This is contained in a statement signed by Dr Ejike Ndiulo, head of Corporate Communications, Air Peace, on Wednesday in Lagos.
According to Ndiulo, the decision is necessary because NiMet is the agency responsible for issuing CNH (Current Nowcast of Hazardous Weather) reports, critical for safe landings, especially during this season of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.
He said without these reports from the control tower, flight safety could not be guaranteed.
“As a safety-first airline, we have chosen to act responsibly by suspending operations until NiMet resumes full service.
“We understand this may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely apologise. Passengers will be contacted with updates and options for rescheduling,” he said.
The staff of NiMET on Tuesday commenced an indefinite strike over the condition of service and other demands.
News
Panic in Abuja as Boko Haram Threatens Fresh Attack
An alleged fresh threat by Boko Haram sect that it will attack the Ambeez shopping plaza in Abuja created panic among residents of the city according to the Guardian Newspapers
Security operatives Thursday stormed the plaza located in Zone five, Wuse district and ordered the occupants to vacate the premises.
The threat letter, which was obtained by The Guardian, was said to have been written by an insider who claimed he is now a changed man.
The letter reads in part: “This is to inform all occupants of Ambeez plaza that a threat letter has been sent to this plaza that all occupants should be very careful if possible stay out of the plaza for the next three days starting from Monday to Thursday.”
The author of the warning letter cautioned the occupants not to treat the letter with levity saying, “please don’t toil with this vital information … like those in Emab plaza that got insight and still stayed until many died.
In revealing his identity, the writer, who said he is close to the planners of the dastardly act, claimed he is now a child of God.
He urged occupants of the plaza to call the attention of the police in case they come across bags on the floor, saying that is the means through which the planned attack would be carried out.
He added: “… because that will be the means of bombing Ambeez plaza. Security should start serious search of lady handbags, cars and pockets of all that come in throughout this period because the information is crucial. Don’t call this rumour and risk your life please be careful many have gone, don’t be victim of careless acts. … I am talking from inside the house of those making this plan but am now a child of God but am still with them exposing them in secret so l am revealing this to all especially children of God ahead of time for caution to be taken by all that are wise.”
One of the occupants who spoke to The Guardian on condition of anonymity said: “We got the letter on Monday and that sent jitters down the spine of everybody in the plaza. In fact, some people have even started packing out of the plaza. I think that security authorities are on top of the situation now because some of them came and ordered everybody out of the plaza now. With this evacuation, you can imagine how many people will be thrown into unemployment market. Besides, there are many families that will find survival hard by the reason of suspension of business in this plaza.”
This comes as security operatives have cordoned off a popular fresh fruits centre popularly called “farmers market”, which is about 500 meters away from the Inspector General of Police residence.
One of the sellers who called himself Seidu, while lamenting the closure of the market said: “It is very unfortunate that this kind of thing is happening in our country. Most of us selling fruits here are from the North coupled with the fact that this place is not far from the house of the Inspector General of Police, it is a surprise that this kind of thing can happen here. Who is Boko Haram fighting? What do they want? We do not know who Boko Haram is fighting.”
The action followed a discovery of a rumoured bomb in the area, which was detonated by the police.
The bomb scare has resulted in panic by most Abuja residents who have resorted to going to shopping centres either in the early hours of the day or early evening when most of the shopping centres are scanty.
This development is also affecting nightlife as most night clubs are now groaning over poor patronage as most of the residents have chosen to stay away from fun centres due to fear of by Boko Haram.
Not only are nightclubs recording low sales, even gardens where workers relax or while away time to evade heavy traffic especially on Nyanyan road, have been abandoned.
According to an eyewitness in Gambouru, the gunmen stormed a market in Hilux vehicles and bundled the businessmen into a vehicle and sped off without firing a shot.
Confirming the incident Thursday in Maiduguri, military sources also said that there was also an attempt of terrorists’ attacks on Gambouru on Wednesday night.
Against the backdrop of Lagos State’s proactive efforts to reform its electricity sector, the Consumer Advocacy and Empowerment Foundation (CADEF) has launched its ‘Renew Energy Nigeria’ platform, a nationwide initiative with potential synergies for the state’s ambitious energy goals.
Professor Chiso Ndukwe-Okafor, CADEF’s Executive Director, introduced the platform in Lagos, highlighting its aim to empower Nigerians with information and access to decentralized renewable energy (DER) solutions. “The launch of this platform marks a significant step towards democratizing access to information and resources within Nigeria’s burgeoning sustainable energy sector.”
The platform’s launch comes as Lagos State, under the Lagos State Electricity Law, is actively establishing a regulatory framework and attracting private sector investment. Kamaldeen Abiodun-Balogun, General Manager of the LSEB, detailed the state’s progress in creating a functional electricity market, ensuring payment security, and addressing infrastructure challenges. “This law enabled us to create policy documents and establish regulatory agencies to initiate the implementation of the Lagos electricity market,” he explained, adding that private sector involvement will be key in areas where existing Discos face performance issues.
Segun Adaju, a private sector player deeply engaged in the energy sector, lauded Lagos State’s leadership. “In all these, Lagos State is always setting the pace. Many of us in the private sector players like myself, we are also looking up to Lagos State to set the pace,” he said, also mentioning his work on the Centralized Renewable Energy Desk for the state government.
While acknowledging national-level challenges such as import restrictions and forex fluctuations as noted by Professor Ndukwe-Okafor: “The recent federal plan on restrictions on the importation of solar products and the fluctuation of forex rate have made clean energy solutions costly”, the focus on Lagos State’s progress suggests a promising local environment for DER adoption, potentially amplified by CADEF’s new platform.
The broader socio-economic context, as highlighted by Olumide Ajayi, “Over 40% of Nigerians do not have access to reliable electricity”, underscored the importance of initiatives like ‘Renew Energy Nigeria’ and the enabling policies being implemented in states like Lagos.
Professor Ndukwe-Okafor concluded with a powerful call to action. “This platform is not an isolated intervention. It is aligned with our ideal country’s national vision, the 30-30-30 initiative. Let us not build a solar future that only serves the wealthy. Let us democratize clean energy. Let us make it local, inclusive, and scalable.”
The launch of “Renew Energy Nigeria” marks a significant step towards a more sustainable and equitable energy future for Nigeria, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to empowering its citizens. The platform is now live and accessible to all Nigerians seeking reliable and clean energy alternatives
A federal high court in Abuja has granted permission to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and detain six Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) promoters over allegations of investment fraud to the tune of over one billion dollars.
Emeka Nwite, presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application moved by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the EFCC.
In the application by the EFCC, the six suspects are Adefowora Olanipekun, Adefowora Oluwanisola, Emmanuel Uko, Seyi Oloyede, Avwerosuo Otorudo and Chukwuebuka Ehirim.
The commission sought an order of the court for a warrant of arrest of the defendants.
They also prayed the court for “an order remanding the defendants in the custody of the complainant/applicant pending the conclusion of investigation of the alleged offences and possible prosecution”.
Yusuf said that the defendants are at large and a warrant of arrest is required to arrest the defendants for proper investigation and prosecution of this case.
In the affidavit in support of the motion, the EFCC said preliminary investigation into the intel revealed that the defendants “using their company ST Technologies International Limited, promoted another company Crypto Bridge Exchange (CBEX) by making adverts and lured unsuspecting members of the public to invest crypto cryptocurrencies on the CBEX investment platform”.
The EFCC said the defendants promised an unrealistic return on investment of up to 100 percent.
“The victims were made to convert their digital assets into a stablecoin of USDT for onward deposit into the suspects’ crypto wallet,” Yusuf said.
“The victims were initially given full access to the platform to monitor their investment.
“Following the deposits valued at over $1 billion by the victims, the CBEX investment platform became inaccessible to them, and they could no longer withdraw from the investment made.
“The victims later discovered that the said scheme is a scam.
“During the course of investigation, it was discovered that the said ST Technologies International Limited, though registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was not registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for investment purposes.
“It was also discovered during the investigation that the defendants had moved out of their last known address in Lagos and Ogun states.”
The anti-graft agency said obtaining a warrant of arrest was necessary in order to place the defendants on a watch list, enabling authorities to trace and apprehend the suspects to face the charges brought against them.
Nwite granted the request for a warrant of arrest and remand, adding that the order was necessary to enable the commission to apprehend the defendants and conclude its investigation.
“I have listened to the submission of the learned counsel for the applicant,” Nwite said.
“I have also gone through the affidavit evidence with exhibits thereto, along with the written address.
“I am of the view and I so hold that the application is meritorious.
“Consequently, the application is granted as prayed.”
Earlier in April, reports emerged that CBEX users could no longer withdraw their funds.
On Monday, angry investors stormed and looted the office of Smart Treasure (ST Team), an affiliate of CBEX, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The EFCC recently confirmed receiving multiple complaints about the platform.
Dele Oyewale, the commission spokesperson, assured affected investors that efforts were underway to recover their funds.
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