Canada police arrest 18 suspects over ‘stolen vehicles’ worth $4.5m shipped to Nigeria, Ghana

 The police in Canada have arrested 18 persons for allegedly stealing vehicles valued at $4.5 million.

Cross Cresswell, a detective at the auto cargo theft unit of York Regional Police, made the announcement on Friday.

He said the arrests were made under Project Majestic, a police operation launched in December 2020.

Cresswell said the project was launched to address overnight vehicle theft of residents in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Speaking on the suspects’ mode of operation, the detective said cars are stolen under five minutes after a quick reprogramming of the ignition computer.

He identified some of the stolen cars to include Lexus and Toyota SUVs, adding that the cars are often shipped to Nigeria, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The group of thieves will target affluent residents area in the GTA. They will scout cars in the evening hours and return in the early morning hours. They will force their way into the vehicle and at that point they will be reprogramming the car’s computer to recognize their own key for the vehicle and they then complete the theft by removing it from the residents driveway,” he said.

“The vehicles that are targeted are because of their value overseas, especially Lexus and Toyota SUVs. They are quite valuable in the ports where they are being shipped to.

“The group would also operate at several levels with a group of thieves that would bring cars to our traffickers. The traffickers would then containarise those vehicles in sea containers and ship them to two main ports in Nigeria and Ghana. We have also seen the middle east being a new area where vehicles are shipped with the majority cars going to the United Arab Emirates.”

Cresswell said the police have recovered 60 high value vehicles with many other tracked on the sea.

He said the York police worked in collaboration with Toronto Police Auto Theft Suppression Project, the Peel Regional Police Commercial Auto Crime Unit and Peel Regional Police Criminal Investigations Bureaus.

The detective said 18 suspects have been charged with more than 170 offences.

He said investigators identified the criminal syndicate allegedly responsible for stealing high-end vehicles from residential driveways across the GTA following a two-month investigation.

Cresswell urged residents to park their vehicles in their garage or adopt use of traditional anti-theft devices such as a locking device for the car’s computer port.

- THECABLE

Cristiano Ronaldo wins Serie A player award, lists secrets of his success

 

Juventus forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, has said that persistence, confidence, work ethic and passion are the four secrets that allow him to keep playing football.

The 36-year-old said this on Friday after being named the Serie A player of the year (2020) for the second successive time.

Ronaldo had won the prize in 2019 after his debut season at Juventus. The 2020 awards didn’t take place last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Portugal captain scored 31 goals in 33 league games last season and helped Juventus to a record-extending ninth successive Serie A title.

Speaking after receiving the award on Friday in Italy, Ronaldo said: “At the beginning, it was hard to play in empty stadiums, but the aim was to win, and we did it.

“We missed the Champions League, but that’s how football is.

“I am happy and lucky. Persistence, confidence, work ethic, passion — those are all the secrets that allow me to keep playing.

“I feel motivated, and you have to be every year, otherwise you won’t manage to win at 34, 35, 36 or 40 years old.”

Ronaldo added, “Thanks to the players who voted for me, I feel very lucky.”

Ronaldo was also named in the Serie A team of 2020, which was made up of: Gianluigi, Donnarumma, Robin Gosens, Stefan de Vrij, Lenardo Bonucci, Theo Hernández, Luis Alberto, Nicolo Barella, Papu Gómez, Paulo Dybala, Ciro Immobile and Ronaldo.

- DAILY POST

Buhari’s 2015 campaign, biggest scam ever – Dino Melaye

 

Senator Dino Melaye has said the 2015 presidential campaign of President Muhammadu Buhari was the biggest scam ever pulled.

He stated this on Friday while speaking during a programme ”Politics Today” on Channels TV.

Melaye added that he is full of regret for supporting the candidacy of President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.

Recall that Buhari contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) six years ago and defeated ex-President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Melaye was among those who canvassed support for Buhari’s presidential ambition, having dumped the PDP for the ruling APC.

Six years down the line, the former federal lawmaker and PDP chieftain asked God and Nigerians for forgiveness, noting that this current administration is the worst in the nation’s history.

“I apologise to God almighty who is the supreme controller of the universe and Nigerians for supporting Buhari,” he said during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

“The Buhari agenda is the greatest scam that came out of Africa. The Buhari presidency in 2015 is the greatest scam that came out of Africa.

“The subject Buhari is the greatest that came out of Africa. Once I was blind, now I can see. How can one remain in a political party and support the presidency with what is happening today in Nigeria? I regret seriously supporting that because we were scammed,” he stated.

Senator Melaye also bemoaned what he described as corruption inherent in the ruling APC, noting that the current administration would inflate the amount of road contract.

Giving an instance, he wondered why the government would budget ₦2.1billion for the rehabilitation of one kilometre of road.

The PDP chieftain also spoke about the 2019 general elections where the main opposition fielded ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate.

He said based on available statistics the PDP won the election, accusing the APC-led Federal Government of ousting former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen during the electioneering period.

When asked if Atiku would join the 2023 presidential race again, the ex-lawmaker said although he is qualified to aspire for the highest office in the land, he (Melaye) is not in a position to speak for the ex-Vice President.

“Atiku Abubakar is qualified in all ramifications to run for the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is not for me to ask him to run or not to run. Whether he should or not, my opinion is immaterial.

“When we get to the presidential primaries, I will vote for an aspirant I feel is qualified to run for the PDP. That is my personal opinion,” he added.

On the security challenges facing the country, the PDP chieftain faulted the APC’s handling of the security issue in the land.

He noted that the Nigerian Army that has excelled in international peacekeeping operations have been reduced to a boy scout under the APC’s government.

Melaye stated further: “Nigerians are fed up with this NGO called the APC. The insecurity in this country, we have never seen anything like this, I cannot fathom it.

“The same Nigerian Army that did well in Sudan, Liberia, that went to Congo Brazzaville, that went to Sierra Leone, that has been going for United Nations’ assignments and flying in brighter colours is the same Army, Air Force, Navy that is behaving like a boy scout today all because of corruption, ineptitude.

“There is no governance in government. We have no President, the President is not available. It has never been this terrible.''

- PM NEWS

Policewoman, two others killed as Ekiti bye-election turns bloody

 

Three persons have been killed by thugs in the bye-election for Ekiti East constituency (I) seat in the state house of assembly.

A policewoman was among those killed when violence broke out during the election on Saturday.

The deceased policewoman is said to be a nursing mother.

The Ekiti East constituency (I) seat became vacant following the death of Juwa Adegbuyi, the former representative. Adegbuyi passed away in February.

Several vehicles were also vandalised during the violence at different polling units.

Biodun Olujimi, senator representing Ekiti South, narrowly escaped getting attacked by the thugs.

TheCable understands that the thugs went on a rampage in her polling units in Omuo Ekiti.

A witness said the thugs are in the employ of some politicians who have an interest in the bye-election.

The police command in the state had on Friday announced a restriction of movement ahead of the election.

Sunday Abutu, Ekiti police spokesperson, had said the restriction was to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

Abutu had said the restriction was for vehicular and pedestrian movement in and out of the Ekiti East LGA, except those on essential duties.

- THECABLE

Top 5 highest paid footballers in Europe emerge

 

Europe’s highest paid top footballers have been revealed with Barcelona’s Messi and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo taking the lead.

Messi is however, earning astonishingly more than twice the wages of his rival.

Recall that Messi’s Barcelona contract details were leaked earlier in the year and it was the biggest deal in sporting history.

And now French outlet, L’Equipe reports that the Argentina International’s salary breaks down to an incredible weekly wage of £2.1 million which is about £108.2 million yearly income.

Ronaldo is second on the list with £900,000 weekly from Juventus, according to L’Equipe and earns £46.7 million per year.

This is less than half of Messi’s salary.

Brazilian international and Paris Saint-Germain forward, Neymar, occupies the third position with the earnings of £606,000 per week (£31.5 million per year) from the French champions.

Joint fourth on the list, Luis Suarez, collects £575,000 per week from Atletico Madrid and Barca’s Antoine Griezmann earns something similar: just under £30 million per year, according to the report.

Another PSG star, Kylian Mbappe will apparently get a salary increase to €30 million per season if he signs a new contract with the club.

- DAILY POST

Armed herdsmen open gunfire on Gov. Ortom

 

Gun-toting herdsmen have attacked Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom near Makurdi, the capital.

According to Channels Television, the attack happened on Saturday at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road.

Briefing journalists, Governor Ortom said about 15 assailants trailed him to the river bank where he was on foot to inspect a farm.

The governor praised his six security details for responding quickly to the attack, repelling the assailants and providing cover for him to return to safety in his vehicles.

He said troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, the police and DSS have mobilised to the forest between Tyo-Mu and Abinse where the armed herdsmen camped to comb the area.

He also called for the arrest and prosecution of the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

The group at a meeting in Yola reportedly called for Ortom’s assassination.

Ortom said he would send a formal petition to President Muhammadu Buhari and the security chiefs.

- PM NEWS

‘Drop box’ visa applications not available in Nigeria, US embassy clarifies

 The United States embassy in Nigeria says the restriction on drop box service or interview waiver for those renewing visas has not been lifted.

The US state department had recently announced the expansion of interview waiver eligibility.

Previously, only applicants whose nonimmigrant visa expired within 24 months were eligible for an interview waiver but it was temporarily extended the expiration period to 48 months.

However, Nigeria was removed from the waiver eligibility in 2018 but the recent announcement was misunderstood to mean applicants from the country would now qualify.

The embassy, in a statement posted across its social media platforms on Friday, said despite media reports, the interview waiver scheme remains suspended in Nigeria.

According to the embassy, those who want to travel from Nigeria must apply for a visa and appear for an interview.

The embassy explained that each country eligibility is assessed based on numerous factors like overstay rate and visa-related fraud.

“’Drop Box’ visa processing is not available in Nigeria, according To U.S. mission To Nigeria,” the embassy said.

“Despite recent media reports, the nonimmigrant visa interview waiver process, popularly known as the “drop box,” has been discontinued in Nigeria since 2018.

“The State Department continually evaluates each country’s eligibility based on numerous factors including overstay rates and visa-related fraud.

“U.S. Mission Nigeria is committed to promoting legitimate travel to the United States. All applicants who wish to apply for a visa must kindly appear for an interview.” 

 TheCable had reported that the suspension of the “drop box” application or interview waiver visa for renewing US visas, took effect in May 14, 2019.

 On Tuesday, the US embassy said it would revisit the immigrant visa applications from Nigerians that were rejected under the Trump administration.

- THECABLE