Crime Facts

You’ll be the first to run away when problem starts, Lai taunts secessionists

Lai Mohammed, minister of information and culture, says secession is not the solution to Nigeria’s problem. He said the advocates of secession will be the first to flee the country if a crisis breaks out. The minister said the federal government is working to prevent all secession tendencies. Mohammed spoke on Sunday during a radio programme on Bond FM. “Those who support separation and secession will be the first to run away when any problem starts,” he said. “We should not listen to them as many of them have about four passports of other countries.” The minister said the unity of Nigeria is more important than all the issues threatening its continued existence. He said ethnic clashes are not new in the country and added that “you don’t cure headache by beheading the patient”. Mohammed said: “That we have ethnicity issues is not new. IPOB, Boko Haram and farmer-herders clashes are not new; all we must do is to look for the way forward. “We are aware of them, the government is working. Secession is not the way out of our challenges. You don’t cure headache by beheading the patient. “The things that unite us in Nigeria are more than what separate us.” The minister’s comments on secession are coming in the wake of a rally organised by Ilana Oódua, a group of Yoruba self-determination activists who are seeking to secede. The rally took place on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo state capital.

2023: It’s time for Igbo presidency, says Clark

Prominent Ijaw leader and First Republic Minister of Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has thrown his weight behind the current moves by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo to produce Nigeria’s next President in 2023. Clark stated this on Sunday when he received in the audience, the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and some South-East leaders led by the President General, Professor George Obiozor, at his Asokoro, Abuja residence. Going down memory lane, Clark told his guests that the First Nigerian President, the Late Nnamdi Azikiwe, worked with the people of the South-Southl., to carve out the Mid-West as an independent region in the defunct First Republic. He pledged to mobilise his people to reciprocate Azikiwe’s gesture by working with the South-East leaders to produce an Igbo presidency in 2023. Clark said, “I don’t belong to any political party, but I speak my mind. The man who brought Politics into Nigeria was late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, I knew him when I was I was 20 years when he visited Warri, we trekked 12 miles to come and see him. “Some of the problems we are having today in Delta was as a result of the support from Azikiwe and without that, we would not have got Mid-West region that later became Bendel State and now Edo and Delta states. We are together, we are one. “We are supporting the South East region. Anybody from the Mid West, anybody from Oshimili South and North, Aniocha South and North, Ika, Agbor or Ukwani, if you say I am ready to be the President of Nigeria because I am an Igbo, that is punishable because when you do something that people don’t like, it abominable. “I have said it, all the Igbo in Anioma, Rivers, in Delta, where ever they are, this is the time for Igbo, South-East President. “We have the same problem, when we went to the 2014 National Conference, we said that the South East has five states, they should be given additional states so that everyone will have some states like in other zones if that will stablise Nigeria. “We want the President coming after Buhari to come from the South-East, we are together. “Let me advise, if you must fight a war or fight for anything at all, we must put our house in order. What do we do with other voices that are not in tandem with our voices? We must find a way to see what can be done, they have their own point, but at the same time, they should also listen to us.”

Seven Killed, Many Injured As Suspected Herdsmen Attack Benue Community

Seven family members have been killed following an invasion of a Benue community by suspected herdsmen. The gunmen were said to have attacked the Mbamondu community at the outskirts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital in the early hours of Saturday. Mbamondu is in the Modern Market Council Ward of Makurdi Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the attackers also inflicted various degrees of injuries on five others with three in critical condition being treated at a medical facility in Makurdi. A survivor who narrated how the attackers invaded the community to the State Commissioner for Lands, Survey and Solid Minerals, Mr Bernard Unenge, described the attack as unprovoked. On his part, the Commissioner said he had to call on the security operatives that were stationed around the Adaka community, also on the outskirts of the state capital who responded swiftly. However, before the military agencies got to the scene of the incident, the assailants had already fled after accomplishing their mission. Unenge told journalists that seven dead bodies were recovered and deposited at the Federal Medical Centre Makurdi while five persons were also injured with three in very critical condition. He described the incident as heart wrenching and tragic as it happened unprovoked, pointing out that his people were shot and butchered like animals.

Auchi Poly’s Dean found dead in office

The Dean of Students’ Affairs, Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi in Edo State, Dr Shola Eshiobo, is dead. A family source who craved anonymity said the lifeless body of Eshiobo was discovered in his office on Sunday morning. The source said the wife of the deceased raised an alarm after her husband failed to return home since he left for the office on Saturday. The source said, “He went to the office after leaving the house on Saturday afternoon. He said he was going to the office to attend to some official matters. He normally goes to the office when he has so much in his hands to do. “At about 9pm when he was not yet back home, the wife started calling his line but he did not take the calls and didn’t call back. She tried until late, still no response. “Early on Sunday morning, she raised an alarm and told people around that the husband went to the office on Saturday but did not return. They went to the office, they saw his vehicle at the car park, but when they got into his office, they saw his lifeless body.” The source said although no foul play was suspected, an autopsy will be carried out to ascertain the cause of the death. “The corpse has been deposited at the mortuary. Although we are not suspecting any foul play, for now, an autopsy will be carried out,” he added. When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of Auchi Polytechnic, Mr Mustapha Oshiobugie, described the incident as unfortunate. “We heard about the unfortunate incident this (Sunday) morning. The body has been taken to the morgue. An official statement will be made available on Monday,” he stated.

774,000 jobs: FG begins partial payment of stipends to beneficiaries

The Federal Government, Sunday, said it has begun partial payment of the N20,000 monthly stipend to beneficiaries of the 774,000 Special Public Works programme. Minister of State, Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), made the disclosure in a statement to clarify the Federal Government’s position in relation to delay in payment of stipends to the workers. Aggrieved workers had frowned at the delay in payment of their stipends which the government attributed to the mismatch of Bank Verification Numbers and other details supplied by the beneficiaries. Keyamo’s statement reads in part, “After the release of some of the funds by the Ministry of Finance for the payment of SPW stipends, I directed rigorous scrutiny of the accounts of the participants before payment. “We discovered instances of accounts not matching BVNs, multiple accounts bearing a single BVN, non-existent BVNs, etc. “Because of our determination to eliminate fraud, I further directed the NDE to write to the banks to clean up these anomalies before commencing payments. “So far, only Access Bank has responded with accounts verified for payment and the NDE has today commenced payment of those accounts with Access Bank.” Keyamo restated the Federal government’s determination to ensure that those selected for the programme get paid and that it does not spiral into a vehicle for fraud.

Masari: Buhari Tolerating Rubbish From Some People

Governor Bello Masari of Katsina State says President Muhammadu Buhari has been tolerating rubbish from some people. In an interview with Television Continental (TVC), Masari said while some other leaders could not stand harsh criticisms, Buhari has been tolerant. Masari also said the president has not failed on his campaign promises, describing the the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the most reliable party in Nigeria. “Anybody saying the rating of a particular political party has gone down… it can only be tested during elections. And from what we have seen in the (APC) revalidation of new members, I think you are getting it wrong. “I think APC is still the strongest, most reliable and dependable party in Nigeria today. (And) I don’t think Buhari has failed us. I think he has tolerated us. “And you know we had a president, even though a civilian president, who couldn’t take all this rubbish that some people are doing. But Buhari is taking everything.”

Why NCAA suspended Pastor Adeboye helicopter

Indications have emerged that the General Overseer (GO) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye may not have been aware of the safety details leading to the grounding of his private chopper by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This is just as key players in the sector have called on the management of Omni-Blu, the company managing the chopper of the RCCG GO, to clear the air on issues surrounding the grounding of the chopper and the bribery allegations by the spiritual father. NCAA grounded the chopper following the expiration of its operational papers and spare parts. The chopper, AgustaWestland AW139 chopper marked 5N-EAA, was grounded by the NCAA to give room for safety checks to be conducted on it. The NCAA has called for maintenance and safety inspections to be carried out on the said chopper. Until the inspection is conducted, the chopper remains grounded. An attempt by Pastor Adeboye to travel on the said chopper two weeks ago to attend a special meeting with his ordained ministers at the RCCG Region 21 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital ran into a hitch when the chopper was not cleared by the relevant aviation authorities. Adeboye who eventually flew to Ibadan in another chopper revealed to the gathering why he came late citing how someone unnecessarily delayed him because the person requested a bribe from him before he could fly on his chopper. He reportedly said: “Something must be done about corruption in this nation. All I can say is that I am this late because somebody wanted a bribe. And you know if you are expecting a bribe from me, you have to wait forever.” The bribery allegations have since sparked debates among the key players across the sector.

FG To Recruit Fresh Soldiers Soon Over Insurgency, Banditry

The Defence Minister, Magashi Bashir, has said that Federal Government will soon commence recruitment of officers and soldiers across the country. Speaking at the headquarters of the Theatre Command in Maiduguri when he led The Chief of Defense Staff, General Lucky Irabor and other service chiefs on an operational visit, the Magashi said the move is part of the government’s strategy to meet up manpower shortfalls as the country battles insurgency and banditry. The Minister said the motive of the visit was to assess the fighting spirit of the troops of operation Lafiya Dole and also to motivate them. While addressing the troops, Magashi intimated them of the government’s plan to recruit more hands to relieve battle fatigued soldiers. “Very soon we will embark on the recruitment of other soldiers and officers so that we improve the manpower holding of our armed forces,” he said. “We will bring new equipment, new skills in which I will like all of you to benefit from to enable you to be more proficient, more effective in this assignment you’re doing. We have lost time; we are now almost ten years in this operation. “There are many other operations that we are doing in terms of banditry and other things in this country and I am sure that given the right tools, you will do this country proud. We believe in you, your training, professionalism and we believe you can do the country the requirements of beating the Boko haram as we have it now. “There are a lot of you outside in other places both in the northwest, northcentral and even in the southwest and south-east. Please see this as a sacrifice, see this profession as the profession that it only God you should fear.” Speaking further, the Defence Minister told journalists that the government takes the welfare of the troops serious, hence the directive for proper documentation of all issues. He added, “We have already directed that all their problems be put on the paper to enable us to study it and come up with a plan. “We have also studied their requirements and we have come here to verify and see how best we can proceed so that we can end this war.”

Petrol tanker explosion ‘kills many’ in Benue community

Many persons have been reportedly killed after a petrol tanker exploded in Oshigbudu community in Agatu LGA of Benue state. It was gathered that the tanker fully loaded with fuel exploded at the Oshigbudu-Obagaji junction after an accident on Sunday evening. It caught fire when its contents spilled along the road and to a nearby filling station. The number of casualties or extent of damage was not immediately clear but many structures were said to have been razed in the explosion. It was also learnt that urgent assistance could not come because of how remote the area is, causing residents to resort to self-help. Emmanuel Shior, executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency, also told Channels TV that “many lives” were lost in the incident. “The fire inferno at Oshugbudu in Agatu local Government, my local government of origin today (Sunday) which has claimed so many lives and destroyed properties yet to be quantified, is the chief of all the calamities that have fallen us this year,” he was quoted to have said. “As I pray God to comfort the good people of Agatu and most especially those directly involved, over the lost, I wish to call on government at all levels and spirited individuals to come to our aids in order to drastically reduce the effect of the disaster on the people.” Similar explosions have been a frequent occurrence in the country in recent months. Earlier in March, some persons were reportedly killed after a petrol tanker rammed into some vehicles along the Nyanya-Keffi Nasarawa expressway in Abuja.

Security experts reject Pantami’s plea over pro-Taliban, Al-Qaeda comments

Some security experts on Saturday dismissed the apology by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, over some controversial comments he made in the past in support of global terrorist groups, Al-Qaeda and Taliban. The security analysts said Pantami’s comments were too weighty to be discarded, demanding either the minister’s wilful resignation or sacking by President Muhammadu Buhari For instance, a retired Army Captain in the United States Army, Bishop Johnson, said it was not common for people with extremist ideologists to change overnight. He said it was more troubling when people with extremist ideologies were in charge of sensitive national data. “When people have radical ideologies, they don’t change overnight. They will carry such ideologies into whatever offices they occupy. So people with extremist ideologies should not occupy sensitive positions,” Johnson said. Pantami has been under fire lately over comments he allegedly made several years ago in support of Al-Qaeda – an extremist group founded by the late Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. Bin Laden was killed on May 2, 2011 by the US Navy SEALs inside a private residential compound in Pakistan. Pantami also made comments in support of Taliban, a Sunni Islamist movement and military organisation in Afghanistan currently waging jihad within the country. “This jihad is an obligation for every single believer, especially in Nigeria,’’ Pantami was quoted to have said in one of his vicious preaching in the 2000s. “Oh God, give victory to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda,” he was also quoted to have prayed. As massive outrage and demand for his sacking continued on social media on Saturday, Pantami renounced his controversial comments on terrorism. He stated that some of his past views were made out of immaturity, alleging that attacks on him by Nigerians were politically instigated. He spoke during his daily Ramadan lecture in Abuja on Saturday. Pantami said, “For 15 years, I have moved round the country while educating people about the dangers of terrorism. I have travelled to Katsina, Gombe, Borno and Kano states, and Difa in the Niger Republic to preach against terrorism. “I have engaged those with Boko Haram ideologies in different places. I have been writing pamphlets in Hausa, English and Arabic. I have managed to bring back several young persons who have derailed from the right path.” He added, “Some of the comments I made some years ago that are generating controversies now were based on my understanding of religious issues at the time, and I have changed several positions taken in the past based on new evidence and maturity.” Pantami said he made some of the controversial comments when he was still a teenager and insisted that he had changed his views about the issues being used against him currently. He said, “I was young when I made some of the comments. I was in the university. Some of the comments were made when I was a teenager. I started preaching when I was 13. “Many scholars and individuals didn’t understand some international events and, therefore, took some positions based on their understanding. Some have come to change their positions later.” Some officials of the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy had also defended the minister and expressed worry over social media attacks against Pantami lately. The minister’s aide, Uwa Suleiman, told Sunday PUNCH that Pantami had always kicked against acts of terrorism and wondered why he was being attacked on terrorism issues. However, despite Pantami’s regrets over the comments, Johnson, the retired US Army Captain, said the minister should be sacked by the President should he (Pantami) fail to resign. “When there is an outcry by the people, such a person should resign but if he doesn’t, the President who appointed him into the office has the obligation to relieve him of his duties so that the issue doesn’t drag the administration,” Johnson said. Johnson added that the Pantami issue could be likened to the situation with a former Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, who resigned over the National Youth Service Corps certificate scandal. “You are aware of the NYSC certificate scandal of the former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun. She resigned when the issue was dragging the administration. It’s similar to the Pantami case. He (Pantami) should not occupy that kind of office,” Johnson said. He also cautioned against poor vetting and screening of people holding public offices in the future. “Up to the university level, you have to look at the theses they wrote because all these things will help to know the individual’s ideology and philosophy. The screening process in Nigeria is a joke. The ministerial nominees just go before the Senate and take a bow, without asking them any questions and looking at their pasts,” he added. Also, the National President of Criminology and Security Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Williams Ekposon, said though Pantami claimed to have renounced his support for terrorist groups, the minister was not worthy of being entrusted with information as sensitive as Nigerians’ data. He urged Pantami to apologise to Nigerians and resign from his appointment. Ekposon said, “We have to be very careful of our speech and how we go about doing things. Professionally, that kind of person should not be in charge of the data of Nigerians. No statesman will admire being identified with Al-Qaeda or Taliban or any other terrorist group. “In the light of the position he is holding, Nigerians are not secure; our data are not secure with somebody who had wept sentiments with terrorists. A terrorist is a psychedelic being. If a sensitive public office holder has made a statement that is in connection to terrorists, there is something fishy about it. He should apologise to Nigerians and humbly resign. Let it be that the appointment was made in error.” Also, a Lagos-based security expert, Dickson Osajie, advised the minister to tender his resignation on account of his “romance with terrorists” in the past. He said