Author: Dodo Elias Denen

With no fewer than 25,000 Nigerian civil servants having accessed the recently established consumer credit scheme, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of CREDICORP, Engr. Uzoma Nwagba has re-assured Nigerians of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to using the scheme to provide access to life enhancing goods and services for the citizenry.

Engr. Nwagba gave the assurance recently on a working invitation by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Madam Didi Esther Walson-Jack, recognizing the impact of CREDICORP in providing credit for life-enhancing goods and services to civil servants.

During the visit, Nwagba briefed the host about activities of CREDICORP and also introduced the Corporation’s CALM Fund specifically targeting access to CNG conversions and Solar panels. He emphasised that civil servants are beneficiaries.

The CREDICORP chieftain expressed hope for his organization’s continued and deeper engagements with the civil service in its efforts to ensure that no fewer than 400,000 civil servants have access to credit by second quarter of 2025, even as the access to the general public has also commenced in earnest.

The Nigerian Navy Forward Operating Base (FOB) Badagry has successfully rescued four young women, aged between 19 and 24 years, suspected to be victims of human trafficking. The incident occurred on October 21, 2024, during a routine patrol conducted by the base’s Quick Response Team (QRT) at a jetty in Badagry.

According to a press statement released by Navy Captain Bitebobo Augustus Amakiri, Commanding Officer of FOB Badagry, the victims were found aboard a fiber boat traveling from Mile 2 to Panshi Jetty. The QRT, performing a routine stop-and-search operation, discovered that the women appeared confused about their destination and revealed that they were instructed to call a contact number upon arrival in Panshi, where they were to be picked up for transport to the Republic of Benin, allegedly for promises of a better life.

Upon interrogation, it became clear that the young women were unaware of their final destination, raising suspicion of human trafficking. As a result, they were immediately taken into protective custody at the base while authorities initiated further investigations.

On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Nigerian Navy handed the rescued women over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at its zonal office in Ikeja, Lagos, for continued investigation and prosecution of those involved in the trafficking operation. The handover was conducted in accordance with the Harmonized Standard Procedures on Arrest, Detention, and Prosecution (HSOP-AD&P) guidelines, which were established in 2016 to ensure proper management and care of victims.

Captain Amakiri emphasized that this successful interception was just one of several recent efforts by the Nigerian Navy in combating human trafficking. He noted that, since July 2024, FOB Badagry has handed over a total of 43 young women to NAPTIP and the Nigeria Immigration Service, highlighting the Navy’s ongoing commitment to fighting human trafficking and ensuring maritime security within its area of responsibility (AOR). These efforts align with the Chief of Naval Staff’s Strategic Directive 2023-6, which seeks to guarantee a safe and secure maritime environment for Nigeria and the broader Gulf of Guinea region.

The Nigerian Navy’s sustained operations and partnerships with agencies like NAPTIP demonstrate the country’s resolve to clamp down on trafficking networks, which have long exploited Nigeria’s maritime corridors. Human trafficking remains a significant concern in the region, with traffickers often targeting vulnerable individuals with false promises of better living conditions and employment opportunities abroad.

NAPTIP, which has been at the forefront of addressing human trafficking in Nigeria, is expected to take up the investigation, ensuring that those responsible for the exploitation of these young women face justice. The agency will also work on providing the necessary support for the victims, including psychological counseling and rehabilitation, to help them reintegrate into society.

In his closing remarks, Captain Amakiri reaffirmed the Nigerian Navy’s commitment to securing Nigeria’s waters and curbing illegal activities such as trafficking. He called on all relevant stakeholders to remain vigilant and work collaboratively to eliminate human trafficking and other crimes that threaten the safety and well-being of individuals within the region.

The successful rescue of these four women serves as a reminder of the ongoing dangers posed by human trafficking, but it also underscores the positive outcomes that can be achieved through dedicated security efforts and inter-agency cooperation. The Nigerian Navy, in collaboration with NAPTIP, continues to strive toward a safer and more secure future for all Nigerians.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone-2 command, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, has made significant strides in combating crime within his first thirty days in office. AIG Adegoke announced the successful arrest of two suspected criminals involved in various offenses, including criminal conspiracy, housebreaking, theft, impersonation, forgery, and activities likely to cause a breach of peace in Ogun and Lagos states.

A press statement released following the parade of suspects detailed the case of Chief Olasode O. Martins, who filed a petition on July 11, 2024, after a criminal syndicate broke into his premises, stealing his white Range Rover SUV. The case was referred to the Anti-Piracy Unit, led by Superintendent of Police (SP) Mariam Ogunmolasuyi, known for her commitment and expertise in combating emerging crime trends. SP Ogunmolasuyi and her team acted swiftly, using intelligence and call log analysis to track down the culprits.

The investigation revealed that the theft had been orchestrated by Martins’ former personal assistant, Salaudeen Abdulbaki. Abdulbaki, who had previously resigned from his position, used a duplicated key and his knowledge of his former boss’s schedule to gain access to the property and steal the SUV. He also impersonated his boss by contacting the estate security guards using a SIM card purchased specifically for the operation, which he later destroyed. Abdulbaki was arrested at his hideout in Nasarawa, Abuja, and the stolen SUV was recovered. He confessed to masterminding the crime with the help of accomplices, admitting to facilitating the vehicle’s transportation to Nasarawa and Abuja.

The second suspect, 33-year-old Francis Istifanus, was arrested in connection with the theft and sale of industrial equipment worth over N39 million while working as a security guard at a warehouse in Ajah, Lagos. Istifanus confessed to stealing items including an industrial oven, Mitsubishi air conditioner, gas cooker, generator set, and other equipment, which were distributed to buyers across the country. He was apprehended at his hideout in Abuja, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects involved in the syndicate.

SP Mariam Ogunmolasuyi, recognized for her outstanding investigation skills, received the Inspector General of Police (IGP) commendation during the Police Award and Commendation ceremony in April 2024. She was also honored as the “Investigative Officer of the Year 2024” by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).

In a separate operation, a 36-year-old suspect, Ibrahim Babatunde, was arrested for cultism and illegal possession of firearms. Babatunde, an ex-convict and suspected member of the notorious EIYE confraternity, was apprehended following intelligence gathered by the police regarding his activities in the Ijoko-Ota and Sango areas of Ogun State. During the raid on his hideout in Sango-Ota, officers recovered two locally made single-barrel pistols and two live cartridges, which Babatunde admitted to purchasing from Benin Republic. He confessed to being a member of the EIYE confraternity, and efforts are ongoing to arrest his accomplices.

AIG Adegoke’s actions reflect his commitment to eradicating crime and ensuring the safety of residents in Ogun and Lagos states, reinforcing the police force’s determination to maintain law and order across the region.

…Mann El Amine is new GMD, Abhulime Ehiagwina Now Acting CEO For Smile Nigeria.

Pan African Telecommunications group, Smile Communication with firm foothold in Nigeria, has appointed a seasoned telecommunications technocrat, Mann El Amine as its Group Managing Director (GMD). The Telco also appointed Abhulime Ehiagwina, an astute financial expert as the Acting Chief Executive Officer for Nigeria, which is the hub of its continental operations.

Mann El Amine brings to his new role more than 28 years of solid extensive experience in telecommunications and executive management. He evolved from operational roles (technical and commercial) to general management, and experienced wide range of telecom fields such as mobile operations, international wholesale carriers and submarine cables systems coupled with an in-depth exposure to renewable energy and Data Centers activities.

A high stake negotiator, El Amine’s other core competencies range from Mergers and Acquisitions to Visionary leadership and Organisational Restructuring.
Prior to joining Smile Communication, he was with ME Consulting in Dubai, UAE, where he provided consulting services to the telecommunications sector and offered renewable energy solutions to IT groups during organizational transitions.

In the cause of his rich and varied career that spanned the United Kingdom, Egypt, Congo DR, Syria and Lebanon, El Amine has held several senior management positions, starting as Engineering Manager at France Telecom Mobile Liban-Cellis in 1994 and rising to Senior Vice President for Data Centers at Damac Group in March 2017.

A Rennes I University, France 1991 Maîtrise graduate in Electronics and Automation, he also holds a DEA in Robotics from Paris VI University, France (1993).

He has held the directorship of several technology focused companies.

The Smile Telecom Group also announced the appointment of Abhulime Ehiagwina, as the Acting CEO for Smile Nigeria. A multi-disciplinary C-suite executive and thought leader, Ehiagwina brings to the role a wealth of experience leading finance teams across various industries, including telecommunications, infrastructure, oil and gas, and conglomerates.

He has a proven track record in strategic leadership, operational improvement, and corporate restructuring. He is adept at managing organisational renewal and enhancing overall corporate efficiency.
Ehiagwina’s career also includes roles such as Chief Financial Officer at NATCOM (NTEL), Chief Financial Officer and Board Member at Helios Towers Nigeria, was also a board director at Interswitch, Acting Chief Financial Officer at Etisalat Nigeria, and several senior finance positions at Celtel, Total PLC, and John Holt PLC.

Numbered among his key achievements include implementing effective working capital management strategies for telecommunications companies including Leading the issuance of a successful $250m Eurobond for Helios Towers Nigeria, the first non-bank /Oil & Gas Eurobond issuance in Nigeria.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA), he holds a BSc in Accounting from Obafemi Awolowo University and an MBA from the University of Lagos. He has attended many executive education programmes including the Advanced Management & Leadership Programme at Said Business School of Oxford University in the United Kingdom. 


The Nigerian Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla, led a high-ranking delegation to the 5th Sea Power for Africa Symposium (SPAS) held in Cape Town, South Africa, from October 15 to 17, 2024. Accompanied by Rear Admiral Noel Musa Madugu, the Naval Director of Administration, and Commodore Chikaji Aminu Isah, the Defence Attaché to South Africa, Vice Admiral Ogalla joined naval leaders from across the continent to address pressing issues surrounding Africa’s maritime security.

Themed “Good Order at Sea in the African Maritime Domain,” the symposium focused on strategies for safeguarding Africa’s vast and resource-rich maritime domain. Discussions centered on emerging non-traditional threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, and maritime crime, which undermine regional stability and economic growth.

In his keynote address, Vice Admiral Ogalla underscored Africa’s maritime potential, noting that the continent’s maritime resources could generate over USD 405 billion by 2030, including USD 100 million from coastal tourism, and create 57 million jobs. He stressed the importance of sustainable management of these resources as key drivers of economic growth and food security.

Vice Admiral Ogalla highlighted the African Integrated Maritime Strategy (AIMS) as a critical framework for developing Africa’s ocean economy in a secured maritime environment. He noted that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) is expected to increase intra-African freight by 28% and demand for maritime transport by 62%. He also pointed out that maritime activities contribute more than 20% of national revenues for some African nations, emphasizing the need to secure these waters from a wide range of non-traditional threats.

Nigeria’s role in ensuring maritime security was spotlighted, with Vice Admiral Ogalla citing the country’s success in implementing a Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy. This approach, which includes surveillance, rapid response, and law enforcement, helped remove Nigeria from the list of piracy-prone countries in March 2022, a status it has maintained since. He urged African navies and coast guards to strengthen security cooperation to protect maritime borders, ensuring the region’s economic prosperity.

Vice Admiral Ogalla also emphasized the environmental aspects of maritime security, calling for decisive action to prevent oil spills, reduce waste dumping, and ensure sustainable fisheries management. He noted that the protection of Africa’s maritime domain is essential for long-term food security and regional stability.

The 5th Sea Power for Africa Symposium provided a platform for African states to collaborate on securing their maritime domain, with Nigeria playing a significant role in fostering a collective maritime security agenda.