Many people have been feared killed in an accident at Fidiwo, Ogun State end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The PUNCH gathered that the incident happened around 9 am when a fully loaded commercial bus heading for Lagos rammed into a diesel tanker. The tanker had been reportedly stopped by men of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Oyo State Command, when the accident happened. Details later.

Supporters of Nnamdi Kanu in large numbers clashed with members of security operatives at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday. This is as our correspondent observed that the supporters kept on chanting, “Holy Holy Holy, Nnamdi Kanu is another savior”. The PUNCH reports that the leader of the proscribed group, Indigenous People of Biafra, is currently being arraigned in the Federal High Court over some amended charges leveled against him by the Federal Government. This is as the lead counsel for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Tuesday, unveiled Chief Mike Ozekhome as the leader of the defence counsel for Nnamdi Kanu, whose trial commences today before Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court in Abuja. Some journalists who arrived at the Federal High Court to cover the proceedings were also barred from accessing the court premises. More to follow…. PUNCH

Angry passengers of Azman Air stormed the office of the airline in Kano, on Monday, over the cancellation of the 7am flight to Lagos. It was gathered that the airline informed the passengers of the cancellation, via e-mail, a few minutes to the scheduled departure. Some of the passengers, who said they had international flights to catch in Lagos, were furious that Azman sent them a cancellation notice few minutes to scheduled departure. Some of them said they were traveling to Lagos for connecting flights to London, Egypt, Dubai, Ghana and other destinations for medical reasons. The passengers later mobilised themselves at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) and stormed the airline’s office at Zaria road in protest. The protest was still ongoing as of 9:20am when our reporter filed this story and the airline is yet to give reason for the cancellation of the flight aside the “operational reasons” stated in its generic message to the passengers. But Lawal Suleiman, General Manager, AZMAN Air in Kano, assured passengers of refund or the option of arranging another flight by Wednesday evening. Daily Trust reports that the airline had similar issues last year which led to a scuffle between passengers and officials of the airline at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) after several cancellation of flights. The airline’s license was suspended by the government afterwards but was later reinstated.

Operatives of the Department of State Services and members of the Nigeria Police Force have once again engaged in a show of force by harassing and pursuing journalists who assembled at the Federal High Court to cover the court proceedings of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. The PUNCH reports that members of the security operatives have always harassed and pursued journalists, preventing them from covering the proceedings of Nnamdi Kanu in the past. Senior Advocates of Nigeria like Mike Ozekhome, the Nigerian Bar Association, and Socio-cultural groups such as the Ohaneze and Afenifere had also berated the operatives for preventing journalists from exercising their civic rights.

The Gwom Rwei of Vwang, Da Gyang Gutt Balak who was kidnapped last Sunday around NIPPS kuru, Plateau State has regained freedom. The Nation reports that the monarch was abducted by some suspected bandits on his way back home in Vom last Sunday. Chairman of Berom Youth Movement, (BYM), Vwang District, Barr. Emmanuel Mandung, confirmed the incident. He said: “To God be the glory,we appreciate you Lord for the safe return of our Paramount Ruler.His Royal Highness (HRH) the Gwom Rwei of Vwang.Da.Gyang Gutt Balak who was kidnapped yesterday around NIPPS kuru. “We are indeed grateful to Almighty God for his infinite Mercy for protecting the life of His Royal Highness. “We from Vwang District appreciate you all for your prayers and the the show of love you demonstrated during this trial moment.come and joint us celebrating the wonderful work of God upon us. “He is back strong, healthy and congratulations to all of you….” It was gathered the community had trooped out in search of their paramount ruler by combing the bushes and mountains, which eventually paid off, leading to his successful rescue. Military information officer of operation Save Haven, Major Ishaku Takwa confirmed rescue of the monarch. In a statement, he explained: “Recall that the Paramount ruler of Vwang His Royal Highness, Da Gyang Gutt Balak was abducted on Sunday 16 January 2022. Immediately the incidence was reported, the commander Operation SAFE HAVEN Major General Ibrahim Ali placed the troops of Sector 6 deployed at Riyom on red alert and to embark on hot trail of the perpetrators. “Consequently, the troops in conjunction with other security agencies, Vigilante group and Hunters conducted clearance operations in the mountainous region of Sabon Gida Kanal, Gero and Dahol general area. “Two suspects were arrested at an abandoned building during the operation. “This development led to the release of the paramount ruler by his abductors. “He has been united with his family. “While commending the troops for their swift response, the commander operation SAFE HAVEN, Maj Gen Ibrahim Ali, appreciate the efforts of the Vigilante, the Hunters group and all who provided useful information to security agencies during the operation. “He further urged the law abiding citizens to be security conscious and always observe and report any suspicious movement of persons in their area.”

THE United States and the British Government have turned down a request by the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to send representatives to observe the his trial holding at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division on January 18, 19, and 20. While the US said it was limiting its employees from attending public gatherings, the UK explained that it does not normally attend a court case involving a British national. The US Embassy and the British High Commission said these in separate responses to inquiries from The PUNCH on Friday. Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, had last Wednesday, written to the US and UK missions in Nigeria, stating that the presence of their representatives would ensure a fair hearing for his client. The IPOB leader is facing a seven-count amended charge preferred against him by the Federal Government. The letter titled, ‘Request for delegate(s)/representative(s) to observe court proceedings …In Re: Charge NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015, Federal Republic of Nigeria V. Nnamdi Kanu’, read in part, “May we, gratefully, please, request you to send representative(s) to observe the proceedings of the court on those adjourned dates and on any other date to which further proceedings in the case may be adjourned until the matter is disposed of. “The need to ensure that our client is given a fair trial has compelled us to make this request. The instant request is compelling in the circumstance, to ensure that the whole process of our client’s trial is fair and just in all circumstances. It must be remembered that his purported indictment on criminal charges has a political undercurrent.” Ejiofor argued that the FG has a profound interest in the criminal charge pending against his client and the outcome of his trial. But the US Mission, which disclosed that it is following the trial closely, declared that its officials would not attend the court. It stated, “The US Mission Nigeria is following the trial of Nnamdi Kanu closely. The US Department of State is limiting employees from attending public gatherings.” In its response, the British High Commission acknowledged Kanu’s status as a Briton, but stated, “The FCDO (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) would not normally attend a court case involving a British national, but where we do consider it appropriate to attend, our consular staff would do so in an observational capacity only.” When asked to clarify if the commission would send observers to the trial which begins on Tuesday (today), the British High Commission’s spokesman, Dean Hurlock, said, “We can only offer you this as our response.”