November 2020 – Page 14

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Troops arrest notorious bandit in hospital, Katsina couple trafficking arms

A wanted notorious bandit has been arrested by Nigerian troops at a clinic in Barkin Ladi LGA of Plateau State. The bandit, identified as Mallam Usaini Mohammed was picked up 23 November at the Mainasara Clinic by soldiers of Operation Safe Haven, following a tip off. Major General John Enenche, who disclosed the arrest today, said the bandit had sustained gunshot wounds in an exchange of fire with troops during an aborted robbery in Saminaka in July this year. A similar tip off, he said, led to the arrest of another group of three armed robbers at their hideout at Dogo village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State on same day. Enenche disclosed the arrests, while rendering a weekly activity report for Nigerian military engaged in battles against bandits and terrorists. The Defence Headquarters spokesman also revealed the arrest of a couple in Katsina by operatives of DSS in Katsina state. The couple Usman Shehu and his wife Aisha Abubakar of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State were arrested on 22 November. “The suspects were intercepted at Abukur village conveying large cache of ammunitions to Katsina Metropolis including 14 magazines, 61 rounds of 9.6mm caliber ammunition and 399 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition”. The weekly report, covering 19 November and 25 November also detailed various efforts by all the security agencies, in neutralising bandits and terrorists in the main theatres of North East, North West and North central parts of Nigeria. Read the full report here: GENERAL UPDATE ON ARMED FORCES OF NIGERIA OPERATIONS FROM 19 TO 25 NOVEMBER 2020 In line with our weekly schedule, this morning I will be briefing you on operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in conjunction with other security agencies across the Country from 19 to 25 November 2020. The various operations have progressed satisfactorily with significant results. NORTH-WEST ZONE Troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI and other subsidiary operations have sustained various aggressive operations in the North-West zone of the country with tremendous successes. The gallant troops within the period carried out series of raids, aerial, ambushes, clearance operations and confidence building patrols. Notably, on 21 November 2020, troops of Operation ACCORD while on covert operation at Galadi village in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State neutralized 2 bandits and recovered 2 AK 47 rifles. In another development, still on same 21 November 2020, troops while on routine patrol at Gobirawa village made contact with armed bandits. During the encounter, 6 bandits were neutralized while 4 AK 47 rifles, 3 Dane guns and 2 motorcycles were recovered. In the same vein, following credible intelligence on activities of illegal miners at Kadauri general area in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, troops swiftly mobilized to the scene and apprehended 11 suspected illegal miners. The suspects have been handed over to the appropriate prosecuting authority for further action. Additionally, troops of Forward Operating Base Kwatarkwashi arrested one Shafiu Suleman, a wanted bandit’s informant at Kwatarkwashi Market. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was the mastermind of recent kidnapping of some Locals within Kwatarkwashi district of Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Furthermore, following distress call on presence of suspected bandits at Gidan Ruwa along Rukudawa axis of Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State on 22 November 2020, troops swiftly responded and pursued the bandits as they fled on sighting the approaching troops. However, one bandit was neutralized, while one AK 47 rifle and one magazine loaded with 29 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition were recovered. Equally, two bandits were arrested in the process. In another feat recorded on 22 November 2020, operatives of Department of State Service, Katsina State Command arrested a couple Usman Shehu and his wife Aisha Abubakar of Rimi Local Government Area of Katsina State. The suspects were intercepted at Abukur village conveying large cache of ammunitions to Katsina Metropolis including 14 magazines, 61 rounds of 9.6mm caliber ammunition and 399 rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition. Similarly, between 23 and 25 November 2020, troops of Operation HADARIN DAJI arrested several bandits’ collaborators in Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara States. Notably, on 23 November 2020, following credible Human intelligence, troops deployed at Forward Operating Base Dankurmi District of Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State arrested one Tasiu Shehu. Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect has been supplying bandits with logistics. Relatedly, on 24 November 2020, following credible intelligence on movement of cattle rustlers, troops swiftly moblised to the area and successfully arrested three suspects and 300 cattle. The suspects are currently in custody for necessary action. Equally, still on same 24 November 2020, following credible information, two suspected bandits’ collaborators were apprehended at Tsayau village in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State by the gallant troops of Forward Operating Base Gurbin Baure. The suspects are currently in custody for further action. Meanwhile, within the period in focus, the Air Component of Operation HADARIN DAJI neutralized 82 armed bandits in air interdiction missions executed at Birnin Kogo Forest in Katsina State and Ajjah Forest in Zamfara State. Both air strikes were carried out on 23 November 2020, sequel to credible Human Intelligence reports as well as aerial surveillance missions that led to the identification of the 2 forest hideouts, which housed scores of the armed bandits along with hundreds of rustled cattle. The Nigerian Air Force fighter jets and helicopter gunships dispatched by the Air Component to attack the 2 locations took turns in engaging the target areas, scoring accurate hits on the caves, used by the armed bandits to shield themselves from air strikes. This is in addition to 17 armed bandits that were earlier neutralized at Dunya Forest area of Katsina State. This was achieved through air strikes executed on the heels of credible Human Intelligence reports and confirmatory surveillance missions indicating that dozens of Ansaru terrorist group-linked armed bandits had established a camp at the location, which also housed scores of rustled cattle. The gallant troops have continued to dominate the general

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Court rules on Ndume’s bail application Friday

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed Friday for ruling on the bail application filed by Borno South Senator , Ali Ndume, who has been detained in prison since Monday over his suretyship for Abdulrasheed Maina believed to have jumped bail. Justice Okon Abang adjourned for ruling after Ndume’ s lawyer , Marcel Oru , argued the bail application , which was opposed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’ s lawyer , Mohammed Abubakar . Maina , a former Chairman of the defunct Pension Reformed Task Team , Abdulrasheed Maina , is being prosecuted by the EFCC on charges of money laundering involving N 2bn. On November 18, 2020, Justice Abang revoked the bail granted him , ordered his arrest, and directed that his trial would proceed in absentia . The judge also on Monday remanded Ndume in prison until he produced Maina or paid the sum of N 500m bail bond to the Federation Account. Ndume, through his lawyer , Marcel Oru , had on Tuesday filed an appeal against the remand order at the Court of Appeal, along with an application for the bail of the defendant filed before Justice Abang.

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Court fixes Jan 27 for continuation of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial

The Federal High Court Abuja has fixed Jan. 27 for continuation of the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The matter was fixed for hearing on Nov. 26, but when it was called, both Kanu and his counsel, Mr Ifeanyi Ejiofor were absent in court. A lawyer in a sister case, Mr E. Ejiofor told the court that Kanu’s lawyer had asked him to draw the attention of the court to a letter he wrote explaining why he was absent in court. In the letter, Kanu’s lawyer explained that he got the information for the new date of Nov. 26 on Nov. 25. He said he had travelled out of Abuja, and would not be able to travel back immediately to attend court because of the short notice. The prosecuting counsel, Mr Shuaibu Labaran, however, raised an objection to the letter saying it was dated Nov. 24, meanwhile the lawyer said he got information about the new date on Nov. 25. “The letter predates the information from the registrar concerning the date for the matter. It is a deliberate attempt to mislead the court and I object to it and ask the court to disregard it.” Labaran added that there has been a consistent and deliberate attempt to frustrate the continuation of the case by the defence counsel. He said that in the absence of the defence lawyer, the prosecution would be compelled to ask for an adjournment but with cost to the defendant. The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako adjourned the matter until Jan. 27 saying it would go on even if the defence counsel was absent on that date. Justice Nyako also said that cost would be determined at the end of the trial. Similarly, the trial of Bright Chimezie, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi was adjourned until Jan. 27 due to their absence in court. They were co-defendants with Kanu but in order to speed up trial, the court made an order separating their trial from Kanu’s. Their counsel, Mr F.K Kamagan, E. Ejiofor and Maxwell Opara all told the court that their clients were absent in court because they were out of Abuja and they received information of the new date on Nov. 25. The defendants are standing trial on alleged treasonable felony, improper importation of goods and illegal possession of firearms. It would be recalled that Kanu was admitted to bail in April 2017 for health reasons, but skipped his bail after reportedly flouting all the conditions given to him by the court. Owing to his absence in court, Binta Nyako, the judge who granted him bail, revoked it and ordered that he should be arrested. The judge also made an order on March 28, 2019, that Kanu’s trial would continue in his absence.

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Police Arrest House Help Over Death Of Former Boss

Police have arrested one Cephas Iliya for the death of Martins Omeri, an auditor with the Federal Government. The Police Public Relations Officer in Nasarawa State, Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. He noted Omeri was a deputy chief auditor at the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in Abuja, but he resided at the Navy Estate in Karshi in Karu Local Government Area (LGA) of Nasarawa State. Nansel explained that Iliya, a former house help of the late auditor, was intercepted on Tuesday night by police personnel attached to Karshi Division at the Arab area in the nation’s capital. According to him, the security operatives arrested the 27-year-old suspect who hails from Kaduna State based on credible intelligence. “A coordinated and diligent search was conducted in his (the suspect’s) apartment where the following items belonging to the deceased were recovered as exhibit – one Infinix phone, laptop, clothing, pair of shoes, clipper, beddings, and a few other properties,” the police command spokesman said. He added, “The suspect confessed that he sneaked into the house of the deceased at the dead of the night on November 17, 2020, while he was asleep and killed him using a log of wood while, his dead body was discovered on November 19, 2020.” In his reaction, the Commissioner of Police in Nasarawa, Bola Longe, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal and Investigation Department in Lafia for an exhaustive investigation after which the suspect should be arraigned in court. He called on residents of the state to thoroughly screen and get to know the family of those they intend to employ as house help before doing so.

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Senate Committee Screens Mahmood Yakubu For Reappointment As INEC Chairman

The Senate Committee on INEC has screened Professor Mahmood Yakubu following his nomination for appointment as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The screening session took place on Thursday at the National Assembly complex in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In his remarks, Professor Yakubu appealed to the National Assembly to pass the Amended Electoral Act Bill latest in the first quarter of 2021. He explained that passing the piece of legislation within the timeframe recommended was critical for the success of the 2023 general elections. The former INEC chief informed the lawmakers that the electoral body had submitted several areas for amendments in the Electoral Act. According to him, it is extremely important for the electoral legal framework to be finalised in due time as INEC cannot conduct elections under uncertainty. Professor Yakubu stated that INEC would continue to deepen the use of technology for elections and explore other ways in which the electoral process could benefit from technology. He disclosed that the electoral umpire was working to ensure that materials needed for the elections were procured well ahead of time. The screening of the former INEC boss comes a day after members of the red chamber considered the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to confirm the reappointment of Professor Mahmood Yakubu as the chairman of the nation’s electoral umpire. They later referred the President’s request to the Senate Committee on INEC for further legislative action and asked the lawmakers to report back on Tuesday next week. The Presidency announced Professor Yakubu’s reappointment as INEC chairman for another five-year term on October 27. His reappointment is, however, subject to approval by the Senate. Following the completion of his first term, Professor Yakubu handed over the leadership of INEC to Air Vice Marshal Ahmed Muazu who has been acting as chairman of the commission since November 9. He was first appointed by President Buhari to oversee the activities of the electoral umpire in November 2015, six months after the Nigerian leader assumed office. Professor Yakubu, who took over from Professor Attahiru Jega, was first appointed into office by President Buhari in November 2015. Under him, INEC conducted many elections, including the 2019 polls which saw the President extending his stay in office for another four years.

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Police Exchange Fire With Hoodlums, Rescue 19 Of 22 Abducted Victims In Abuja

The FCT Police Command said they have rescued 19 out of 22 persons kidnapped by hoodlums on Pei-Leilei road along Kwali axis in Abuja, the nation’s capital. According to a statement by the FCT Commissioner of Police, Yusuf Mariam, the rescue operation was carried out in a fierce gun duel. Also, the rescue operation was carried out on Wednesday 25th November, following a distress call from the residents. “In a swift response to a distress call, the FCT Police Command rescued nineteen (19) persons from being kidnapped on Pei-Leilei road along Kwali axis on Wednesday 25th November 2020. “The successful rescue operation was conducted by a joint team of Police operatives from the Command who responded promptly to the occasion and engaged the heavily armed hoodlums in a fierce gun duel,” the statement read in part. The Police boss added that effort is being made to rescue the remaining three victims in the custody of the hoodlums who escaped into the bordering forest.

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Blasphemy: Kano High Court Reserves Date For Judgement

A ano High Court (Appeal Division) has reserved judgement on two appeal cases of blasphemy before it. The cases were those of 22-year-old Yahaya Aminu Sharif sentence to death by an Upper Shariah court and a 13 year old boy Umar Faruk sentence to 10 years imprisonment. At commencement of the court sittings on Thursday, the appellant counsels led by Barrister Kola Alapinni urged the court to set aside the judgement of the lower courts on grounds that their client was not given fair hearing just as the procedures in which he was tried violated the constitution of the federation. On her part, the state counsel, Barrister Aisha Mahud urged the court to affirmed the conviction of the lower court and dismiss the appeal. In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Nasiru Saminu said judgement is reserved and a date will be communicated to both parties. Tight Security at the Court There was tight security around Kano High Court premises on Thursday as the Court commence sitting on two appeal cases. The court had fixed Thursday, November 26, 2020 for definite hearing in the two cases after the earlier adjournment following the inability of the Appellant lawyers to attend the court sitting. At the court’s last sitting in October, the appellant lawyers who were to come in from Lagos could not do so ‘due to some challenges’ the court was told so through one Zubairu Suleiman Usman (not a lawyer) who stood up when the case was mentioned. Usman told the court that the lawyers reach out to him, asking him to inform the court that they want the case to be rescheduled for 26-30th of November. The respondents lead lawyer, the attorney general of Kano state, Musa Abdullahi Lawal told the court of their intention to file an application to enable them serve the appellants through substituted means so that they can respond at next adjourned date. In his ruling, Justice Nasiru Saminu acknowledged that the #endsars riots in Lagos then and due to the sensitive nature of the case also accepted the message sent through the messenger before adjourning the matter to November 26 for definite hearing. How the singer bagged death sentence Shariff Yahaya Aminu was convicted on a one-count charge of insulting religious creed, contrary to Section 382 (6) of the Kano State Sharia Penal Code Law 2000. Daily Trust reports that Aminu committed the offence via a WhatsApp post on February 28, 2020, in which he called the Holy prophet a ‘mushrik (proclaiming other gods)’. A mushrik, according to askislampedia.com, “is a person who believes in another deity together with Allah The Almighty, and who demonstrates this by dedicating acts of worship, such as kneeling, prostration, supplication, slaughtering or any other act of worship, to a being other than Allah The Almighty.” Other online definitions said the term is used interchangeably with the word kafir, an Arabic word meaning infidel or unbeliever. The prosecutor, Inspector Aminu Yargoje, told the court that the said post was intended to create ill feelings among the Muslim faithful in the state. Falana Drags FG, Ganduje to African Commission Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambia, over the death sentence passed on the Kano singer, Sharif Yahya Aminu. Falana asked the Commission to exercise its mandates and authority under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and pursuant to the commission’s order 100(1) Rules of Procedure, 2020. Falana in the petition dated 8th September 2020, states: “I am writing to you on behalf of Sharif Yahya Sharif to ask the Commission to consider this request for provisional measures. The request is submitted in conjunction with our communication on behalf of Sharif Yahya Sharif convicted and sentenced to death for blasphemy in Kano State of Nigeria. “When the petitioner informed the Court that he could not afford and secure the services of a lawyer to defend him, the Court ordered the Legal Aid Council to assign him a lawyer so that the petitioner could enjoy access to legal representation. “However, the order was disobeyed by the Legal Aid Council. The Legal Aid Council is the body established by law to provide legal support to indigent citizens especially in cases involving death penalty. “An appeal at the Kano State High Court against the conviction and death sentence imposed on the petitioner has been filed, but we submit that the petitioner will not enjoy a fair hearing, as he continues to face imminent execution by hanging. “Nigeria is a state party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights but there is a growing crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and attack on the rule of law.” Falana therefore noted that Nigeria has deliberately and willfully disregarded the request by the African Commission to the effect that African countries, including Nigeria that still retain the death penalty, should fully comply with their obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and guarantee every person accused of capital punishment fair trial.

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Akwa Ibom court sentences 3 to death for kidnapping

The Akwa Ibom State High Court 7 sitting in Uyo, has sentenced three persons to death by hanging for kidnapping a four year-old boy. The boy was said to have been kidnapped on November 18, 2016 in Ikot Inyang Idung village, Uyo local government area. The condemned kidnappers were 24 year-old Victor Etim Bassey and 35 year-old Aniediong Ezekiel Thompson, from Ikot Inyang Idung and Ifa Ikot Akpan respectively in Uyo local government area, Akwa Ibom State, and 30 year-old Chike Okeke, a native of Eziaja in Anaocha local government area of Anambra State. The Presiding Judge, Justice Okon Okon who found the accused guilty of kidnapping, said the crime is punishable by death in section 1(2) of Akwa Ibom State Internal Security and Enforcement Law, 2009. He said “from the totality of the evidence of the prosecution within and confession of the accused persons in their statements to the Police, there was not lawful excuse that the child was taken away from his mother’s house.” Justice Okon held that the 1st accused, Victor Etim Bassey took away the child to the second accused, Aniediong Ezekiel Thompson for monetary consideration, which they shared among themselves. The Court said while Victor sold the four year-old to Aniediong at N200,000, Aniediong in turn, resold him to Chika at N450,000 who also sold to ‘one sister’ now at large at N550,000. Justice Okon said, “with the help of the third convict, the child was recovered by the police in Nnewi and reunited with his family in Akwa Ibom”. Recounting how her son was kidnapped, the mother of the four year old boy told the court that she left her son in the custody of his sibling on November 18, 2016, while she went to market. She said the first convict (Victor), gave the child’s elder brother N50 to buy tom-tom sweet for him, only for him to return home to see that both his brother and the convict were not there. Justice Okon said, “with the help of the third convict, the child was recovered by the Police in Nnewi and reunited with his family in Akwa Ibom. “In a criminal trial, the guilt of the accused for the commission of any crime, can be proved by the evidence of an eyewitness, circumstantial evidence and confessional statements”. While sentencing the three accused to death by hanging, Justice Okon prayed God to have mercy on their souls.

Post Date : November 26, 2020

Nigeria ranked third most terrorised country in the world — for the sixth time

A report by the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) says the number of deaths attributed to Boko Haram in Nigeria increased by 25 percent from 2018 to 2019. The recent report said despite the rise in the number of casualties from Boko Haram attacks in the north-east, Nigeria is the second to record a fall in violent deaths after Afghanistan in 2019. GTI said 2,043 people died from “terrorism-related acts” in Nigeria in 2018 but only 1,245 deaths were recorded in 2019. In the overall, deaths from terrorism world over fell by 15.5 percent from 2018 to 2019. However, the study ranked Nigeria the third most terrorised country in the world for the sixth consecutive time. “Nigeria had the second largest fall in total deaths, owing largely to a 72 percent reduction in fatalities attributed to Fulani extremists,” it said. “Despite this decrease, the number of deaths attributed to Boko Haram increased by 25 percent from 2018 to 2019. “Renewed activity by Boko Haram in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, including Cameroon, Chad and Niger, remains a substantial threat to the region.” The report also said Boko Haram carried out 11 suicide bombings killing 68 people. “In 2019, Boko Haram carried out 11 suicide bombings causing 68 fatalities. Suicide bombings accounted for 6% of all terror-related incidents by Boko Haram in 2019, marking an 89% decline from their peak in 2017,” it said. “Boko Haram was responsible for Nigeria’s deadliest terrorist attack in 2019 when assailants attacked a funeral in Badu, Borno State. “At least 70 people were killed and 10 others were wounded in the attack and ensuing clash. The two main factions of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) and the followers of Abubakar Shekau, are both engaged in an insurgency campaign against the Nigerian government. “Violence by the two main factions of Boko Haram have taken a large toll on the civilian population, particularly in northeast Nigeria, where continued attacks have internally displaced more than two million people and caused a further 240,000 Nigerian refugees to flee to neighbouring countries.”

Post Date : November 26, 2020

133 dead as Yellow Fever spreads to more Enugu community

Despite the fumigation of Ette, and Umuopu communities in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State against yellow fever by the state government and the ongoing immunisation against the disease at some local government areas in the state, death toll has hit 133. Four persons died at Aji Community while several others reportedly died at Okpo, and Igogoro communities among other communities in the council area. Health officials were said to have been moved to Isiugwu community for mass vaccination when Vanguard visited the council area for official comments on the issue. However, a health officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that it takes about 10 days for the vaccines to start working on anybody, adding that those who had been vaccinated could still die if they were already infected before being vaccinated because of the period of time it takes for the vaccine to become effective. He added that all together, the council area has lost at least 75 persons within the last two weeks. While reacting to the development, the council boss, Ejike Itodo said he has engaged relevant stakeholders for aggressive sensitisation and enlightenment of the people of the council area on the disease outbreak. He further said that the residents of the affected communities are turning out en masse to be vaccinated. While urging the people to pray against the disease, he said he has also directed that anyone who presents any form of symptom be conveyed to the general hospital at the council headquarters for adequate medicare. It was gathered that a young pharmacist, Chidi Eze, were among the victims who died at Isiugwu community. Some residents who spoke to Vanguard, including Chibueze Ogbu, and Onyemaechi Eke, expressed fear as the death toll keeps soaring. According to relations of some of the victims, the symptoms start with weakness of the body, pains, heaviness of the heart, before vomiting of blood, and eventual death. Recall that at least 27 cows also died mysteriously across some communities in the local government last week. Meanwhile, all efforts to speak with the Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Dr Emmanuel Ikechukwu Obi, and the state’s Epidemiologist, Dr Chinyere Ezeudu, on the soaring death toll proved abortive as they neither picked calls put through to their phone lines nor responded to text messages. Yellow Fever is caused by Flavivirus. It is an acute, systemic disease, meaning that it starts suddenly, and it affects the whole body. The virus is transmitted by mosquitos, mainly the Aedes and Haemogogus species.