CHANNELSTV — broadcast 20260806 080000 UTC 499 transcript segments Google Speech-to-Text API Automatic Transcription (Chirp) Data courtesy of The GDELT Project (https://www.gdeltproject.org/), from the Internet Archive TV News Archive. Machine transcription. Treat it as a searchable index of what was broadcast, not a verbatim quotation record. [00:00:21] 23° of celsius here in Abuja, the federal capital [00:00:24] territory. Good morning and welcome to [00:00:27] of your of daily dose of [00:00:28] of sunshine, sunrise day. [00:00:31] of but what i can tell you is that the sky is heavy [00:00:35] with rain here in lagas, but guess what, it's still [00:00:38] of 26 degrees according to the weather man and [00:00:42] it's the 20 is the sixth day in the month of august [00:00:45] 2026, i say welcome [00:00:52] do have quite a bit lined up for you today, some [00:00:55] of them positive, some [00:00:56] of them not so positive about certainly We will be [00:01:00] getting to the issue [00:01:02] of the [00:01:02] of rescue of over 308 [00:01:05] Kwara and Niger State Abducties who were taken from their [00:01:09] homes a few months ago. Well, yes, we have [00:01:13] seen the dramatic and miraculous rescue of [00:01:17] children uh who were taken in all your state. As [00:01:20] a result of that, the residents of Wuro and Kayama [00:01:24] communities started a protest uh, where they [00:01:28] also said the people were taken... day before the or your [00:01:31] children were taken uh, but that how many days on the [00:01:35] people were still in captivity, but yesterday we were [00:01:39] able to get news that uh these people [00:01:42] of have now been freed, not just the people taking inquire state, but some [00:01:46] others taken in Niger state as well, well we certainly will [00:01:50] get to that today speaking with people uh who [00:01:54] are from those communities because we understand that uh they are [00:01:58] still [00:01:58] of very much the people who have now been freeed are still very much within uh the [00:02:02] protective custody [00:02:04] of the military who freed them uh and undergoing [00:02:08] medical checks [00:02:09] of before they will eventually be released to their [00:02:12] of communities, but this morning I was starting off a [00:02:15] of political note and this is from Oshin State, especially as this [00:02:19] conversation between the Catholic bishops and the president [00:02:23] continues to [00:02:24] of rage on as to whether or not um you know level playing [00:02:28] field will be provided in the elections uh, putting [00:02:32] in front of it, the elections happening in ocean state in [00:02:36] less than two weeks, what am I saying? about 10 days from now, there will [00:02:40] be governorship elections in Osun state, we do [00:02:44] know that the governor [00:02:45] of the state belongs to another party, it's called the accord party, he [00:02:48] used to be [00:02:49] of the PDP, but has since defected to [00:02:52] of another political [00:02:53] of party, well yesterday he invited [00:02:56] media houses and let out loud cry, that the [00:03:00] state's statutory accounts have now [00:03:03] of been frozen by the economic and financial crimes [00:03:06] commission, well the EFCC did not deny it, [00:03:10] they quickly came out as well [00:03:12] of with a statement saying that they have frozen, [00:03:15] indeed, they [00:03:16] in put a personal debit order on the account which [00:03:20] they say was triggered by unusual [00:03:23] in funds movement uh detected from the 2nd of [00:03:26] August this year, according to them, they had been in investigating [00:03:30] the oshin state account from about March this [00:03:34] year uh because of a fraugulent handling, [00:03:38] alleged now, alleged fraudelent handling of about [00:03:41] 11 billion naira ecology [00:03:44] of funds, intervention funds and the federal account [00:03:48] allocation committee moneys, so they [00:03:52] said they have been investigating way before now, but it said this year, but [00:03:56] from the second of this month they noticed an unusual [00:04:00] um outflow from the state accounts and so they put [00:04:04] out a statement uh given the first bank [00:04:07] where the accounts [00:04:09] of the ocean state government are [00:04:11] of being held [00:04:12] of to post [00:04:16] of of no debit on the account. according to them i'm reading from their statement now they say this ongoing [00:04:20] of investigations [00:04:20] of the state government would not have warranted any placement of [00:04:24] personal debit order in its [00:04:26] of account of but for the precipitate and unwarranted [00:04:30] movement of funds from the accounts to different suspicious [00:04:34] accounts since August the 2nd this year, they insist that [00:04:37] their [00:04:38] a timing a is not politically motivated, but can [00:04:42] they [00:04:42] of really say that? that's the question, especially when you know that elections [00:04:46] are just few days away, well people who should know about it [00:04:50] are already commented on it, the NBA, the Nigerian [00:04:53] association is saying that [00:04:57] um, any this this directive, stricting [00:05:00] withdrawals from accounts belonging to a state [00:05:03] government would effectively cripple governance and [00:05:07] amounts to an abuse of power, well they [00:05:11] say that the AFCC could seek court orders against [00:05:15] specific accounts suspected to be linked to [00:05:18] fraud, but insists that the commission cannot [00:05:21] lawfully freeze all accounts belonging to a [00:05:25] state government, but this [00:05:26] is going to be the subject of some litigation, and [00:05:29] we believe that we've not heard the last of it, but right now some people will say [00:05:33] that this uh puts into doubt this question of level [00:05:37] playing field, if somebody will say, [00:05:41] well uh should they... state government, if indeed it is true, [00:05:44] should he dip his hands into state government coughers to run [00:05:48] elections? uh, there'll be questions as to that, because it does [00:05:52] appear that this is what the EFCC is alleging and says is trying to [00:05:56] stop, that's it will be on the one hand, but at the same time, can they [00:05:59] take this sort of step? there is no way to say that this uh does not have [00:06:03] any political insinuation uh to it when it's coming [00:06:07] few days before the elections and i don't know whether [00:06:11] you also think that this put into Jopady this claim the [00:06:15] President that INEC is neutral and that there's going to be [00:06:18] level playing field as the elections approach [00:06:22] if we're to go by what is happening in Osum? well for now I [00:06:26] think I'll start with the point that the last point that you made, does any [00:06:30] state government need um its own money to [00:06:34] run any aspect of any election, particularly an election [00:06:38] that is being organized by um the federal government so to speak. [00:06:42] through um INEC, which according to the president, is [00:06:45] independent, so whether they there is [00:06:49] any need for the state government to invest any money in the election or [00:06:53] not, particularly one that is organized [00:06:56] by the federal aec, I think that's another you [00:07:00] know conversation, to look at that from together all together, [00:07:04] and indeed the timing is definitely auspicious, someone will, some [00:07:08] people will make those allusions to political [00:07:10] timing, trality: we all know of [00:07:14] course that the state governor cannot be uh come [00:07:18] under any kind of criminal investigation now because the immunity [00:07:22] clause, however the resources the state does not [00:07:25] enjoy the same kind of immunity, so that's another conversation all [00:07:29] together, but you know the what the while we are all focusing [00:07:33] focusing and rightly so on the position the [00:07:37] EFCC um saying that they do not have the [00:07:41] right to that to to put a stop order [00:07:45] any account of a state government without a quote [00:07:48] order, there is another law that [00:07:52] empowers the EFCC via a small window, [00:07:56] consequently the term they use, stop order or post-no [00:08:00] debit order, which is section 6 [00:08:03] sub5b the money laundering prevention and prohibition [00:08:07] act of 2022, which says and quote, [00:08:11] not withstanding the provisions of paragraph A of this subsection, the [00:08:15] chairman the EFCC or his authorized representative shall place a stop [00:08:18] order not exceeding 72 hours any account [00:08:22] or transaction, if it is discovered in the course their duties, that such an [00:08:26] account or transaction is suspected to be involved any crime [00:08:30] underscore any crime, so is the EFCC [00:08:34] allegging a crime, are there certain individuals that have [00:08:37] been uh fingered or that have been suspected, particularly [00:08:41] within the... uh state government, if so, and [00:08:45] the this investigation has been on for a while, the question i want to ask is why not do this [00:08:49] earlier, why now? you know, definitely the concerns [00:08:53] are very original, whether or not the EFCC [00:08:56] is uh legally authorized to do what they have done, [00:09:00] that's according to the laws, it would seem like they have a limited [00:09:04] window of no more than 72 hours to place what they call a stop [00:09:07] order, whether or not it has anything to do with this election, I guess [00:09:11] that's another... matter all together. I'm not sure if we have heard this before, [00:09:15] and if we have, definitely the questions will arise as to [00:09:19] whether or not this is some surrepticious way or not [00:09:23] the federal government putting its finger in the elections in [00:09:27] state. Well, let's not forget [00:09:31] that it's not the first time that the oshin state government is screaming [00:09:35] foul. They came [00:09:36] out when the SSG the states, that's a secretary to the [00:09:40] state government was arrested. It said his. not the not the [00:09:43] EFCC now, but some security agents uh arrested him and [00:09:47] took him to Abuja, they said he carried out search and his home uh, they [00:09:51] also arrested about 80 people in Oshin State who are supporters the [00:09:55] governor, so these um allegations have been out there for a bit [00:09:59] now, you also suggesting some interference, [00:10:03] but let us let you listen to what the governor offian [00:10:06] state uh is a legend [00:10:09] here, This [00:10:12] morning we receive letter from [00:10:16] our banker forwarding letter from the [00:10:19] EFCC instructing the bank to [00:10:23] phrase or state government [00:10:26] account, this [00:10:29] action was taken without any court [00:10:32] order, we are supposed to be in [00:10:36] democracy where the rule of law [00:10:40] must always prevail, we will [00:10:43] therefore not accept any situation [00:10:47] where we have we are federal agencies [00:10:50] trample on the constitutional right of subnational [00:10:54] governments. This is a thread to [00:10:58] democracy, if we all keep [00:11:01] quiet and allow this [00:11:04] illegality, very soon, whatever is [00:11:07] left of our democracy will be fully [00:11:11] eruded. All I [00:11:14] ask is for the EFC chairman to [00:11:18] explain to the good people of state and to the [00:11:22] Nigerians in general, why if grows on state [00:11:25] government account and show proof to support [00:11:29] whatever reason he [00:11:31] presents. these and [00:11:34] all and all illegal [00:11:37] illegalities being visited a shoe say is turning [00:11:41] our democracy into a huge huge [00:11:45] joke. well [00:11:49] that is the governor of washin state um [00:11:52] making the allegations that the cc [00:11:55] or the federal government is trying to make huge joke of nigeria's [00:12:05] immediately. you've seen the picture right there the [00:12:08] 308 victims of [00:12:11] kidnapping who were taken by uh the [00:12:14] abductors a few months ago, now rescued [00:12:18] by joint forcess of nigeria security [00:12:22] agencies. are we understand for now? They are [00:12:26] with uh the Nigerian military, they [00:12:28] under their custody where they are undergoing checks, medical checks [00:12:32] before they eventually released to their [00:12:36] communities. Uh, this morning we're joined by Mr. [00:12:39] Umar Sulaiman, who is the president of Kayama Development [00:12:43] Association here in Abuja, unfortunately we couldn't get [00:12:47] him into the studios, but he joins us now uh via [00:12:51] telephone. Mr. Suleiman, good morning, I'm sure that... This [00:12:55] news must come as huge relief to members of [00:12:59] your community, at what time did it break to you [00:13:02] yesterday? [00:14:03] um, we are still a waiting more details from the military, but first and foremost we would like to say [00:14:07] big thank you to the [00:14:09] president, and the [00:14:13] Nigeria military, and our governor, Mahalam Abdulraman [00:14:17] Abdulazak, who hasn't rested since it happened and he has been [00:14:21] on it, when people ask what is he doing, what has been doing? one [00:14:25] behind the scenes, but because it's a security issue, there's nobody, we can't tell [00:14:29] people about what we are doing, but to God be the glory, they have been [00:14:32] released, as we expecting more details, once the [00:14:36] details are with us, we would definitely share [00:14:40] with the [00:14:40] media, [00:15:02] the day begins with news gathering and research. we need to confirm the [00:15:06] story, [00:15:10] directors as well as policy makers. from the business [00:15:14] district to the corporate, the policy, actions and even [00:15:17] inaction of both, the fiscal and the monetary [00:15:20] authorises make impact. 90% of Nigeria's economy [00:15:24] is [00:15:25] in the informal sector, just like this market, and take for example, [00:15:28] they're impacted by government policies like inflation rates, [00:15:32] prices, keep going [00:15:35] up. 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[00:16:45] Well indeed Mr. Umar Sulaiman is ready for us now, he [00:16:49] is a president of kayama development association here in [00:16:53] Abuja. Mr. Sulaiman, thank you once more for joining [00:16:56] us. I want to know when was it that you heard about this [00:17:00] news and how did you hear about [00:17:13] to hear this news, it was [00:17:15] around five o'clock yesterday [00:17:19] that I was called to inform that these [00:17:23] adopties were freeed by the adopters, we are very [00:17:27] happy, it was a joyful moment for everybody in the [00:17:31] world ka [00:17:34] generally, everybody was happy. calls for [00:17:38] everywhere to celebrate your freedom, we are very [00:17:41] happy, we are very, very happy, we appreciate [00:17:45] everybody make contribution [00:17:49] to this effect, thank you, well we know that the [00:17:52] details the release has still is still quite [00:17:56] sketchy, but what we do know is that they were held [00:18:00] around the kinji national park, and apparently it [00:18:04] wasn't just the people from your community, even though you've told us that [00:18:08] bariten borders Niger state and is closer to Niger than [00:18:12] it is to lorin, the state capital of your [00:18:15] state uh, but what do you what do you know about the [00:18:19] details right now of how they they were freeed? have you been able to [00:18:23] speak with anyone in that [00:18:25] community? yes, i [00:18:29] did speak with the chief the community of world [00:18:31] community till [00:18:35] now [00:18:36] you see ' unknown uh, he [00:18:40] was on, he is not able to speak with because [00:18:44] his wife was among the vitins, he has a wife there, [00:18:48] two children, also two or three children are also there, he [00:18:52] has siblings and neighbors [00:18:56] and many other people there, but one good news is the fact [00:18:59] that people [00:19:01] around, world they were able to [00:19:05] attest the fact that uh the [00:19:07] 1766 were among the [00:19:11] 308 people that were freeed [00:19:13] by the Nigerian security agencies, that is the [00:19:17] fact we know, but what we know also is the [00:19:20] fact that they are still in the custody the military or the security [00:19:24] agencies that carry out the operation to to free [00:19:28] them uhmen [00:19:31] and kind of test [00:19:35] and treatment is being given. to them to ensure that their health [00:19:39] is is okay before they are move to their various [00:19:43] state because the fact is that there are people [00:19:47] from nanger the are also [00:19:50] you know part the rescue [00:19:53] so after the examination [00:19:57] in the wa [00:20:01] the the moved to the state the state capital some will be [00:20:04] moved to those [00:20:07] are from community. will be moved to ilori, why those from menja will be moved [00:20:11] to uh, there are also indication that there are [00:20:15] some people from uh and may be moved to [00:20:19] bring kb for further medical [00:20:21] assessment, [00:20:24] well they were found in the kainji [00:20:27] national park area and this certainly says a lot [00:20:31] about the coordination of activities, mean if we do [00:20:35] have people from keby state people from Niger state, people [00:20:38] from Kwara state, what it points to is that it [00:20:42] was the same terrorist group that carried out attacks in [00:20:46] these places that have been responsible for what we're now saying. what we [00:20:50] saw in Niger uh and Quara as [00:20:53] well uh for you, what does this say about what state [00:20:57] government needs to do when they hear [00:21:00] subsequent news of perhaps another attack in one [00:21:04] community? [00:21:08] uh, [00:21:08] you know, security issue is [00:21:11] everybody concern, [00:21:14] you know, it it affects [00:21:18] everybody, whether you are. there or you are not leaving there [00:21:22] because uh the the [00:21:24] terrorists are are moving from one place to another, they are not [00:21:28] stationary, but these ones they [00:21:32] they they they are about by at the [00:21:36] Kanjil national park, they are there, there is where where the camps [00:21:40] are, and they move around around the [00:21:43] neighbor community around karara, [00:21:47] kb you and... [00:21:52] the crime and whatever the government can [00:21:56] do must be done to ensure that this area [00:22:00] is free of terrorism. one major [00:22:03] cause of this institurity problem in that [00:22:07] area is the fact that the baugu [00:22:11] national park remain a very a big [00:22:14] out for this criminals [00:22:17] so [00:22:19] the part. was meant to be t [00:22:23] place where you know natural inhabitants [00:22:26] should uh reserve for future [00:22:29] you know generation is being turn to the camp of [00:22:33] criminals so effort must be made by government to [00:22:37] ensure that this criminal are cleared from that camp that [00:22:40] camp is that forest that forest has become [00:22:44] a hide out place for all sort of criminals so [00:22:48] that forest must be fs of [00:22:51] terrorists, criminal and [00:22:53] and human activities must be [00:22:56] improved in [00:22:57] that in that forest, finding [00:23:01] activities, even the the personers [00:23:04] or begin reserv can't even assess the forest anymore, [00:23:08] critical infrastructure are destroyed by these criminals, [00:23:12] so [00:23:12] it is very important for the government to ensure that that forest is good [00:23:16] to use or is being you know uh free from this [00:23:20] criminal and and over to the communities for properization and [00:23:24] besides that the major issue that is causing [00:23:27] this crime, this terrorism [00:23:31] that area is the road, the road infrastructure is very [00:23:35] very poor, he made their movement very easy, [00:23:39] he made their activity very easy and the [00:23:42] rescue missions, rescue operations are very hard because [00:23:46] there are no good rs [00:23:49] Nigeria [00:24:04] to southern [00:24:05] Nigeria [00:24:09] I don't think criminals will have the opportunity to do what they are doing [00:24:13] there, there is need for the government to ensure that that road is [00:24:17] fixed, [00:24:18] that road is fixed, not just the... the [00:24:20] the the security enhancement that will be benefited to [00:24:24] everybody, the economy benefit will be huge, because it [00:24:28] will serve as autality for everybody to use, and I think [00:24:32] government must come together, the federal government, the state [00:24:35] governments in menja state, even [00:24:38] k should come together to ensure that that road is [00:24:42] fixed and the forest is put to use [00:24:46] to proper utilization so that this criminal cannot find hiding place. [00:24:50] any of our forage or any of our land? well, I do [00:24:54] know, I mean, I'm looking at this photograph of this retarnies, of [00:24:58] this abducties, and you know, one can only imagine what they [00:25:02] have been through in the last uh, five months or so that they have been taken [00:25:06] now from their communities, some we see the women there, some [00:25:10] them with children, you're wondering what were they eating, uh, [00:25:13] were they under the elements, we do know that this is the rainy season and we [00:25:17] know that the rainy season uh around this year period can be [00:25:21] quite unkind and here they are in forest, [00:25:25] you know, it must have been a really harrowing experience for [00:25:28] them, how do you think that they will be able to [00:25:32] reintegrate into the communities? are there any special [00:25:36] plans that those who were left or those who are [00:25:38] remaining have for this people upon their [00:25:42] eventual return to the [00:25:44] communities? honestly uh, you [00:25:48] have said all the... uh we know uh whenever [00:25:52] you are adopted in whatever condition you are [00:25:56] put [00:25:57] you you cannot get the best of you health you cannot get the [00:26:01] best of accommodation cannot get the best of feeding, you [00:26:04] cannot get the best of your life. actually these people have [00:26:08] went to lot through lot, they have suffer a lot, [00:26:12] and one important thing the government must do is to ensure that they are [00:26:16] rehabilitated, they are supported, they are reintegrated [00:26:20] to the society, in fact some them lost the their lost [00:26:24] one in the attack that came about 300 lives, [00:26:28] some them lost their parents, some them lost their wives, some them lost [00:26:31] their... siblings in fact some them are are [00:26:35] already ups, so there is need for government to take a [00:26:39] proper assessment of all these to ensure that [00:26:42] people are rehabilitated and integrated to the [00:26:45] society, the people are supported financially [00:26:49] to to go back to their business, because after the attack and during the attack [00:26:53] a lot of assets were destroyed, [00:26:57] houses were destroyed, businesses were [00:27:01] destroyed, [00:27:10] so there is need for government the state the federal government and even the [00:27:14] local government to ensure that this assess proper assessment you do [00:27:17] taking to integrate these people [00:27:20] to to support these people to ensure that they have they can [00:27:24] stand back on their feet they can they can [00:27:28] go back to their normal lives in fact the community must be [00:27:31] rebuild. [00:27:36] the the shops that were destroyed, the houses that were [00:27:39] born most reib so that people can [00:27:43] go back to their normal life and the fact that these people [00:27:46] are free does not mean that the security issue has and all [00:27:50] the kidnappers are been free, [00:27:54] we still have lot of people in the bush we see have individuals [00:27:58] in the bush they have [00:28:00] the the les the family. [00:28:03] the [00:28:06] they are seeing we don't have much information about the aware about we also [00:28:09] have people [00:28:13] ahmed he has [00:28:17] been there since september last year a lot of other individuals are [00:28:20] there we want government [00:28:23] i mean security agencies to to put more effort we appreciate [00:28:26] them we comment them we commend the president we comment everybody that [00:28:30] ensure these people are free we wanted to put more effort to ensure that [00:28:34] these people are are free also and these people that are [00:28:38] free we want them to to be rehabilitated to be integrated to society so that [00:28:42] they come back on the on their feet and go back to their normal [00:28:46] life. thank you. okay so whilst you're calling for government [00:28:49] support, i think [00:28:50] the question i was asking was about the community, is there [00:28:54] anything the community is planning to make sure that [00:28:57] their resettlement into their communities is made little [00:29:01] easier? [00:29:04] Yes, [00:29:06] the the community already [00:29:10] took a community in place to welcome them even before [00:29:13] after the attack the community was set [00:29:17] up, it was headed by one of our prominent [00:29:21] village head, the community responsibility to [00:29:24] ensure that all [00:29:27] the the people that were affected were taking care [00:29:30] of and the community. has your responsibility to ensure that these [00:29:34] people are free and after that to the [00:29:38] committee also has your responsibility to see that these [00:29:40] people are [00:29:44] accepted to the society uh provided with [00:29:47] necessary. in fact the committee has already [00:29:50] launch raising [00:29:54] operation to ensure that money from [00:29:57] individuals from the community is you know [00:30:00] available to to help. [00:30:09] the rehabilitation and integration, but the most important thing is the money generator is can't [00:30:12] can't be enough, can't even take care them for for for a week [00:30:16] or month and individuals cannot take care these bes, it [00:30:20] is important that the government has to step in to [00:30:23] do, do hope that the community the committee set up [00:30:27] by the community will also have the leverage, the political [00:30:31] leverage to be... able to [00:30:33] you know pressure the government into making sure that they they do what they ought [00:30:37] to do, but let me also ask if you have register of sorts, it was [00:30:41] register of sorts created, because as you rightly observed, [00:30:45] after that attack on the woro community and [00:30:48] kayama uh, number of people lost their lives and people were [00:30:52] also abducted after those attacks, it will be very people [00:30:56] will not be sure whether you people are how many people