May 2021 – Page 14 – Crime Facts

Post Date : May 12, 2021

Adebanjo: Buhari must resign or step aside now

The Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, on Tuesday reiterated the call for President Muhammadu Buhari to resign or step aside over his administration’s inability to address insecurity and the dwindling economic challenges confronting the country. Speaking during the 95th birthday of the leader of the group and the dedication of a church in the honor of Chief Reuben Fasonrati, in Iju/Ita Ogbolu in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, the Acting National leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, said the Buhari led government had incapacitated the country and had failed to address the increasing wave of insecurity and downturn of the economy. Adebanjo said that with the series of challenges confronting the country, President Buhari ought to have resigned long ago without being forced to. He said President had failed the people of the country saying there is no better time to leave but now, noting that Buhari’s government can no longer handle the situation. Adebanjo said ” I have told them that in a better and civilized country he should have gone long ago. If he has self-respect, he should have gone because everything has to fall. What is he presiding over? Is it over corruption, security, education? Law and order have broken down in the country for the past three years. It is only because Nigerians are over tolerance of despots, that is why he is still there. He lambasted the youth for failing the country and said “the younger generation has failed the country. The country was not as bad as this when we were demonstrating for self-governance. “They want the old men to fight their cause for them. Why should people like me be in the trenches at 93 and Baba Fasoranti at 95. Where are those in their 40s and 30s. “When we were at their age, we were in the street, at Lagos, London, everywhere and when we were in the university. What we have to say is jobbery where you can get somebody in the government to get you a job. “You are PDP in the morning, APC in the afternoon and SDP in the evening, and they say they are young, the youth should be ashamed of themselves.” He however expressed optimism that there is light at the end of the tunnel, saying “as a Christian, I still have hope. If Nigerians are conscious of their right, and they know what to do but where is the demonstration in the country that the Buhari government must go? The Bishop of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Rt. Revd. Simeon Borokini, described Fasonrati as a rare breed who has etched his mark in the sand of time. Borokini said “We are here to celebrate teacher of teachers, mentor and leader, an educationist, a rare gift to Yoruba race and generation, a fighter, who has built a legacy that cannot be faulted” According to him, Fasonrati has the courageous and upright personality that is missing in the country leadership saying Nigeria needs such a leader at this present time to forge a united country. He noted that Fasoranti was never accused of corruption while he served as Commissioner of finance in Ondo state. He said ” Baba never think Nigeria will generate to the level of what we are today. Insecurity, corruption are everywhere and those people that are supposed to take action against it are playing lips service to it. This is a shame. However, there is still hope, all hope is not lost but we should be ready to love one another. We cannot continue like this, we should change our heart towards our fellow men. We must learn to forgive one another. The heart of many had hardened with a hot iron, leadership has been detached from the people, many have deviated from the path of righteousness. Nigeria is becoming a big joke to the people of the world, but there is hope, all is not lost. We must come to God in repentance and must be ready to do the right thing. “We cannot continue like this as a nation but we must return to our creator for direction. We must learn to love all and let our hearts free of hatred. “Peace can be returned to Nigeria if we do His ways just as He said in the Bible that in the world we shall overcome tribulation.” The state governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, also described Fasoranti as one of the best assets of the Yoruba nation and a hero of democracy who should be celebrated. Akeredolu who was represented by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said “we gather here today to celebrate one of the best from the Yoruba nation. His selfless service stands him out and he remains one of the heroes of democracy in the country today. His presence is a symbolic asset to the Yoruba race. We should all stand to join him in his dream to bring about a united and strong Yoruba nation.

Post Date : May 12, 2021

Ndume Tackles Southern Governors, Rejects Ban On Open Grazing

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume, has faulted the decision of southern governors to ban open grazing of cattle. Southern Governors Forum (SGF), had at its meeting held in Asaba, Delta State Capital, on Tuesday, unanimously prohibited open grazing in the region in order to checkmate herders-farmers clashes. Speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday, Ndume, who represents Borno South in the Senate, said Nigeria’s security problems is not about open grazing. The issue of insecurity, he argued, is unique to each geopolitical zone. The lawmaker said: “The governors are deviating from the matter. The problem is not about open grazing. The problem is security. Most of the insecurity problems confronting Nigeria is not in the bush. “We have four different types of security challenges. We have the insurgency in the North East, IPOB through the Eastern Security Network is creating insecurity in the South East, there is banditry in the North West. “It is only in the North Central that we have issues of farmers-herders clashes. There is less problem in the South – West except for the clashes between the herdsmen and the farmers and the agitators for the Yoruba nation. “Similarly, in the South – South, they are trying to instigate the avengers but so far the area is peaceful. The issue of insecurity is unique to each zone.” Ndume, however, reiterated that the military must be provided with adequate weapons to prosecute the war against insurgency. He also said salaries and allowances of military personnel ought to be paid in time. He, therefore, urged President Muhammadu Buhari to priortise the issue of security. “That means even if they will stop paying us and use the money to tackle security. Is it not when you are secure that you talk of other things? It is not only the politicians but everybody. “If you know that you cannot move out of your house and they say sacrifice your salary, won’t you do it? Many people are working from home, yet they are being paid. They should stop paying salaries and address the whole issue of insecurity. If you don’t have money, stop paying salaries and allowances and use the money to provide security. “If you are borrowing money to provide infrastructure, why can’t we borrow money to protect our people?” Ndume said. Ndume commended the troops for their response to the latest attack by the Boko Haram in Maiduguri, Borno State capital. “On Tuesday evening, around 6pm, a group of Boko Haram insurgents wanted to infiltrate Maiduguri but the armed forces responded swiftly and neutralize and repelled the insurgents. “I understand that most of the insurgents were killed. The Army, Air Force, police and the civilian JTF, played a very significant role in repelling the insurgents. If such reaction from the armed forces is sustained, the insurgents would be repelled whenever they surface anywhere in the North-East,” he said.

Post Date : May 11, 2021

Vendors to begin strike today as police arrest seven in Imo

Uproar yesterday trailed arrest of news agents and vendors by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Inspector General of Police, which arrested no fewer than seven newspaper vendors and distribution agents in Imo State. The police operatives swooped on them, yesterday, at their 5, Rotibi Street, Douglas Road, Owerri, base as the circulation of the day’s newspapers was ongoing. Other vendors and distribution agents who ran away, told journalists that the gun-wielding police operatives accused them of circulating newspapers, magazines and publications that had stories on the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB. Although, four of the vendors were said to have been released at press time, vendors in the state have vowed to begin stake, today, over increasing harassment of their members. Imo govt reacts This came as the state government washed its hands over the matter. Imo State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Declan Emelumba, in a text message said: ‘’The Imo State Government did not order arrest of vendors. The exercise was purely a security operation by security operatives obviously for informed security reasons. However, the arrested vendors have been released.’’ One of the vendors, who escaped arrest said: “As we were circulating our newspapers for the Monday edition, policemen putting on jackets that had IRT inscription swooped on us and started arresting us. The ones they took away were the ones that had newspapers that had IPOB stories and the ones they said were against the government.” Some of the vendors and distribution agents arrested by the IGP’s team are Nnamso Okoro, Nelson Enyiama, Blessing Isinwa, Onyebuchi Iwundu, and Michael. Imo State Circulation Manager of the New Telegraph Newspaper, Chuks Ugwuibe, is still being held in an undisclosed security facility after he was arrested in Orlu, last Tuesday by security operatives while taking his weekly returns from vendors. The arrest of the newspaper vendors and distribution agents elicited reactions as residents of the state asked the government to stop press clamp down. The arrest affected circulation of newspapers in the state, yesterday, as the other vendors and distribution agents fled over the fear of being arrested. ‘Stop gagging the press’ At the Government House Roundabout, Owerri, where people usually gather to read newspapers, some people fumed, and called on the government to stop gagging the press. “Do they think that arresting vendors and distribution agents and journalists will stop us from knowing the truth. They don’t know journalists, the more you arrest them, the more they write. ‘’Journalists are very strong people. Journalists are stubborn. They are very courageous. Journalists are trained to expose the evils in society. Journalists are always on the side of the people,” one of them said Another aggrieved resident said: “This administration is very clueless. Just look at the insecurity bedeviling our country; the only strength they have is to arrest newspaper vendors and distribution agents who are doing their lawful businesses. Why is it that this administration hates press freedom? Why is it that this administration does not like the truth? “Insurgents have taken over LGAs in Bauchi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, and Nasarawa states and they are about entering Abuja and the only response this government has is to arrest vendors and distribution agents. ‘’Very soon, they will start arresting journalists, but that will not solve the problem. Government should be proactive not this petty approach.” Contacted, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Abutu Yaro, said the operatives were not from his command. Contacted also, the Force spokesperson, Frank Mba. promised to get back to him but was yet to do so as of press time. Imo vendors begin strike today Meanwhile, four of the arrested vendors have regained their freedom. In another development, the Nigeria Newspapers Distribution Association, Imo State chapter has declared its readiness to partner with the security operatives on how to curb insecurity in the state. The Chairman, Ikechukwu Tasie, made this statement in Owerri, while condemning the arrest of his members. He said: “The harassment of our members started last two weeks, I have made efforts to reach out to the government to know what we, vendors, can do in partnership with the government about the insecurity situation in the state. “If the government is saying don’t sell this particular paper because of insecurity let us know, let us interface on how to solve this whole issue. However, we condemn what happened on the arrest of our members. Do you know that even the government-owned newspapers, Statesman newspapers were confiscated? “As a result of this, we will be going on strike from tomorrow, Tuesday. We expected the security agencies to write to us if there is any paper they don’t want us to sell. We have a union and there is a leadership. When things like this happen you write to us so that we meet and interface to know the solution,”Tasie said. New dimension to assault on press freedom – IPC Condemning the arrests, Director of the International Press Centre, IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade, said: ‘’Arresting vendors for the content of newspapers they sell is a new dimension to the assault on freedom of expression in Nigeria. It also marks the targeting of peoples means of livelihood in the name of fighting the proscribed IPOB both of which are not acceptable. Following the N5million fine imposed on Channels television for interviewing a spokesperson of IPOB, the government through the security agencies are sending the warning that the Nigerian media must not report the activities of IPOB. But this is impossible with the organisation still carrying out series of activities which the government and the army actually acknowledge. Before the Channels interview for example, the Army said it raided an IPOB operational headquarters in Imo State and killed the commander. ‘’Democracy is threatened when the media is chained and unable to report issues of public interest.’’ NGE decries harassment of vendors Piqued by the development, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, condemned the reported harassment of vendors in Imo State, and demanded

Post Date : May 11, 2021

There Was An Attempt To Burgle Buhari’s Chief Of Staff’s Residence – Presidency

There was an attempt to burgle the residence of Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Presidency has said. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, confirmed that the incident occurred very early on Monday morning. His confirmation followed the report by an online news medium, Peoples Gazette, that gunmen suspected to be robbers invaded the residences of Gambari and another senior aide to the President, Abubakar Maikano – the Admin Officer, located close to the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Quoting administration officials and security sources at the villa, the news outfit said that the incident forced Gambari and Maikano to abandon their residences. The burglars were said to have raided the two houses where they reportedly packed money and other valuable assets. While he was silent on the purported incident at Maikano’s residence, Shehu noted that Gambari confirmed what he described as a foolish attempt to burgle his house. “The Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, has confirmed that there “was a foolish attempt” to burgle his residence at 3:00am this (Monday) morning, but it turned out to be unsuccessful,” the President’s spokesman said in a tweet. He added, “Professor Gambari, whose house is on a street next to the Villa, has assured that there is nothing to worry about from the incident.” According to Peoples Gazette, the residences of the two senior aides to the President were thoroughly ransacked and no one has yet to be arrested in connection with the incidents. This comes amid the disturbing rate of insecurity in the country with several calls on the Federal Government to secure the lives of the people and their properties.

Post Date : May 11, 2021

Arrested helicopter: Abdusalami denies link with bandits

THE Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for a full-scale investigation in order to clear the air on those behind the arrested helicopter allegedly supplying food to criminals. In a statement issued by the national publicity secretary of the forum, Emmanuel Yawe, the ACF stated that the whole scenario was confusing. It said initially, a former head of state was alleged to be responsible, which he had since denied, adding that “ACF believes there is the need for open and transparent investigation in order to clear the air on this serious matter.” ACF recalled, that early in March this year at the height of the kidnap of students of the Jangebe Government girls Secondary School, in Zamfara, the Federal Government slammed a ban of flights over the state. “ln reaction, our national chairman, Chief Audu Ogbe issued a statement calling for the ban to be extended to states such as Borno, Taraba, Benue, Yobe where there were rumours that arms, foodstuffs and other supplies were being dropped for bandits by a mysterious helicopter. Today, there are various accounts that a helicopter that has been used to drop suppllies for the criminals has been arrested. “The accounts are rather confusing with the rather scandalous accusation that a former Head of State, General Abubakar Abdulsalami is the owner of the aircraft. The General has since dismissed the rumour that he owns it”, the statement concluded. However, reacting to the development, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) debunked the claims of having any link with armed bandits or other insurgent elements within Niger state, describing such reports as not only “false, but unfounded.” In a statement made available to journalists on Monday in Minna, the state capital by his media aide, Dr. Yakubu Suleiman, he dismissed the reports by some selected online media, linking him to a purported arrested helicopter said to be supplying foods and lethal weapons to bandits in parts of the state. Abubakar in the statement dissociated himself from such “a heinous crime that is unbecoming of any patriotic citizen”, stressing that ordinarily, he would have ignored such spurious reports, but has to set the record straight. He stated categorically that “this kind of fake news has the potential of aggravating the already tensed security situation in the country and should not be condoned”. Abubakar, however, expressed regrets on how individuals can be so callous to peddle such news to smear the image and character of the people, saying, that “I urged Nigerians to ignore such treacherous acts and to be careful with the kind of information they dished out and shared on social media.”

Post Date : May 11, 2021

Wike Increases Curfew Hours In Rivers After Killing Of Policemen

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has announced the review of the existing night-time curfew in the state. In a state-wide broadcast on Monday at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital, he noted that the initial starting time of 10pm has been adjusted to 7pm until further notice. The governor explained that the time was adjusted by the State Security Council after an appraisal of the recent security situation in which seven police officers were killed in another overnight attack on two police stations and a checkpoint. Before the broadcast, the governor had met with the Police High Command in the state where he announced a cash donation of N20 million each to the families of the 11 policemen killed in the attacks on security formations in the state in the past weeks. He described the killing of innocent policemen as sad and unfortunate, stressing that the security officials did no wrong but were killed doing their job of protecting the people. According to Governor Wike, there is no amount of money that can be equated to life but as a state, the government will always identify with security personnel who lose their lives in course of doing their job. He stated that no form of coercion would make Rivers become a part of any secessionist movement, saying the government was committed to giving the police the necessary support to overcome the challenges in the state. Read the full text of the governor’s broadcast below: My dear people of Rivers State These are extraordinary times for our country and our State. Last week Friday, we witnessed yet another multiple armed ambush on police checkpoints along the East-West road which resulted in the cold-blooded murder of 7 police officers. We again express our condolence to the families of the dead officers and the State’s Police Command for this irreparable loss and pray for the peaceful repose of their innocent souls. We have reviewed the way and manner the recent attacks were executed and discovered that the perpetrators, who disguised themselves as security officers, moved in unhindered from Oyigbo to launch the attack. The nation’s security agencies are on their trail and we are confident that they will all be arrested soon and brought to justice. We wish to assure every resident that we are not intimidated by the sporadic and cowardly attacks on predetermined security targets by faceless criminals on our soil; neither will we be cowed into succumbing to a baseless and doomed secessionists agenda. However, as a further step towards enhancing our collective safety, we have reviewed the existing night-time curfew across the 23 Local Government Areas, which will now start from 7pm and ends at 6am until further notice from tomorrow 11th May 2021. The security agencies are hereby directed to note the new curfew time, ensure strict compliance and effectively deal with any person or group that violates or attempts to violate it. We have reviewed, and for the moment, declined the pressure on the state government to activate our youth to defend the state from these terrorists because we don’t want to complicate our very delicate security situation by creating opportunities for some other monsters to emerge. However, we are determined to deploy everything at our disposal to advance the safety and security of lives and property in our state and nothing will stop us from defeating the evil forces presently threatening our individual and collective security. We continue to appeal to members of the public to understand with us in the midst of the economic troubles that our actions may inflict as our one and only aim is to achieve and sustain the maximum security of lives and property in our dear State. We further appeal to the public to understand that security is everybody’s business and play their own roles, especially in passing intelligence information to the law enforcement agencies to process and take pre-emptive measures to counter and advance our collective security. Once again, thank you for your cooperation as we continue to work with the nation’s security agencies to keep us safe and secure. Thank you and may God bless Rivers State.

Post Date : May 11, 2021

FG restricts gatherings, revives curfew, bans nightclubs, others

The Federal Government on Monday restricted gatherings at worship centres and banned night clubs as parts of measures aimed at preventing the spread of devastating strains of COVID-19 into the country. Amid concern about the strains of the virus in India, South Africa, Turkey and Brazil, the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 at its press briefing in Abuja reintroduced some measures which were put in place during the second COVID-19 wave in the country. at its press briefing in Abuja reintroduced some measures which were put in place during the second COVID-19 wave in the country. READ ALSO: Amaechi inaugurates panel to probe alleged NPA unremitted cash Eminent virologist and Chairman, Expert Review Committee on COVID-19, Professor Oyewale Tomori, and a virologist at the University of Ibadan, Prof David Olaleye, in separate interviews with The PUNCH supported government’s actions. They warned Nigerians that India’s COVID-19 crisis was an indication that there could be a resurgence of the virus in Nigeria. Recall that the World Health Organisation Regional Virologist, Dr Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH on Saturday, said B.1.351 variant of the coronavirus, first found in South Africa, was spreading in 23 African countries. According to him, the African countries include Kenya, Cameroon, Cote D’ ívoire, Malawi, Mauritius, Togo, Botswana, Comoros, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Ghana, South Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Equatorial Guinea, Seychelles and Tanzania. As of Sunday, Africa had recorded 4,673,466 cases. South Africa with 1.59 million cases has the highest number of infections in the continent. Nigeria has so far recorded 165,419 cases of the virus out of which 2,065 have died while 156,300 have been discharged. India, whose cases have attracted global attention following shortage of oxygen and hospital spaces, has recorded 22,991,927 infections. To prevent a similar occurrence in Nigeria, the National Incident Manager, Mukhtar Mohammed, who rolled out preventive measures on Monday, said a nationwide curfew would be introduced from midnight of Monday. He said the curfew would run from 12 midnight till 4am daily. He also said gatherings for worship or weddings should not be more than 50 per cent capacity. He said security agents had been saddled with the responsibility of enforcing all the non-pharmaceutical measures put in place by the government. Mohammed said, “Further to these recommendations and effective from 0001hours of Tuesday, May 11, 2021, this Phase IV of the phased restriction of movement shall come into effect. “We shall maintain restrictions of mass gatherings outside work settings with a maximum number of 50 people in an enclosed space. “Approved gatherings must be held with physical distancing measures and other non-pharmaceutical interventions in place.” He stated that there would be enforcement of a mandatory requirement of a seven-day quarantine for all international passengers. Mohammed added that there would be “enforced temperature checks and no mask, no entry policy in all public settings; workplace buildings, businesses and places of worship. Access to government and commercial premises should be denied to persons without face masks. “The nationwide curfew will be imposed tonight at midnight and it will run through till 4am. No formal restrictions on movement within the country even as citizens are encouraged to refrain from non-essential movements and comply with all non-pharmaceutical interventions and guidelines. “People who are above 60 and or with co-morbidities are encouraged to stay at home. Only essential international travels are encouraged.” According to him, hotels are to remain open while adhering to all non-pharmaceutical interventions, while schools are to deploy the use of antigen-based rapid tests as recommended in the guidelines by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. He added that indoor recreational facilities and gyms were to close until June 11 when the situation would be reviewed while non-contact outdoor sports such as gulf, Polo and tennis were not affected. He added, “In terms of working arrangement, virtual meetings should be encouraged to take place as much as possible. We should avoid large meetings, decongest offices and ensure they are well ventilated. “States have been asked to institute mobile courts to help enforce on the spot fines and close premises that violate these prohibitions. “On communal services, markets and stores, they should ensure that there are spot checks of commercial premises and observed or mandatory non-pharmaceutical interventions. Facility owners and managers and store owners are to ensure that physical distancing is observed. “All mass gatherings remain restricted to 50 persons except where explicit permission has been granted by the state governments. Hotels are to remain open, but they must observe or non-pharmaceutical interventions. “Schools have already opened. However, they should consider the use of approved antigen based rapid diagnostics tests as recommended by the NCDC. “All religious gatherings should be limited to less than 50% capacity to ensure physical distancing and use of face masks are mandatory. “All recreational venues, gyms and indoor sports facilities are to close until June 11 when the situation will be reviewed. However, non-contact outdoor sports such as golf, polo and tennis are not affected by these. “Gatherings in weddings, parties and meetings should also comply with 50 persons. Mass political gatherings, gatherings in the open, a large number of people are strictly to adhere this COVID-19 protocol.” “Event centres, night clubs shall remain closed until further notice. Restaurants are to provide eat-in at 50% capacity and provide takeaways where available.”

Post Date : May 10, 2021

Remove subsidy, economic council tells Buhari, warns states

The Presidential Economic Advisory Council has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to remove subsidy on petrol and adopt a pricing regime that reflects the cost of the commodity, The PUNCH reports. Buhari had in 2019 set up the council chaired by Prof Doyin Salami to replace the regime’s defunct Economic Management Team led by Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo. The council, charged with the responsibility of advising the President on economic policy matters including fiscal analysis, economic growth and a range of internal and global economic issues working with the relevant cabinet members and heads of monetary and fiscal agencies, reports directly to Buhari. Its advice that petrol subsidy be removed formed part of its presentation at its sixth regular meeting with the President last Friday, when it also warned that the subsidy regime would worsen solvency of state governments. According to the document presented at the meeting, a copy of which was obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday, the council drew Buhari’s attention to three issues that it said required urgent attention. They include the need for policy clarity with regard to fuel subsidies which it said would help resolve the dilemma which rising crude oil prices present; the worsening security environment which it said had adversely affected food production leading to higher prices; and the need for the Petroleum Industry Bill to encourage investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. The council noted that improving crude oil prices had led to what it called the Nigerian ‘dilemma.’ The dilemma, it said, resulted from the conflicting implications of higher crude oil prices on the nation’s economy. According to the council, rising crude oil prices improve public sector revenue and reserves of foreign currency while higher crude oil prices mean that the cost of imported petrol should be higher than the N167/litre being paid at filling stations. It noted that the restoration of subsidies created a set of significant problems. It added that as there was no provision for subsidy payments in the 2021 budget, such payments would have to be done by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation thereby further reducing revenues accruing to the Federation Account. This situation, it said, was capable of worsening the solvency of many state governments and could take the country back to 2015 when the Federal Government had to provide ‘bailout’ funding to the states. The council stated, “As there is no provision for subsidy payments in the 2021 budget, such payments will have to be done by the NNPC thereby further reducing revenues accruing to the Federation Account. “The solvency of many state governments will worsen – this could take us back to 2015 when the Federal Government had to provide ‘bailout’ funding to the states.” The Salami-led group added that restoration of subsidy made investment in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector unattractive. The document read, “Council advises as follows: there is an urgent need for clarity and consistency in petrol pricing policy. “Subsidy on petrol be removed and a pricing regime which reflects the cost of petrol adopted. “It is noteworthy that with the exception of petrol, the prices of all other petroleum products have been deregulated; the cost of retaining the subsidy outweighs the benefits, or that the benefits of removing the subsidy are far greater than the costs. “Data published by the National Bureau of Statistics also show that petrol prices are not the same across Nigeria. “In March 2021, petrol prices range between N162.17 and N200.87/litre –the highest being in Lagos State whilst the lowest prices are obtained in Adamawa State. “Council is especially concerned that in addition to further worsening government revenue, re-introduction of subsidies will jeopardise investment in the oil sector and also create uncertainty about general government policy on pricing.” On security, the council noted that there was a consensus on the worsening of the security situation in Nigeria. It listed the sources of security challenges to include Boko Haram and ethno-religious conflicts; political violence; economic and resource-based violence; organised violent groups; and herders/farmers /settlers clashes. The council noted that violence had had impact on human capital and on poverty and vulnerability while physical capital and infrastructure are often damaged; while business and investment suffer. It noted that the economic cost of insecurity was estimated at 2.6 per cent of GDP in 2020, or $10.3 billion. On the way out, the council advised the FG to among others, “Defeat Boko Haram decisively, as a decisive defeat is necessary to permanently keep the insurgency at bay. “There is need to review strategy as to the way forward, examining all options -including seeking the assistance of external powers. “Improve the implementation of policies aimed at improving access and quality of education in underserved areas. “Implement existing law on compulsory attendance of primary school to reduce the number of out of school children, a key recruiting ground for thugs. “Resolve grievances around exclusion from access to power, opportunity, and representation through dialogue. “To be effective, government should involve civil society, the private sector, regional and international organisations focused on peace and conflict resolution in roundtable discussions aimed at resolution of grievances.” On the PIB, the council noted the progress of the bill through the National Assembly. It said, “The importance of this bill to the national economy cannot be overstated. “When enacted, this law will have a profound effect beyond the oil and gas sector. “Potentially, this bill could provide a basis for building and industrial economy for Nigeria. “Implementation of the Paris Agreement has seen a continuous global transition away from fossil fuels towards renewables as primary energy source. “The PIB will join the National Petroleum Policy and the National Gas policy in defining the environment for investment in the oil and gas sector and also influence sentiment around Nigeria as an investment destination.” In a statement released by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, at the end of the meeting on Friday, the Presidency left out the issue of removal of petrol subsidy from

Post Date : May 10, 2021

Oyedepo warns his church members against taking COVID-19 vaccine

David Oyedepo, presiding bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide, has warned members of his church against taking the COVID-19 vaccine, which he claims is “deadly” and untested. The cleric also said he can be consulted for a solution to the coronavirus pandemic. While delivering a sermon during the church’s 40th anniversary service on Sunday, the bishop said he would offer his service at no cost. “They should come to me to find out how to deal with COVID-19 at no cost,” he said. Oyedepo, who has never hidden his aversion for the COVID-19 vaccine, said every church “is anti-COVID-19 zone”. He said: “Let me warn you against this deadly thing circulated around the country because it has not been duly tested. An elder of this church, who works with the World Health Organisation, confirmed this, thanking me for always speaking the truth about the authenticity of the COVID-19 vaccine.” He said it is an “insult” for health workers to visit churches to vaccinate people. “Did I tell anyone I am sick? Don’t let anyone harass you into doing what you don’t want to do,” he said. “What an insult! What an assault! Nobody has the right to enforce vaccination on you, and anybody cannot terminate your employment because you refuse to take the vaccine, my God will show up (for you). “They wanted Africa dead. I heard them say it. When we didn’t die as they proposed, they brought out this vaccination scheme. “You need to hear their proclamation that Africa will lack spaces to bury corpses. But, today, the reverse is the case. Africa has the least casualty among all the other continents of the world.” Oyedepo recommended a shot of anointing oil to kill the virus.

Post Date : May 10, 2021

Don’t sell arms to Nigeria, Nnamdi Kanu tells US

Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has urged the United States of America, USA, not to sell arms to the Nigerian government. Kanu in a letter to US President, Joe Biden, begged him to turn down the request by President Muhammadu Buhari, soliciting US military assistance to Nigeria. The IPOB leader, in the letter, claimed that President Buhari had made Nigeria “the most dangerous country in the world.” Kanu argued that Nigeria would turn any arms received from the US against innocent agitators of self-determination, who the country had unilaterally and unjustifiably branded terrorists. The letter read: “We, the Indigenous People of Biafra applaud your election as President of the United States, the most powerful office in the history of the world. We salute your adept and muscular discharge of presidential duties during your tenure in the White House. “Mr President, as you consider Buhari’s request for military assistance to Nigeria, we respectfully urge you to also consider the following: “Mr Buhari’s draconian measures were geared to retaliating against peaceful demonstrations favouring the restoration of Biafran independence that was cruelly extinguished by a genocidal military campaign Buhari partly led between 1967 and 1970. “He has concocted treason charges against IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu to crush Biafran self-determination, despite the fact that self-determination is legal under Nigerian law. “We respectfully suggest that you consider, among other things, denying weapons sales or transfers to Nigeria under the Leahy Amendment; listing Nigeria complicit in persecuting Christians and Jews under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. “We respectfully urge Mr President to invoke particularly Section 620M of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA), as amended, which prohibits the furnishing of assistance authorised by the FAA and the Arms Export Control Act to any foreign security force unit where there is credible information that the unit has committed a gross violation of human rights. “In conclusion, we state categorically that the national interests of the United States lie in protecting Christians and Jews in Nigeria, defeating radical Islam and preventing instability in West Africa which will altogether be enhanced by a US-led diplomatic pressure on the Nigerian government to – as a matter of urgency – agree to an UN-supervised referendum on Biafran Independence. “We wish you and your family many wonderful years in the White House.”