The north-west has been the hotbed of banditry in recent times with over 500 students kidnapped in the region by bandits this year alone. The latest is the abduction of 121 students in Bethel Baptist Secondary school in Damishi, Chikun LGA of Kaduna state, on July 5. Less than a week later, the Emir of Kajuru and 13 members of his household were abducted at his palace. While bandits continue to wreak havoc in the north-west, security operatives have successfully clamped down on leaders of secessionist movements in the southern part of the country. Last month, authorities arrested and extradited Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), back into the country to face charges of treason. In a similar development, DSS operatives declared Sunday Igboho, a prominent voice in the call for ‘Yoruba Nation’, “wanted” after raiding his home and killing two people. Many have criticised the government for not extending an equal level of commitment to tackling banditry. Speaking to Arise TV on Monday, Sani added his voice to the criticism. While making it clear that he’s not in support of the secessionists, he said: “I can say in comparative terms that there’s more interest for the government in going after secessionists than going after bandits. I’m not a supporter of secessionists and I believe that secession agitation are virtually wrong and we should work towards a united Nigeria. “But I believe that if the same effort — the way they are going after Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho — is applied to these bandits, things would have been better for us in Kaduna and the north-western part of the country. Arresting bandits is more important to us than the issues of Igboho and Kanu as far as I’m concerned.” The former senator added that just two out of the 23 LGAs in Kaduna state are safe. He also lamented that all the entry points of the state are besieged by bandits and residents who live in the outskirts are constantly running for their lives. “Abduction has become a daily tragedy in Kaduna state, many even go unreported. Those that are reported are either mass abduction or the abduction of prominent people. We have reached a point, today, in this state where the only local government that are safe are two — Kaduna North and Kaduna South,” he said. “All the other local governments in the state are under siege of bandits. We have never seen this kind of trouble and it appears that the abductions are even increasing by the day. All the four entrances to Kaduna state are all under bandits attack. “Anytime after 7pm, people in the outskirts virtually move to the centre of the city to go back in the morning.”

Fredrick Nwabufo, journalist and columnist, has convened an ideological and voluntary group for journalists committed to peace-building, national cohesion and progress. According to the columnist, the group named, ‘Journalists for United Nigeria (JUN)’, is strictly non-partisan; not a pressure or lobby group, but a think-factory to connect minds in the media who are committed to a united Nigeria. ‘’I believe, the media possesses some of the brightest minds. JUN is more or less a discussion forum for like-minded people. It is non-partisan; it is not a pressure group. It is not a lobby group; it is not a political group. It is a forum where journalists can converge to exchange ideas and opinions on how to strengthen national unity,’’ Nwabufo said. ‘’We need in abundance citizens who can be Nigerians. It is my view that only journalists fit into this. By virtue of being men and women of the pen, they shape opinions and narratives. They make or mar. The sustenance of our national unity rests largely in our hands. We must rise to the occasion and mobilise both the political class and the populace to imbibe our togetherness. We have no other country than Nigeria. Let us, through our profession, lead by example. ‘’I would like to be emphatic here; this group was conceived out of a strong desire for the peace and progress of Nigeria. I believe we are stronger together. ‘’It is purely voluntary for Nigerians. No financial rewards whatsoever; except for the psychological fulfillment that comes from knowing you are contributing to the peace and growth of your country.’’ Nwabufo said he believes the current challenges in the country will be tackled effectively with the support of all Nigerians.

Cement makers in Nigeria are adding more burden to prospective homeowners in the country amid high inflation by increasing cement prices in response to overwhelming demand. BUA Cement, which at N2.421 trillion is Nigeria’s fourth-biggest company by market value, is the latest in the fray having chosen to up the factory price of the product by about N200 per bag, contrary from an earlier vow not to raise prices. The product now sells anywhere between N3000 and N4000, marketers have told PREMIUM TIMES. BUA Cement reported a profit after tax of N72.3 billion last year. The firm assured Nigerians in April that it would not scale up the factory price of its product. “BUA Cement Plc, in the past two days, has been inundated with calls seeking clarification as to whether it is part of a purported price increase of N300 per bag,” its management said in a Twitter statement. “BUA Cement wishes to inform the public, its distributors, and stakeholders that it has not and does not intend to increase its price of cement now or in the near future, barring any material unforeseen circumstances. “Whilst we are aware that demand for cement is high with current supply levels not sufficient to meet this increased demand, we do not believe the solution lies in an increase in ex-factory price of cement, especially not at this period.” In June, the cement maker in a statement to distributors reassured Nigerians of its fidelity to easing the economic meltdown by giving its due in the form of retaining cement price at its pre-July level as the country rebalances from its second recession in four years. “BUA is also of the firm belief that the current retail prices of cement are higher than normal, hence our earlier communication not to increase ex-factory prices in the foreseeable future,” the document said. “As a responsible corporate entity, we refuse and reject associations with any actions that are deemed capable of projecting any industry we operate as a cartel… “The timing is not right for any increase on BUA’s part, and we do not have any justifiable business reason to increase our prices (ex-factory) anytime soon. We, therefore, urge our distributors not to panic as well as not engage in any arbitrary hike in the retail price of BUA Cement.” But a market survey by PREMIUM TIMES shows BUA cement prices have risen in the retail market, and marketers blame the increase on their depot price. A dealer of the product at Lugbe Airport Road, Abuja, who identified himself as Mr Great said, “the fact is that they are not telling the public the truth. They increase the price literally from time to time.” “Previously we have been getting at the rate of N3,000 and later N3,300 from the depot. That is the situation now. “We sold at the rate of N3,200, later N3,300 and presently it is N3,400. So, anyone that is telling you that the price of cement is stable, that person is not telling the truth.” Two other dealers in Abuja confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES the current price at N3,400, while another put the price at N3,500. When contacted for clarification, Ortega Ogra, a representative of BUA Cement, ended the call and did not respond to a text message seeking comment. The chairman of BUA Cement Company, Abdul-Samad Rabiu, said in Abuja on Thursday that cement prices will crash if Nigeria has more producers to meet local demand, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. “The high price of cement is of great concern for me; the price is actually high. We are 210 million or 220 million people, 30 million tonnes of cement per annum is actually low for us,” Mr Rabiu said at the annual general meeting of his company. “No one can really control the price because it depends on demand and supply. We are trying hard to ensure the price is not as high as it is now. Nigeria is growing with a huge economy; we need more plants on stream to cater to the rising demand of cement in the country. Egypt produces 85 tonnes of cement per annum and the demand of cement in that country is just 50 million tonnes per annum. And that is why prices of cement in Egypt are the lowest on the African continent,’’ Mr Rabiu said. Source: Premium Times

A man has allegedly slumped and died after he found out that he is not his son’s biological father through a DNA test. According to supposed friends of the deceased who gave their opinions online, the abroad-based man caught his with cheating another man on Snapchat, so he returned to Nigeria and conducted a paternity test on his son, only to get an unfavourable result. As usual, the report has led to a debate about paternity tests online. Opinions are divided as social media users take sides.