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Post Date : September 11, 2020

Gana wanted to work for God, be a changed man before he was killed – Widow

One of the five widows of the slain notorious militia leader in Benue State , Terwase Akwaza , aka Gana, Mrs Wantor Akwaza , said on Thursday that her deceased husband was snatched by military men. Recall that the Commander of Operation Ayem A . Kpatuma , Major General Ali Gadzama , had on Tuesday told Channels Television that Gana was killed in a gun battle with soldiers. But a community leader , who confided in The PUNCH in Makurdi, said Gana was in a government convoy when he was dragged out of a car by soldiers at a checkpoint in Gbitse in the Gboko Local Government Area of the state. Mrs Akwaza said her husband was in a convoy of government officials , traditional rulers and clergymen , heading to Makurdi, the state capital, to finalise the amnesty deal he had with the state government before he was killed. The 34- year -old , who spoke with some select journalists in Abuja , said Akwaza only accepted the state government ’ s offer of amnesty and came out of his hiding after a former Governor of the State , Gabriel Suswam, visited and assured him that he was involved in the deal. Suswam, who is currently the senator representing Benue North- East Senatorial District , had on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to set up a judicial commission of inquiry to unravel how Gana died . But Gana’ s widow said her late husband whom she last spoke with on Saturday , accepted the government ’ s amnesty offer because he was tired of living in hiding and wanted to start living as a freeman. She said , “ He said he had worked for the world for too long ; so he wanted to work for God . He said he wanted to be a free man . ” She said she wanted government to “ bring the people” who killed her husband “ to justice and pay compensation” of N 5bn to the family. Ortom says amnesty continues Meanwhile , the Benue State Governor , Samuel Ortom, on Thursday said security had been beefed up in the Sankera area where Gana, hailed from. Ortom, who was answering questions from journalists after his briefing on the outcome of Thursday’ s Security Council meeting, called for calm in the area and assured the people that government had provided enough security in the area to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order . The governor acknowledged the peaceful disposition of the people of Sankera despite the ugly incident and urged them to sustain the conduct as everything was being done to ensure guarantee the security of lives and property . Speaking further , the governor explained that Benue State Security Council would be meeting with stakeholders from Sankera on Friday, ( today ) 11th September , 2020. Ortom said that the meeting would review the situation of things in the area and fashion out a way forward , adding that the council also resolved to continue with the amnesty programme to cover those who retreated. We won’ t speak on Gana’ s killing –DHQ Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters has refused to speak on the killing of Gana by the military on Tuesday. The Coordinator , Defence Media Operations , Maj . Gen . John Enenche, said he would not take issues with the Benue State Governor , Samuel Ortom , and other political leaders , who had condemned the incident. (The Punch )

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Post Date : September 11, 2020

PHOTOS WAEC Conducts Exams In Chibok Six Years After Abduction Of Schoolgirls

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) has conducted the 2020 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), in Chibok Local Government, Borno State, the first time since the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in the area by Boko Haram insurgents, six years ago. The 7 Division, Nigerian Army, disclosed this on Thursday. Schools in the local government were closed by the Federal Government following the abduction of the girls from the Government Girls’ Secondary School Chibok on April 14, 2014. Six years after the incident which led to the formation of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) advocacy group, the school has now been converted into a mixed school (for boys and girls). Out of the 219 schoolgirls abducted by the insurgents, 107 have regained freedom after various rescue efforts and mediated negotiations between the Federal Government and the terrorists. President Muhammadu Buhari who rose to power on a three-pronged agenda of fighting insecurity, ridding the country of corruption and revamping the economy, had at various fora restated his resolve to rescue other schoolgirls still in captivity. “Diverse efforts are being intensified to secure the release of the Chibok Girls, along with all hostages in Boko Haram captivity, including Leah Sharibu who was kidnapped from her school, Science Secondary School, Dapchi, Yobe State, on February 19, 2018,” the Nigerian leader said in commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok girls. Below are photos of students sitting for the WAEC examination in Chibok:

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Post Date : September 11, 2020

Fuel, electricity hike sad resumption gift for us — Muslim students

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria, MSSN Lagos State Area Unit has kicked against the recent hike in electricity tariff and petrol price, describing the development as a sad resumption gift for students. The Amir of the MSSN Lagos, Miftahudeen Thanni, expressed displeasure on the development in a press statement recently. He explained that increasing electricity tariff and fuel price would cause hardship in the country. According to him, the increment is ill-timed and will destroy many businesses in the country. He said, “While we applaud the move to remove fuel subsidy, the implantation was not done at a reasonable time. The inconsistency in the government’s policy is a killer for small businesses. “Increasing electricity tariff at a period when people are yet to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 is not the best. However, the electricity tariff is being increased without a corresponding improvement in the power supply. The poor power supply should be the concern of the government at this time, not necessarily increment. “At present, we are still faced with the challenge of untimely attention and poor customer service by Disco, as well as unavailability to prepaid meters. “The increment is the saddest resumption gift for us. Our thoughts as students are that the government will give us a better life, good governance not hardship, and poverty. “We regret this action of the government. It should be reversed. Nigeria should follow the good examples of other countries by assisting the vulnerable and not compounding their problems.” Meanwhile, MSSN Lagos has congratulated Nigerian universities who ranked among the best in the world. In the 2021 Times Higher Education World University Ranking, the University of Ibadan, Lagos State University, University of Lagos, and Covenant University have ranked among the top 1,000 universities in the world. THE ranked UI, LASU, UNILAG as first, second, and third respectively in Nigeria. Privately-owned Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, was ranked fourth; ahead of the Federal Government-owned University of Nigeria, Nsukka, which came fifth; and Obafemi Awolowo University, sixth in Nigeria. He congratulated the Vice-Chancellor of LASU, Prof. Fagbohun, and its management, including the Governor of Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for the outstanding performance of LASU.

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Post Date : September 11, 2020

Oil fell as stockpile rise amid weakening demand

Oil prices fell for a second day on Friday, pressured by a surprise rise in U.S. stockpiles as the coronavirus pandemic continues to erode demand for fuels. Brent crude was down 18 cents, or 0.5 per cent at $39.88 a barrel by 0337 GMT, after falling nearly two per cent on Thursday. U.S. crude dropped 14 cents, or 0.4 per cent to $37.16 a barrel, having fallen two per cent in the previous session. Both major benchmarks are down around 6.5 per cent for the week and headed for a second week of declines, as hopes dim for a steady recovery in fuel demand amid signs of second-wave coronavirus outbreaks. In the U.S., stockpiles rose last week against expectations, as refineries slowly returned to operations after production sites were shut down due to storms in the Gulf of Mexico and wider region. “While U.S. crude oil production continues to recover following Hurricane Laura, the numbers show that refineries further reduced run rates over the last week,’’ ING Economics said in a note. U.S. crude inventories rose 2.0 million barrels, compared with forecasts for a 1.3 million-barrel decrease in a Reuters’ poll. In a further bearish sign, traders were starting to book tankers again to store crude oil and diesel, amid a stalled economic recovery as the COVID-19 pandemic continues unabated. Onshore storage remains near capacity as supplies continue to outpace demand. So, the use of so-called floating storage is back in vogue as cheap financing costs and the spread between contracts for delivery now and later months makes it favourable for traders to hold oil for later sale. Increasing stockpiles are likely to be a subject at a meeting on Sept. 17 of the market monitoring panel of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia, a group known as OPEC+. The grouping has been withholding supply to reduce stockpiles but analysts say the meeting is likely to focus on compliance among members, rather than seek deeper cuts. (Reuters/NAN)

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Post Date : September 10, 2020

Tension In Benue Villages Over Gana’s Killing

Ortom beefs up security to stem reprisals There was high tension in communities Benue State especially at Gbise in Katsina-Ala, the home local government area of the wanted notorious criminal gang leader, Terwase Akwaza alias Gana who was killed by men of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday. The military forces had intercepted the repentant militia leader along Gboko-Yandev road on his way to surrender to the ongoing amnesty programme initiated by the state security council to integrate him and his men into the society when he was eventually killed. Some of Gana’s men were reported to have retreated mid-stream after their leader was forcefully picked taken away to an unknown destination by the army. New Telegraph learnt that the growing upheaval that enveloped Katsina-Ala and its environs was allegedly triggered by angry youths who feel embittered over the killing of the militant leader. But reacting on the matter, Governor Samuel Ortom said he was aware of the uneasy calm but that security had already been beefed up in the area to stem any reprisal attack and there was no cause for alarm. “We are aware of the tension in the area, we have discussed that in the state security council, there is security beef up and I believe that there is no cause for alarm. Metro & Crime Tension In Benue Villages Over Gana’s Killing Posted on September 10, 2020 Author Cephas Iorhemen, Comment(0) Ortom beefs up security to stem reprisals There was high tension in communities Benue State especially at Gbise in Katsina-Ala, the home local government area of the wanted notorious criminal gang leader, Terwase Akwaza alias Gana who was killed by men of the Nigerian Army on Tuesday. The military forces had intercepted the repentant militia leader along Gboko-Yandev road on his way to surrender to the ongoing amnesty programme initiated by the state security council to integrate him and his men into the society when he was eventually killed. Some of Gana’s men were reported to have retreated mid-stream after their leader was forcefully picked taken away to an unknown destination by the army. New Telegraph learnt that the growing upheaval that enveloped Katsina-Ala and its environs was allegedly triggered by angry youths who feel embittered over the killing of the militant leader. But reacting on the matter, Governor Samuel Ortom said he was aware of the uneasy calm but that security had already been beefed up in the area to stem any reprisal attack and there was no cause for alarm. “We are aware of the tension in the area, we have discussed that in the state security council, there is security beef up and I believe that there is no cause for alarm. “That is why we are still saying that there should be calm and if there is any apprehension the security agencies are also ready, I have also augmented what they have so as to protect lives and property”. Governor Ortom, who said the military forces are in custody of the corpse of Terwase Akwaza, said he was not distracted over his demise and reaffirmed the resolve of the state security council to continue with the amnesty programme which he said is one way that can bring peace to the people. In the meantime, the State Security Council is to meet with stakeholders from Sankera Friday to review the situation.

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Post Date : September 10, 2020

Resident Doctors Suspend Nationwide Strike

The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended the nationwide industrial action. Dr Aliyu Sokumba who is the President of NARD confirmed this to Channels Television on Thursday evening. Dr Sokumba disclosed that the union will review the progress made in talks with the Federal Government in two weeks. On Wednesday, the Federal Government and the doctors reached an agreement in a bid to end the industrial action. During the meeting which almost took the entire day, NARD had disclosed that it will liaise with the executive council with a view to calling off the strike. Both parties had been in talks to resolve the issues which led to NARD declaring an end to the country-wide strike. After the meeting, the Federal said an additional N8.9 billion has been approved to pay up a large chunk of the June 2020 COVID-19 allowance to all health workers across the nation, This was revealed by Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Ngige stated that the implementation of the payment of the Special Hazard and Inducement Allowance has been concluded, stressing that this has been cash-backed and the mandate sent to the Central Bank of Nigeria for payments to start with effect from September 9. According to him, this will bring the total disbursement to about N288 billion. The doctors embarked on the strike to resolve issues bothering on group life insurance for doctors and other health care workers, payment of death-in-service benefit to next of kin/beneficiaries, universal implementation of the medical Residency Training Act in all Federal and state hospitals, immediate review of the hazard allowance of healthcare workers and payment of the COVID-19 inducement allowance.

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Post Date : September 10, 2020

Military kills several ISWAP terrorists, bandits

The Defence Headquarters says the military has killed several Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists and bandits and also arrested their collaborators in the Northwest and Northeast zones during an operation. The Coordinator, Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. John Enenche, said this while giving the weekly updates on military operations across the country on Thursday in Abuja. Enenche said that between Sept. 2 and Sept. 9, troops had conducted several clearance operations and constant Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance missions as well as intensive air strikes. He said that during the period under review, the military rescued seven kidnapped victims, recovered rustled cattle, smashed illegal arms syndicates and illegal armed miners. According to him, the recently repentant 601 Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists who graduated from Operation SAFE CORRIDOR are being received by their respective state governments and are in the process of being finally reintegrated to their home communities. He therefore, called for cooperation from stakeholders to ensure that they did not slip back to terrorist activities. “The Armed Forces of Nigeria, in conjunction with all stakeholders of the Operation; including traditional, religious and community leaders as well as families of graduated clients, worked out the modalities to ensure this positive outcome,” he said. He said that for the period under review, the country witnessed downward trend in the activities of armed bandits and criminal elements in the North West zone. According to him, the gallant troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI within the period carried out series of clearance operations, ambushes and other aggressive and confidence building patrols. He said that in one of the operations conducted on Sept. 3, the gallant troops neutralised two armed bandits at Samawa village in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara. “Similarly, on the same day, a bandit named Sada surrendered three AK 47 rifles, one SMG and two magazines to troops of Forward Operating Base DANSADAU in Zamfara. “Also, within the period troops of Operation THUNDER STRIKE acting on credible intelligence successfully ambushed armed bandits at Jeka Da Rabi along Kaduna-Abuja Expressway in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. “During the ambush, troops neutralised four armed bandits and recovered one locally fabricated rifle along with five rounds of 9mm ammunition,” he said. He said that troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI on Sept. 6, arrested a bandit at Koha village in Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State. “Also, on Sept. 7, troops of Forward Operating Base KEKUWUJE arrested two bandits’ couriers with the sum of one million five hundred and sixty five thousand, five hundred and fifty Naira (N1,565,550.00) in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara. “Similarly, same day, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI in conjunction with vigilantes arrested a bandit informant in Faskari Local Government Area of Katsina . “ Additionally, within this period, the Air Component of Operation THUNDER STRIKE neutralised several armed bandits and disrupted their camps in the Kuduru and Kwaimbana Forest areas of Kaduna state,” he said. He said that this was achieved through separate air strikes carried out on the heels of credible intelligence reports indicating that the two locations were being used as staging areas by the bandits. According to him, the attacks on the two forests hideout were executed after aerial reconnaissance missions observed significant number of armed bandits around some compounds in a small settlement within the forest. He said that the operations had restored to normalcy the hitherto crippled agricultural, social and economic lives of the people of this zone by bandit’s activities. He said that in continuation of its efforts in the fight against terrorism in the North East zone, the Armed Forces of Nigeria would not relent in its kinetic and non-kinetic operations. “Within the period under review, troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE recorded appreciable successes. “On Sept. 3, troops successfully repelled terrorists’ attacks on own troops and villages around Baga in Kukawa Local Government Area as well as Gajigana and Gajiram Towns in Nganzai Local Government Area of Borno . “During the encounters, troops neutralised a terrorist and recovered one PKT rifle and two AK-47 rifles. “Also on same day, troops arrested two BHT/ISWAP elements at Kamuya village in Biu Local Government Area of Borno State and another named Usman Almajiri at Damaturu town in Yobe ,” he said. He said that on Sept. 6, troops acting on credible intelligence conducted raid operations at Hamdaga Makaranta Town in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno . “In the process, nine different Boko Haram/ISWAP structures identified during ISR missions in the location were cleared. “Additionally, five of their fighters were killed during the raid; several others were neutralised by mop-up air strikes while escaping with various degrees of gunshot wounds. “Interestingly, seven kidnapped victims comprising two women and five children were rescued by troops during the operations,” he said. According to him, in another development, on same day, troops of 134 Special Forces Battalion repelled BHTs/ISWAP ambush along Magumeri and Gubio Towns in Borno. “During the encounter, troops killed one terrorist and recovered one gun truck, two AK 47 rifles, one Dushka AA Gun, one PKT gun and one MG. “Additionally, troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE in conjunction with police and vigilantes, on Sept 7, raided the residence of suspected armed robbers and kidnappers at Garba Chede in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba. “During the raid, one armed robber was neutralised while one G3 rifle was recovered,” he said. He assured the public of commitment of the military to achieve sustainable peace in the country. (NAN)

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Post Date : September 10, 2020

No Negotiations With P&ID, Says Malami

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN) says the Federal Government of Nigeria is not considering any possibility of negotiations with P&ID. “There will be no negotiation or talk of settlement with P&ID or any related party by or on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria,” Justice Malami said in a statement on Thursday signed by the Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Umar Jibrilu Gwandu. According to him, “The recent judgment of the English Commercial Court confirmed our view that P&ID and its cohorts are fraudsters who have exploited our country. They will not benefit from their corrupt behaviour. “This is a classic case with overwhelming fraudulent and corrupt undertones. The Federal Government of Nigeria is not considering any possibility of negotiations with P&ID. “It has not only fallen within the tall order exception but lacks any legitimate foundation. “We will not and cannot negotiate arbitral awards where the basis and foundation rely on fraud, corruption, breach of processes and procedures”, he added. The AGF further noted that the Federal Government remains wholly committed to fighting this case to overturn the exorbitant award without paying a single naira of public money to these fraudsters.

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Post Date : September 10, 2020

Card Readers Destroyed As Fire Guts Ondo INEC Head Office

Several card readers were damaged as fire gutted the head office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Akure, Thursday. Men of the Fire Service are on the ground to put out the inferno which started about 8 pm and gutted the container housing Smart Card Readers, the electoral body tweeted, Thursday. “The National Commissioner, Barrister Festus Okoye, who is in Ondo State in connection with preparations for the Ondo State Governorship election scheduled for 10th October 2020, rushed to the office at about 8 pm,” INEC added. Although the cause of the inferno is yet to be known, Barrister Okoye assured that an investigation would be carried out to unravel what triggered the fire. FIRE AT INEC OFFICE IN AKURE Fire broke out today, Thursday September 10,2020 at the Ondo State Head Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Akure. The inferno, which gutted the container housing Smart Card Readers, started at pic.twitter.com/XuXh2j9WON — INEC Nigeria (@inecnigeria) September 10, 2020 Some staff of the Commission and the Administrative Secretary of the State, Mr Popoola were also at the INEC officeholders. No Face Masks, No Voting INEC had earlier said it is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the safety of voters in the election and has rolled out a no face masks, no voting policy as Nigeria battles COVID-19. “It is mandatory for every voter to wear a face mask or face covering without which the voter would not be allowed to vote,” the Chairman of the electoral body, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, said at the briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 in Abuja Thursday. The INEC boss while giving insight into the nature of face masks voters are expected to wear during the elections, said the electorates do not need surgical masks to cast their ballots. He explained that “a face covering will be sufficient for a voter to be accredited to vote.”

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Post Date : September 10, 2020

EFCC Quizzes Suspected Fraudster For Concealing 2,886 ATM Cards In Noodles.

The Lagos zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has commenced investigations of a suspected fraudster for concealing 2,886 Automated Teller Machine(ATM) cards and four Subscriber Identification Module( SIM) cards in noodles. The suspect: Ishaq Abubakar was handed over to the EFCC by the Nigeria Customs Service on Thursday, September 10, 2020 for investigation and prosecution. Abubakar got into trouble when he was arrested by officers of the Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on his way to Dubai with 2, 886 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards and four Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards carefully concealed in parks of noodles. While handing over the suspect to the EFCC in Lagos on Thursday, Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Abudulmumuni Bako, said: “Officers of the Nigeria Customs Service at the Departure Hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, on August 22, 2020, intercepted the suspect with 2, 886 ATM cards and four SIM cards, which he carefully concealed in parks of Noodles.” Bako, who represented the Customs Area Comptroller, A. Ma’aji, added that “The suspect, who claimed to have come from Kano to travel to Dubai aboard the Emirate Evacuation flight , was seen with someone who was assigned to facilitate his movement through the airport checks. “This raised the suspicion of the officers who insisted he should be physically and thoroughly checked after the scan machine had revealed he was carrying parks of noodles”, he said. In his response, the Lagos zonal head, AbdulRasheed Bawa, who received the suspect on behalf of the Commission, assured the Service that the Commission would duly investigate the suspect and any other party that might be involved in the alleged criminal offence. According to him, “ On behalf of the Commission and the acting Chairman, Mr. Muhammed Umar, we have taken over Ishaq, and I can assure you that we are going to investigate the matter thoroughly and unveil everybody involved in the syndicate. “There are a number of possibilities. There is an element of conspiracy, foreign exchange (FOREX) malpractices and money laundering. “Indeed, banks and bankers are definitely involved. “ Bawa also emphasized the possibility of the suspect being a member of a network, adding that “In recent months, we have observed a trend in which unsuspecting Nigerians are lured into opening accounts to be bought at a fee. “Most bankers are not carrying out their duties with due diligence, particularly the Know Your Customers, KYC, procedural check”, he said.

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