years the national final will be staged in Lagos. The last time, at Mobolaji Johnson Arena, Onikan, Abuja’s 12Strong FC defeated Warri’s Obodo Starlights under the floodlights.

Certainly, all eyes would be Lekki, where no question would be asked when defending champions Energy FC stake their claim against the ambitious Snowlions on their home soil with the kick-off slated for 3:00pm prompt.

Kelechi Iheanacho was available for the duration of Celtic’s Europa League tie with SC Braga of Portugal but he couldn’t do much as his Scottish side were beaten 2-0 at home.

Celtic had begun the group stage with a 1-1 draw with Red Star Belgrade a fortnight ago but Braga proved to be too hot for them.

Iheanacho scored in the first game with Red Star Belgrade but he failed to hit target.

In another game, Fenerbahce beat OGC Nice 2-1 with the Super Eagles attacker, Terem Moffi entering the fray in the 59th minute

Also, Super Eagles striker, Cyriel Dessers was not listed for Panathinaikos in their 2-1 home loss to Go Ahead Eagles.

Dessers played the final 20 minutes of their last 4-1 away win at Young Boys but he was not listed for the game because of an ankle complaint.

Georgian Cup’s serial winners, El-Amin polo team , will be targeting a grandeur 30th celebration of high-goal polo dominance during the eagerly anticipated 2025 Kaduna International Polo Tournament expected to hold later this month.

El-Amin Patron who doubles as the President of Kaduna Polo Club, Mohammad Babangida, earlier in the year declared that the 2025 edition of the Kaduna International Polo Tournament will be the best organized in years with more teams and exciting games on a re-laid pitch at the Murtala Square venue for the grand fiesta.

Though details on the epoch celebration are still sketchy, the team’s long-standing history of success and dominance in the sport, including winning the Georgian Cup and sponsoring various tournaments, suggests that a significant and glamorous event awaits everyone.

Babangida hinted that Kaduna Polo Club will put lots of preparation into the polo tournament to ensure that it is unique in the history of the club, adding that the Ahmadu Yakubu Club House will be agog throughout the ten days duration of the tournament.

‘It’s a new beginning for Kaduna Polo Club, it’s a new leadership, we have been elected for about a year plus and we have been working, renovating the pitch and putting the facilities in the best shape,’ Babangida noted. ‘We want to host a unique tournament to showcase the pitch, we want to bring back the glory days of the premier club, Kaduna Polo Club and the most prestigious trophy in Africa, the Georgian Cup.’

He added: ‘We hope to host a special tournament that will celebrate milestones of the ‘game of kings’ in Kaduna and indeed across the country. We are banking on the goodwill of everyone, our sponsors and partners to support us to make this tournament thrilling and memorable.’

Regarded as Nigeria’s most successful and dominant high-goal power house in polo, El-Amin has won numerous tournaments and trophies both nationally and internationally. They hold the record for winning the prestigious Georgian Cup a record 15 times.

Individually, the El-Amin patron, Babangida, has won the Georgian Cup for a record 16 times. He won it 15 times with El-Amin and once with Kaduna Kakuri in the year 2000.

The Kaduna Polo boss and his El- Amin stars are also the first and only African team to have participated in the Dubai Gold Cup series and the Al-Habtoor Cup Challenge in Dubai.

Babangida has also played a significant role in Nigerian polo, even captaining the Nigerian Polo Eagles to the Federation of International Polo World Cup tournament in Malaysia in 2011 and the Nations Cup of polo in South Africa.

Kaduna remained the home of the glittering Georgian Trophy which was contested for in Nigeria by high-goal teams way back in 1919. Other major prizes that would be carted home by the winners during the upcoming 2025 Kaduna polo festival include the Emir of Katsina Cup, Imani Cup and El Amin Cup.

First Vice President Kaduna Polo Club General Kapeh Kazir who superintends preparation for international event alongside the Tournament Manager Malam Atiku Abubakar Saleh, said the tourney will be the best organized in recent times to make up for the club’s inability to host the fiesta last year due to African Horse Sickness {AHS}

He listed other top laurels that would be at stake during the prestigious polo festival to include Isa Kaita, Gen. Hassan Usman Katsina Cup, Sardauna Cup, Kere Ahmed Cup, Shehu Kangiwa Cup, Musa Yar’Adua Cup, Dangote Cup and Beginners Cup and among others.

‘We are in high spirits preparing for the 2025 Kaduna International Polo Tournament. Right now, Kaduna Polo Club is ready as we are expecting lots of new selected cups because there are lots of sponsors that have shown interest in sponsoring our tournament,’ the amiable Kapeh assured.

Nearly a week after the first wide-bodied aircraft landed at the upgraded Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport, Alakia, Ibadan, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said his administration would do more to attract investors to the state.

He said the upgrade of the airport had rewritten its 43-year-old history, but his government would not stop just yet, as its vision was to make the facility welcoming to investors, who would come into the state and would wish to return.

The governor, who spoke at the Jagz Hospitality Conference, held in commemoration of the first anniversary of the hotel, said government would sustain its policies, which attracted the hotel to the state and had been attracting many other businesses, while it would also up the ante to ensure more investors were attracted to the state.

He added that the state government would continue to support businesses to thrive, irrespective of the economic challenges in the country.

Governor Makinde lauded the management and workers of The Jagz Hotel, urging them not to rest on their oars.

He said: ‘I am glad to be here one year after we inaugurated this business. The business has not folded up and it is still waxing very strong.

‘It is not by accident when you see things happen. It is because people are putting in hard work. They are putting in everything necessary to keep the venture going.

‘So, the staff-members, the management, and even some of you that are patrons here, let me commend you for roles you are playing, especially the management. It is not easy.

‘Since that one year, there has been a lot within the economic environment, and that you are still standing shows that you have together a team. And, I can only assure you that as a government, whatever you need from us, please ask, we will oblige.’

The governor addressed the issue of import substitution, noting that the theory that the country’s economic challenges would go away once its people focused only on the local economic environment was defective.

He said Oyo State had remained open to local businesses coming into the state.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, said the Governor Makinde administration had expanded the economy through tourism and solid mineral development.

He called on stakeholders in tourism and hospitality business to support the government.

Power struggle in the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) National Working Committee (NWC) has deepened the crisis in the opposition platform ahead of next month’s National Convention.

The convention, scheduled for Ibadan, Oyo State capital, is billed for November 15 and 16.

The fresh discord is triggered by the decision of the divided NWC to dissolve the Akwa Ibom State chapter and set up a caretaker committee.

While a section of the party leadership, led by the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, approved the decision, other party officers, led by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, voided it.

Anyanwu explained that there was no formal sitting of the NWC where the decision was ratified.

The secretary chided the Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for misleading the Akwa Ibom chapter and the public with a fabricated decision.

Trouble started when the secretary rejected a directive from the chairman to summon the NWC meeting to deliberate on the composition of the Akwa Ibom State Executive Committee.

Ologunagba explained that a new caretaker committee for the chapter was set up to replace the state executive committee controlled by the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, who had defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, Anyanwu said any meeting of NWC presided by Damagum without a prior notice by him as provided by the PDP Constitution is illegal, null and void.

The secretary said that he has the constitutional duty of taking the notes of the meeting, which was not exercised.

Anyanwu, insisting that the NWC never decided on the dissolution of the leadership of the party in the state, pointed out that the National Executive Committee (NEC), and not the NWC, has the power to dissolve any state executive committee.

A letter by Anyanwu, dated October 1, and titled: ‘RE: Dissolution of Akwa Ibom State Working Committee,’ reads: ‘My attention has been drawn to the purported press statement by the National Publicity Secretary (NPS) of our party, announcing the dissolution of the State Working Committee of Akwa Ibom State.

‘For purposes of clarity, that press statement should be discountenanced because there was no formal sitting of the National Working Committee (NWC) in which such a decision was taken.

‘It is not in the official position and duties of the national Publicity secretary to take actions relating to the implementation of the decisions of the National Working Committee of our party. As a result, the purported press statement is null and void and of no effect.

‘The State Working Committee of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State stands un-dissolved.

‘Please, consider this letter as the rightful authority for you to continue in your duties as provided in the PDP Constitution 2017, as amended.’

Anyanwu is a member of the Nyesom Wike camp that has been locked in conflict with Damagum over the position of the national leadership on outstanding party issues.

Anyanwu can’t void NWC’s decision, says Ologunagba

Ologunagba said Anyanwu, who claimed to have voided the NWC’s decision, went beyond his constitutional role.

Citing the PDP Constitution, he said only the national chairman can summon any meeting of the party, adding that the 607th meeting was duly held and decisions binding on the party taken.

He said 16 of the 18 NWC members attended the meeting where the situation in the Akwa Ibom chapter was discussed and decision taken.

Ologunagba dismissed reports of a crisis between the acting national chairman and the national secretary over the conduct of congresses in some states and the setting up of a caretaker committee for the chapter.

He said it was important for every member of the NWC to understand their role as contained in the constitution to avoid violations.

The secretary, who also spoke on Channels Television last night, accused Anyanwu of promoting his personal interest

He said: ‘There was indeed a meeting of the NWC summoned by the national chairman in line with the constitution. It was attended by 16 of 19 members. The national secretary was absent, and having failed to issue the notice of meeting as directed by the chairman, the chairman exercised his powers under Section 29 of our constitution to summon the meeting. ‘Decisions were taken, including the dissolution of the Akwa Ibom executives, and I was directed to communicate same. That is what I did.’

He insisted that Anyanwu’s rejection of the decision was not in defence of party interest.

Ologunagba added: ‘What you are seeing is the projection of personal interest above the collective interest of the PDP. It is not in the duties of the national secretary to nullify decisions of the NWC simply because he was absent or disagrees personally,’ Ologunagba declared.

Explaining why the Akwa Ibom executives were dissolved, he said the NWC acted on reports that the state structure was compromised and in open alignment with the APC.

He said: ‘Section 10 (6) of our constitution is clear: no member of the party shall align with other parties or groups to undermine the PDP. The Akwa Ibom executive was openly controlled by the governor, who even boasted in public that he was in charge of PDP and APC in the state. For us, that was unacceptable.’

Ogidi: caretaker committee in order

The National Vice Chairman (Southsouth), Chief Emmanuel Ogidi defended the setting up of the caretaker committees for Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

He said: ‘Since the governors left, we thought all was well. We found out that a few people were taking advantage of it. The NWC of the party intervened and set up a caretaker committee to manage the affairs, pending when the issues would be resolved. It is an NWC decision that must be respected.’

Last month, members of the group met at the minister’s official residence in Abuja, warning that failure to meet their demands would ‘render the proposed convention invalid as legitimate members of the party would be disenfranchised.’

At the meeting were Wike; PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu; former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose; former Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu; and former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

The meeting was also attended by the Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, Senator Phillips Aduda, Senator George Sekibo, Micah Jiba, some serving and former members of the National Assembly, as well as some state chairmen and some BoT members.

A communique read by Ortom listed the demands:

Fresh congresses to be held in Ebonyi and Anambra states in compliance with subsisting court judgments;

A new Southeast Zonal Congress must be conducted.

The outcome of the Southsouth Congress in Calabar, upheld by the courts, must be respected;

PDP should conduct the Ekiti local government congresses in line with judicial pronouncements;

There should be no micro-zoning of offices beyond the general zoning formula adopted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) to maintain peace and stability; and

The national chairmanship position must remain in the Northcentral, consistent with the zoning arrangement of the 2021 convention.

Before the meeting, Wike, who had spoken on the preparations for the convention on a television station programme, said: ‘The issue of the national convention is not the problem; the issue is the problem leading to the convention, and people should understand that.

‘If they are not well taken care of, there is a likelihood that the convention will not hold.’

Wike also said the choice of venue was not in dispute, insisting that the party must resolve its internal issues before convening.

He stressed: ‘The venue is not the subject matter, the subject matter is: ‘Have you done what you were supposed to do before holding that convention? If not, it may be a setback.’

Women have been urged to increase their participation in governance and other sectors of the economy.

Speakers, who included the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande; wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello and board guru, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, made the call at the seventh Women in Governance Conference organised by the Association of Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria (ACGPN).

The event themed ”Women in Leadership: Navigating challenges and seizing opportunities” was held in Ikoyi, Lagos.

Olawande, who was represented, said though women empowerment is vital to national development, gender equality remained a societal issue. The minister who advised women to go out and shine, however, urged men to support women to achieve their goals.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu called for full representation of women in the future. With more empowerment, doors would open for them, said the governor’s wife, who was represented by the wife of the Commissioner for Transportation/member, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Mrs Oyinkan Oshiyemi.

Olatunji-Bello, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration), Prof Adenike Omotunde Moyo, charged women to be courageous and go for their goals and that nothing should deter them. She said when they meet barriers and glass walls, they should be hopeful as they were meant to be scaled or broken and that nothing could hold a willing mind back. Citing herself, the VC said it had not been a bed of roses as many might have erroneously thought, but that she, too, had mountains to surmount to get to her exalted position with good results. Hard work, she noted, as the mother of success.

She noted that with good leadership by women, mountains could be moved. ‘We are the leaders the world needs,” she added.

Ohuabunwa, who is the association’s President/Chairman-in-Council, said gone were the days when the number of women in the boards or heads of universities could be counted on the finger tips, adding that women were on the rise in government, banks, among others.

He said he had encountered over 20 institutions of high learning led by women and, also, female heads of service and permanent secretaries in civil service. ”The teaching and nursing professions are not dominated by female folks, and even professions that were seen as largely masculine are today led by women and that the president of the National Centre for Human Rights is a woman. ”Thus, it is clear that our women have made tremendous progress, though we still have a long way to go,” Ohuabunwa said

Despite the challenges, Ohuabunwa said, women should not be deterred from climbing higher.

He however decried the situation where some women were found guilty of malfeasance, saying such should be discouraged by them. Rather, he added, women should be role models in society.

He challenged women on accountability, fairness, and transparency in public and private. He congratulated the new fellows of the association.

A lawyer, Mrs Funmi Roberts, sought mentoring for younger women, especially lawyers. She counselled the young generation on patience, good conduct and training, saying the future belongs to those with the right skills. Mrs Funmi noted that the road to the top is rough and tough but that with patience, the young ones would achieve success. She pleaded with the old generation to put in place for grooming, adding that after all, they are the future leaders who should be trained to get it right.

Earlier, while welcoming participants to the ceremony, the WIG Conference Committee Chairman, Mrs Olufade Olufunke, said it was their objective to continue to create pathways where women could thrive and leave marks in leadership.

Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the speakers, among others.

Also at the event were the association’s National Treasurer, Princess Elemanya Ebila; National Administrator, Dr. Femi Mosaku-Johnson; ACGPN council member, Mr Filius Osunbor; General Manager, Lagos State Office For Disability Affairs, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal;Zonal Director, NTA Network Centre, Lagos, Dr. Evelyn Nwosu; among others.

Concerned tanker drivers from across the country have reaffirmed their confidence in the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its leadership under Comrade Augustine Egbon.

Drivers from Kaduna, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Warri zones at a press briefing yesterday disowned a group parading itself as the ‘PTD Elders Forum,’ describing its members as impostors with no recognition under PTD or NUPENG constitutions.

They appealed to security agencies to investigate and prosecute those behind the forum.

Speaking on behalf of Kaduna Zone, Bashir Izalan, said the group was unknown to PTD, stressing that Egbon’s leadership had been transparent and responsive to members’ welfare.

He noted that drivers benefited from union-backed insurance, medical support and intervention in workplace disputes.

Mr. Itanola Abiodun, representing Lagos Zone, maintained that the so-called elders were not members of the union, pointing out that every legitimate PTD member belonged to a unit and zone.

He urged the group to identify their units if they were genuine members, insisting that they were ‘hired hands’ out to destabilise the union.

From Port Harcourt Zone, Chukwudi Okafor dismissed allegations that PTD leadership mismanaged check-off dues and loading fees, clarifying that the funds, contributed by truck owners, are used for drivers’ health insurance and welfare.

He said members were satisfied with how resources are managed, urging the government to support PTD.

Dennis Akore of Warri Zone alleged that the controversy was linked to former PTD members who lost out in the July, last year’s delegates’ conference. He claimed the group was attempting to regain control of the union after being voted out by drivers.

Earlier, NUPENG President, Comrade Williams Akporeha, and General Secretary, Comrade Afolabi Olawale, had also warned against the activities of the ‘PTD Elders Forum,’ describing them as infiltrators working to sow disaffection within the union.

A few months ago, Roosevelt Ogbonna FCA, the Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, made headlines when he stepped down from his role as a Non-Executive Director on the bank’s Board. After three and a half years of dedicated service, his departure went largely unnoticed, particularly considering he still holds a substantial stake of 158,494,589 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2.7 million. However, this decision was not merely a coincidence; it was a strategic move to comply with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s Corporate Governance Guidelines for Financial Holding Companies established in 2023. These guidelines mandate that the Board of any Financial Holding Company can consist of no more than nine directors. Despite his resignation, Ogbonna continues to play a crucial role in shaping the bank’s expansion strategy, indicating that his influence within the organization remains significant.

Known for his love of a lavish lifestyle, Ogbonna embodies the philosophy that money is meant to be enjoyed. This belief persists, even as he maintains a diverse portfolio of investments across various sectors. He views spending as a reflection of hard work, not hesitating to indulge himself in moments of luxury when the occasion calls for it.

While he shuns the limelight and prefers to live a low-profile life, Ogbonna has a taste for the finer things. He is known for his impeccable fashion sense, often seen in sharp tuxedos, driving luxury cars, and showcasing a stunning collection of wristwatches. His penchant for style is balanced with a desire to enjoy life to its fullest extent.

Ogbonna’s real estate portfolio is equally impressive, boasting mansions in prestigious locations like Lagos and Abuja. Recently, he took his luxurious preferences global by acquiring a remarkable property in Hampstead, London, for £15 million (approximately $20 million).

This location, often dubbed ‘Billionaires’ Row,’ represents some of the most sought-after real estate in the UK, attracting the elite and affluent. The strategic timing of his purchase comes amid a cooling luxury housing market in London, which has been impacted by recent stamp duty increases and the scaling back of tax advantages for wealthy foreign buyers. Ogbonna’s acquisition thus signifies a tactical investment move, allowing him to capitalize on market conditions while enhancing his status among the world’s wealthiest individuals. This acquisition shows his negotiating skills and also study of the market and capitalizing on its loophole to his own advantage.

The naira struck a major rally yesterday as exchange rate at the parallel markets fell below official market, putting pressure on currency speculators.

The naira yesterday closed at N1,450 per dollar at the parallel markets, stronger than N1,475 per dollar it exchanged in the official window where banks and other financial institutions carry out transactions.

The naira had on Wednesday closed around N1,475 per dollar at the parallel market, sustaining relative stability at the official window.

At the parallel markets dominated by bureau de change operators and unofficial foreign exchange (forex) transactions, many operators traded at huge losses.

A Bureaux De Change (BDC) trader based in Ikeja, Lagos, Mohammed Gabi, said many FX dealers lost huge funds after selling below purchase rates as exchange rate gap narrowed.

‘Many BDC operators sold dollar below the purchasing amount as they feared further losses. We expect the trend to continue in the weeks ahead. Also, the expected dollar inflows to the economy will help strengthen the naira position against the dollar,’ he said.

Industry source said there has been increased dollar liquidity in the parallel market, which took many black market dealers unawares.

‘I can tell you that a lot of dollars came into the parallel market, forcing those holding back dollars to offload their funds with fear. If the trend, continues, we could see dollar exchanging around N1,400 per dollar as projected in many quarters,’ the source said.

Analysts at Commercio Partners, attributed the rally and gradual narrowing of the exchange rate gap to a combination of stronger demand for the naira, reduced speculative trading, and improved foreign reserves.

Head of Research at Commercio Partners, Ifeanyi Ubah, expressed optimism that the positive sentiment would be sustained in the near term, supported by increasing external buffers.

‘Nigeria’s rising external reserves are reflecting a healthier external position for the country. With reserves strengthening, speculative activity subsiding, and oil earnings supporting inflows, many market watchers believe the naira’s current rally has a stronger foundation compared to previous cycles of volatility,’ he said.

The local currency rebound is being driven by a combination of stronger demand for the naira, reduced speculative trading, and rising foreign reserves now at $43.05 billion.

CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso announced that gross external reserves remained robust at $43.05 billion on September 11, 2025, compared with $40.51 billion at end-July 2025 with an import cover of 8.28 months.

‘Similarly, the second quarter 2025 current account balance recorded a significant surplus of $5.28 billion compared with $2.85 billion in first quarter of 2025,’ Cardoso stated during the 302nd monetary policy committee meeting held this week in Abuja.

Analysts insist that the forex reforms instituted by the Cardoso-led CBN are stabilizing the exchange rates and improving overall health of the economy.

The reforms were instituted to entrench transparency, accountability and improve dollar access in the foreign exchange market.

President, Association of Bureaux De Change Operators of Nigeria (ABCON), Aminu Gwadabe, said the naira gains showed the level of creativity the Central Bank puts in ensuring that more forex flows into the economy and remain accessible to businesses

Obviously, food is important to terrorists because it energises them. Therefore, it makes sense to arrest people who supply food items to them, and also seize food items being transported to them.

The Chief of Military Public Information Office, Lt. Col. Kamarudeen Adegoke, said in a statement that personnel of the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), on October 11, intercepted 466 bags of food items, comprising 364 bags of beans and 102 bags of corn. They also arrested ’40 terrorist logistics suppliers’ on a suspected supply route in an operation against terrorist activities in the Lake Chad region, he stated.

He added that troops of 68 Battalion on a joint patrol with the Civilian Joint Task Force in the Mallam Fatori- Bandamari- Bari – Korarawon area, discovered and confiscated 12 bags of fish and nine donkeys allegedly used to carry supplies to terrorists in the Lake Chad basin region.

There are questions that demand answers. For how long have the arrested alleged suppliers been transporting food items to terrorists using the suspected routes? Why were they not caught before now? What will happen to them after their arrest?

Notably, the police, last year, had accused some arrested terrorism-related suppliers of criminal conspiracy. There is no doubt that such suppliers help terrorists to sustain their criminal activities. The fight against terrorism should be not only against terrorists but also those who aid them.

Such arrests should be a means of gathering intelligence that would advance the country’s fight against terrorism. It is not enough to arrest suppliers. Such arrests should lead to the capture of terrorists.

In a case that grabbed the headlines last year, the Force Intelligence Bureau -Intelligence Response Team (FIB-IRT) arrested members of a group that allegedly supplied drugs, bread and other food items to bandits operating in Zaria, Kaduna State and its environs.

They were apprehended at the Rigachikun base following a tip-off, and revealed that they usually supplied bread to bandits at Galadimawa, Damari, Kidandan and Awala camps in Birnin Gwari and Giwa local government areas, Kaduna State. One of them said they also supplied information to bandits which helped their kidnapping and cattle rustling operations.

Bakery owner Hassan Magaji, who was arrested, said: ‘The boom in my business began when I started supplying bread to bandits.’ He had an agreement with them that they would pay upfront for their bread supplies, and he made good profit doing business with them. ‘They started with bread worth N20, 000 and gradually increased it to N50, 000 a day,’ he said, adding that he made as much as N150,000 a week ‘after removing the cost of the ingredients.’

Nothing was heard about the food suppliers and their criminal customers after the report. There have also been reported arrests of suppliers of arms to bandits. Even, in one striking case, a housewife identified as Maryam Abubakar, in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was arrested for allegedly supplying women, including her daughters and nieces, to bandits in Galadimawa forest to satisfy their sexual needs. Lamentably, these arrests led nowhere.

The point bears repeating: It is pointless announcing the arrest of terrorism enablers, whether they are suppliers of drugs, food items, weapons or sex, if such arrests lead nowhere. Arresting suppliers should not be an end in itself, but should be a means to an end, which is the arrest of those who receive the supplies.

The large number of bags of beans, maize and fish seized from suspected suppliers recently can be said to suggest a great number of terrorists. Fighting terrorism must go beyond arresting suppliers. They should be tried and penalised. But ultimately, terrorists should be caught, prosecuted and punished.