How to block your account from any available phone if your ATM is stolen

Nigerians have been told how to block their account in the event that their Automated Teller Machine Card is stolen.

The message went viral again over the weekend.

The steps to take:
1. Dial *966*911# instantly from any available phone.
2. You will be prompted to enter your Bank Account Number.
3. Once you enter the Account Number, any further Debit Transaction on the Account will be blocked.

Gunmen kill Army Garrison Commander in Bauchi

Suspected gunmen have reportedly killed the Garrison Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army in Shadawanka Barracks, Bauchi State, Mohammed Barack.

According to reports, the incident which took place on Bauchi – Jos Road was said to have taken place on Sunday while the deceased was riding a power bike from Kaduna.

A source said, “The Garrison Commander of 33 Artillery Brigade of Nigerian Army (Shadawanka Barracks) Bauchi, Col. Mohammed Barack, has been shot dead.

“He was shot on Sunday along Jos Road, while on a power bike and was coming back from Kaduna. He is from Kano State.”

The deceased, who hailed from Kano, was said to have been taken to his home state for burial, after the necessary military rites.

When contacted, the spokesperson of 33 Artillery Brigade, Yahaya Kabara, confirmed the incident saying, “Yes, it’s true.”

When asked to give details of what happened, Mr Kabara, who is an army major, told The Punch to “come to the Brigade because it is a matter that needs investigation.

“Investigation is ongoing, I will get back to you when the finding is out. Let me communicate with my Commander, I will get back to you.”

Nigeria Customs Service promotes officer who rejected $420k bribe

The Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has promoted Comptroller Bashir Abubakar of Apapa Area Command to an Assistant Comptroller General (ACG).

Mr. Abubakar was the officer who, last year, rejected a $420,000 bribe handed over to him by a drug trafficking cartel, to take delivery of 41 smuggled containers of Tramadol. Abubakar refused the bribe and seized the consignment.

Tramadol is a pharmaceutical product prohibited under Nigerian laws. The abuse of Tramadol is known to have dire health consequences among the population.

Buhari offer special prayers for late Shagari

NAN observed that before commencement of prayers which was led by the Chief Imam/Administrator of the National Mosque, Prof. Shehu Galadanchi, Buhari met with members of the Shagari family where he consoled them over the loss.

The president also presented a letter of Condolence to the family which was read by Tambuwal, who also shared the same car with the president during the condolence visit.

The Chief Imam prayed almighty Allah to grant the soul of the former Nigerian president a peaceful resting place in Paradise.

The president had on Saturday paid tribute to the late former president, and directed that the national flag and other flags should fly at half-mast in military and para-military formations as well as public buildings for three days, starting from today.

“The late President represented almost the last link with the government of our founding fathers under Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. He was also the first elected President of Nigeria.

“The late Alhaji Shagari was a man of many parts, teacher, local authority administrator, politician, minister, and finally President. He served his country with dedication and moderation.

“Over the years through interaction at the Council of State, he and I came to understand and appreciate each other whatever the differences we may have had in the past.

“On behalf of the Federal Government, myself and family, I send my condolences to the people of Nigeria, particularly to the late President’s family and the government and people of Sokoto State. May his soul rest in peace.”

Alhaji Bala Shagari, the eldest son of the deceased had on behalf of the family, expressed appreciation to Buhari for the visit amid his busy schedule.

The remains of the former president, who died at the age of 93 on Friday at the National Hospital Abuja, was laid to rest at his village, Shagari on Saturday, according to Islamic rites.

Shagari was president from 1979 to 1983 and won the presidential election for the second time before he was dethroned by a coup d’état that brought in Muhammadu Buhari as military head of state.

2019 – I’ll dismantle Lekki Toll Gate if elected – Jimi Agbaje

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, has vowed to remove the Lekki Toll Gate, if voted into power in 2019. Agbaje described the fee being collected at the toll gate as illegal.

The PDP guber candidate noted that though the toll gate was built by a concessionaire, it had since been bought over by the Lagos State Government.

He wondered why residents were still being forced to pay tolls to pass.

Agbaje was responding to the one-hour toll-free passage recently given to all motorists by his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Agbaje said, “Unfortunately, the toll gate is opaque because no one knows its financial records. So, asking people on your campaign trail and others to pass without paying for just one hour is absurd and regrettable.

“Good road is a fundamental right of citizens and we promise to deliver on this and many other things.

“At the moment, most Lagos roads are impassable because of their poor condition. Now, motorists are compelled to pay heavily for passage.

“How about the so-called alternative routes? Ideally, government should have provided alternative routes to the Lekki Toll Gate, but the available alternate route is in a terrible shape, so everybody is forced to use the toll gate and pay.

“Therefore, yesterday’s drama by the governorship candidate of the APC is a farce. Nobody was deceived by the party’s action which also smacks of disrespect and bondage.”