Wednesday Update: Ibori Loot, Zamfara Ultimatum & Vaccine Distribution

Good morning.

We are leading with the UK’s promise to return looted assets, an ultimatum to bandits in Zamfara, and the continued progress of vaccine distribution to states across the federation.

UK Set To Return Ibori Loot

The United Kingdom has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to return the sum of £4.2 million assets stolen by former Delta State Governor, James Ibori to Nigeria.

This was announced on Tuesday by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria,  Catriona Laing in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami said the recovery of the stolen fund is part of the efforts of the current administration to fight corruption.

He said that the money will be used for the construction of the second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano road, and Lagos-Ibadan Express road.

Delta State: Although the assets were looted from the oil-rich state, the funds will be used for national projects. “The major consideration relating to who is entitled to a fraction or perhaps the money in its entirety is a function of law and international diplomacy,” Mr. Malami said during his Tuesday appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. “All the processes associated with the recovery were consummated by the federal government and the federal government is, indeed, the victim of crime and not sub-national.”

Zamfara Gives Bandits An Ultimatum

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has issued a two-month ultimatum to all bandits in the state to either repent and surrender their weapons or face serious consequences from the security personnel.

He gave the deadline on Tuesday evening during a state-wide broadcast at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

He warned that the state government would squarely face any bandit that refused to surrender within the stipulated time.

Governor Matawalle added that the Federal Government would soon deploy additional 6,000 soldiers to help the state government fight the recalcitrant bandits.

Security Chiefs: Matawalle’s broadcast came on the heels of the visit of the military chiefs to Zamfara. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, who led the high-powered delegation said the military was ready to flush out criminals in Zamfara and other parts of the country.

Zamfara Abduction: Meanwhile, the State Government has announced the release of…