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Post Date : February 19, 2021

Imo to arraign arrested ESN operatives for murder

The Imo State Government on Friday said that it would arraign the operatives of the Eastern Security Network linked with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra in the ongoing crisis in the Orlu -Orsu axis of the state for murder. The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice , Cyprian Akaolisa , told newsman in Owerri that the ESN operatives were hoodlums and would be treated as murderers by the state government . The AG confirmed the ongoing military operations in the area , saying “ the Imo state government invited the military to flush out the hoodlums who call themselves ESN in Orlu . ” According to him , the leader of IPOB , Nnamdi Kanu, was endangering the people of the state by the activities of ESN In the Orlu area . Akaolisa who listed how many people the ESN personnel had allegedly killed in the state since 2020, said that the proscribed organization cashed in on the EndSARS protest last year to amass riffles for their operation . He commended the federal government for deploying troops in the area to secure the inhabitants . He accused a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha , who now represents Imo West at the Senate of allegedly playing politics with the crisis. Akaolisa chided Okorocha for going to sympathize with a traditional ruler , Boniface Okereke of Uzoubi Umuna Orlu who was harassed by a policeman on January 27, but refused to visit the families of the victims allegedly killed by the ESN operatives . He disclosed that the arrested ESN operatives would be arraigned by the state government for murder at the end of investigations. Akaolisa said that the deployed troops would not leave the troubled areas until absolute peace was restored in Orlu -Orsu axis of the state. Responding, Okorocha ’ s Spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo , accused the governor Hope Uzodinma’ s administration of being confused. Onwuemeodo said , “ This government is a failed one . Look at what a whole attorney general of Imo state called journalists to say . This Government can’ t succeed in its bid to give Okorocha a personality that is not his own . Everybody knows Okorocha as a man of peace . This government only interest is loot the commonwealth of the state. ” THE PUNCH

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Post Date : February 19, 2021

Many Kidnapped As Bandits Attack Katsina Villages

At least, 17 women and an unknown number of children were reportedly kidnapped in Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State on their way to a wedding ceremony in Funtua Local Government Area of the state. A source from the area disclosed that the majority of the women were carrying children when they were intercepted on Thursday by unknown gunmen who whisked them away to an unknown location. “The incident happened when the women were on their way from Unguwar Rimi Village to Garin Maigora town to attend a wedding ceremony,” the source said, adding that almost all the women were carrying babies at the time they were abducted. The source revealed however that one of the women was released together with her baby by the suspected bandits due to the health condition of the child. A resident of the area, who expressed concerns over the incident, also disclosed that the security situation in the area had deteriorated due to increased bandits’ activities in recent time. It was also reported that, on Wednesday, suspected bandits kidnapped eight persons – three married women and five men – at Dugun sambo village, Dandume Local Government Area of Katsina State. Also, suspected bandits kidnapped four – two male adults and two married women – at Unguwar Tashuka village of Sayau ward, Sabuwa Local Government Area, Katsina state around 2:00 am. Similarly, unidentified gunmen attacked Tashar Bawa and Sayau Dangado villages around 10:15 am on Tuesday where they carted away many boxer motorcycles and mobile phones. They however tried to kidnap some people at Sayau Dangado village but took to their heels when military vehicles arrived. When contacted for confirmation, the Police spokesperson in Katsina, SP Isah Gambo, promised to make an inquiry into the matter before comment.

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Post Date : February 19, 2021

Negotiation for abducted Kagara students, others’ release at final stage —Niger gov

Arrangements and consultations are ongoing between the government of Niger and the bandits for the purpose of releasing the abducted 27 students , three staff and family members of Government Science College, Kagara, the state government has confirmed . Governor Abubakar Sani -Bello of Niger State says “ the state government is at the final stage of negotiation” for the release of the victims in a state live broadcast in Minna on Friday. 27 students , three staff and family members of Government Science College Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of the state, were abducted by suspected gunmen on Wednesday. The governor said the government was doing everything through interfacing with the federal , local government and the state authority to rescue the victims “ At the moment , there is no additional information apart from the one we have at hand . Our priority is to make sure we bring back the students safe , things are speculated or rumoured, but we cannot work with these at situations like this , ” he said . The governor noted that the state was using kinetic and non- kinetic measures to bring back the children to safety and assured parents and families of the victims to be hopeful as everything possible was being done . He disclosed that an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi , had offered to assist the government voluntarily and had both agreed that a comprehensive memo was sent to the government on his findings He urged traditional leaders to support government efforts by giving useful intelligence on criminals hiding in their communities and suspected movements in their domains. Gumi also said in an interview with newsmen that there was a positive outcome from his interaction with the bandits as they were in various factions . He said the grievances of the bandits were simple as they complained of being persecuted, arrested, and lynched and urged the federal government to grant them blanket amnesty . The Niger State Government has appealed to bandits across the state to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue and reconciliation for peace and security to prevail . Also , the Information Officer to the Secretary to the Government of Niger State , Alhaji Ahmed Matane , told the bandits to surrender arms. Matane made the appeal in Dutsen Magaji , Mariga Local Government Area of the state while addressing some group of people suspected to be bandits and their commanders . Matane , who was accompanied by Gumi , Kaduna- based Islamic scholar, called on other elements such as kidnappers and cattle rustlers to join in the peace dialogue process to put an end to the security challenges that have bedeviled the state. He enjoined leaders of the bandits to support the government to secure the release of the abducted passengers of the state transport authority and students of Government Science College, Kagara, adding that the unfortunate incidents in recent days called for sober reflection. Matane reaffirmed that government would continue to ensure the security of lives and property by strengthening the security architecture of the state and the need for people to collaborate with the government in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements . He stressed the need for religious leaders and other stakeholders to embark on how to get the bandits , kidnappers , and cattle rustlers to key into the peace initiatives of the government . In his remarks, Gumi expressed optimism that dialoguing with the bandits would put an end to the current insecurity in the state and country at large. He reminded the bandits that Islam is against taking the lives of innocent people and appealed to them to embrace peace by laying down their arms. Gumi said that he would continue to discuss with the state government to explore whatever assistance and support government would give to them with a view to achieving the set objectives . Some leaders of the bandits in their separate remarks, lauded the state government for the peace process , adding that it would go a long way in restoring peace across the state. They appealed to the state government to assist the release of their members arrested by security agencies and detained across the state for the peace process to thrive. The highlight of the event was the distribution of Islamic books to the bandits by Gumi so as to teach them the doctrine of Islam . ( NAN)

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Post Date : February 19, 2021

Cross River police parade 17 year-old female cultist in possession of gun

Operatives of the Nigerian police in Cross Rivers have arrested and paraded a teenage female student after she confessed that she belong in Sky Queens Confraternity. She was paraded on Friday at the Cross River State Police Command. The teenage female student who was arrested for possession of a pistol has confessed that she also belongs to a cult group “Sky Queens Confraternity”. The suspect admitted that the said firearm was given to her by her boyfriend, Okon Effiom, a married man from Abasi Effiom village in Akpabuyo LGA. The 17-year-old girl, an SS II student of Community Secondary School, Ikot Ewa, Akpabuyo, had in her school bag a locally made double-barrel pistol, which was discovered by the principal of the school.

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Post Date : February 18, 2021

Fani-Kayode not a politician-Fayose declares

The immediate former executive governor of Ekiti State, Peter Ayodele Fayose, has declared that the former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, is not a politician. Mr. Fayose who made the statement on Channels Television Sunday Politics program, anchored and featured on February 14, 2021, added that “Fani-Kayode would have been completely dead as a frontline Nigerian” if he defects to the All Progressives Congress (APC). “Anyone who leaves PDP for the APC at this time must be taken away by his own covetousness. “Some people could choose to be dishonorable not me. I know FFK is going no where. I have spoken to him about six times. “A number of times, is normal for you to sell your market for those who want to buy. “And if FFK leaves PDP, he would have been dead. He is completely dead as a frontline Nigerian. “FFK is not a politcian anyway. FFK is not a day-to- day politcian. But he is a fighter. He is somebody that believes things must be done properly and he is doing that. “I have spoken to him because I have to ask him, “FFK, is this correct”? “Is this true”?. He said, “my brother is far from it”. And I said, “speak up”. And I want him to speak up”, Fayose said. Recall that Fani-Kayode recently had a widely reported meeting with the All Progressives Congress (APC) interim National Chairman, Mai Mala Buni and Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, who categorically stated that Fani-Kayode had joined the ruling party, APC.

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Post Date : February 18, 2021

Former customs boss, Dikko, dies at 61

The former comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Abdullahi Dikko Inde is dead. He died in a hospital in Abuja after a protracted illness. Age 61, Inde who hailed from Musawa town in Katsina State left behind a wife and two children. Recall, the former customs boss had a running battle with anti-graft agencies, EFCC and ICPC where it was alleged he forfeited some substantial amount of money and cars.

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Post Date : February 18, 2021

Ugandan Soldiers Jailed For Assaulting Journalists

Four Ugandan soldiers were handed prison sentences of up to three months by a military court on Thursday for taking part in the brutal beating of local journalists covering the country’s opposition leader. The seven injured journalists were covering an effort by opposition leader Bobi Wine to file a petition on Wednesday with the United Nations against human rights abuses when they were set upon by security forces. One of the journalists remained hospitalised with a deep head wound, according to the Uganda Editors’ Guild. The 38-year-old former popstar Wine has alleged January’s election was rigged, and his petition to the UN detailed alleged abuses such as illegal detentions, torture, forced disappearances and continued harassment of opposition groups. The journalists were injured as military police chased his supporters away from the United Nations’ offices in Kampala. An army statement said a disciplinary committee of the court-martial had “convened and deliberated on its officers and militants who misbehaved and assaulted members of the fourth estate”. Four soldiers were given detention sentences of between 60-90 days, and a fifth was issued with a severe reprimand. Also on Thursday defence forces chief David Muhoozi called a press conference to apologise to the media, promising to pay for the medical care of the injured journalists. Journalists in Uganda often face rough treatment at the hands of security forces, which soared during an election marred by the worst bloodshed in years, as well as a sustained crackdown on government critics. Shortly before the election, when asked why police were assaulting journalists, police chief Martin Ochola said it was for their own good, and refused to apologise. “We are telling you there’s a danger there, but you are insisting you must go where there is danger. Yes we shall beat you for your own sake, to help you understand not to go there. Yes, we shall use reasonable force to ensure that you don’t go where there’s a risk,” he said. The head of the UN in Uganda, Rosa Malango, condemned Wednesday’s attack. “We deplore the excessive use of force by military police which contravened the arrangements made… to ensure safe delivery of this petition”. US Ambassador to Uganda Natalie Brown said journalists should not be attacked for doing their job: “Those who violate press freedom must be held to account.” The incident was also widely condemned by media and civil society institutions. “We note with concern that attacks against journalists which started during the campaigns for presidential elections continue to date and appear to have become an operational norm for Ugandan security personnel,” the Federation for African Journalists said. AFP

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Post Date : February 18, 2021

Bauchi man arraigned for kidnapping, raping neighbour’s wife

A man , Rabo Muhammadu , of Guggu Village in Nabordo District of Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State has been dragged to Court by the Ministry of Justice in the state for alleged kidnapping and raping a married woman several times . He was arraigned before Justice Aliyu Baba Usman of the Bauchi State High Court Number Four on Thursday. The Deputy Director in Charge of Litigations in the Ministry , Sabiu Gumba , told the Court that the offence was contrary to section 3 ( 1) and section 10 of the kidnapping law and punishable under section 11 of the kidnapping, theft of cattle and rape special provision law 2017. Statements before Police investigators which were filed in the court by the counsel to the husband of the kidnapped woman, Yusuf Lawan, said three men armed with guns and dangerous weapons abducted the woman. They alleged that before taking the woman away, the gunmen who covered their faces with veils demanded one million naira from her husband . When he could not give them , they kidnapped his wife to an unknown destination and dropped the telephone number 09073602385 for negotiation. Lawan said in the process of collecting the ransom, one of the accused persons, a neighbour to the victim was arrested while the other suspects ran away. The Victim , Maryam Yusuf , in her statement said when she was kidnapped, she was taken to Yuga Forest where all the three suspected kidnappers raped her severally . The woman , a mother of four children, claimed that she was able to recognize one of the kidnappers who is their neighbour. When the case was mentioned, the accused pleaded not guilty to all the two -count charges. The presiding Judge, Justice Aliyu Usman , adjourned the case to March 8, 2021, for trial.

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Post Date : February 18, 2021

Nigeria exits recession with 0.11% growth

Nigeria’s economy grew by 0.11 percent in the fourth of 2020. This comes after two consecutive quarters of negative growth which result in a recession. “Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.11 percent (year-on-year) in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2020, representing the first positive quarterly growth in the last three quarters,” the report read. “Though weak, the positive growth reflects the gradual return of economic activities following the easing of restricted movements and limited local and international commercial activities in the preceding quarters. “As a result, while the Q4 2020 growth rate was lower than growth rate recorded the previous year by –2.44 percentage points, it was higher by 3.74 percentage points compared to Q3 2020. “On a quarter on quarter basis, real GDP growth was 9.68 percent indicating a second positive consecutive quarter on quarter real growth rate in 2020 after two negative quarters. “Overall, in 2020, the annual growth of real GDP was estimated at –1.92 percent, a decline of –4.20 percentage points when compared to the 2.27 percent recorded in 2019.” An average daily oil production of 1.56 million barrels per day (mbpd) was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2020; 0.11mbpd lower than the production recorded in the third quarter. On a year-on-year basis, the oil sector grew by -19.76 percent. In 2020, the oil sector grew at –8.89 percent compared to 4.59 percent in 2019. The oil sector contributed 5.87 percent to total real GDP in Q4 2020. The non-oil sector grew by 1.69 percent in real terms in Q4 2020, slower than the 2.26 percent recorded in the corresponding quarter of 2019, but better than the –2.51% growth rate recorded in Q3 2020. For the full year of 2020 however, the non-oil sector grew –1.25 percent compared to 2.06 percent in 2019. In real terms, the non-oil sector contributed 94.13 percent to the nation’s GDP in the fourth quarter of 2020, higher than the share recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019 (92.68 percent) and the third quarter of 2020 (91.27 percent). For 2020, the non-oil sector contributed 91.84 percent to real GDP, higher than 91.22 percent recorded in 2019.

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Post Date : February 18, 2021

herdsmen kill seven in Edo

Suspected herdsmen have killed seven farmers in some communities in Edo State. The gruesome attack was said to have been carried out on Wednesday at Ugboke, Oshodi, Okokodo, Ariyan, and Yoruba camp situated in Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state. The police spokesperson in the state, Chidi Nwabuzor, who confirmed the incident, said efforts were on to arrest the perpetrators. An indigene of the area, Janet Ighodaro, said the killer herdsmen used the popular Yoruba camp located in Ovia North-East LGA as a base to launch an attack into various communities in the area. Mrs Ighodaro said, “I was lucky to escape the stray bullets. I have come to Benin City to take refuge with her family. The suspected gunmen shot sporadically killing seven persons.” Four of the victims, Mrs Ighodaro said, were returning from their farm when they were shot and killed on the spot. “Others were killed in their farms,” she added. She lamented that the gruesome attack on the camps and communities was reported to the police. She said security presence in the area was zero. Mrs Ighodaro stressed that the policemen who arrived in the area on Wednesday only stopped at Okokhua community. “They (the police) rather instructed affected communities to bring the dead bodies to them at Okokhuo,” she said. She called on security operatives to come to their rescue as a matter of urgency. Police spokesperson, Mr Nwabuzor, said the dead bodies have been evacuated from the bush. “The State Police Command is aware of the incident that happened within the jurisdiction of Ekhiadolor Divisional Police Command. The DPO and his operatives visited the crime site and evacuated the bodies, and moves are on to ensure that place is calm and the lives return to normalcy. “Also, the police is carrying out its investigation to effect the arrest of the criminal herdsmen who perpetrated the dastardly acts. The command is bent on using every legal means to fish out the criminals,” Mr Nwabuzor explained. Killer herdsmen had been linked with the rising cases of kidnappings and other criminal activities in Edo State lately. On February 3, several women blocked major roads in Uromi, Esan North-East LGA to protest against the activities of killer herdsmen which they said have brought untold hardship to their communities. They listed the criminal activities of the herdsmen to include armed robbery, raping, and destruction of farmlands and crops, among others.

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