THE General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has warned men of God not to fight women, but run when members of the opposite sex threatened to deal with them. Adeboye, who will turn 80 in March, at a special online service on Sunday, cited the classical Bibìcal case of Elijah and Jezebel to buttress his point. “Elijah arrived at Jezreel, sat down in his house and was enjoying the victories that had happened. He had just called down fire from heaven. “He had prophesied and prayed and there was rain for the first time in three years. He had brought about national revival. He had outrun the chariot of the King. “He was happy but then a message came from the First Lady of the land ‘I heard what you did on Mount Carmel, I swear to you by my gods by this time tomorrow, you will be like one of the prophets that you killed’. Elijah the great man of God ran, the man who dared 450 prophets ran from a woman. “I know a lot of people have said how could that be? Elijah was very wise. I have told you men of God again and again, don’t fight a woman. “If a woman says she is going to deal with you, run. If you learn to run today, you will be alive to fight tomorrow. The African elders have a saying ‘the one who knows when to fight and when to run is the one they call the champion. You must know when to fight and when to run.’ “When Jezebel says ‘I am coming for you, Elijah did the right thing, he ran,” Adeboye said in a transcribed message.

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested five members of the same family for allegedly operating an illegal refinery in the oil-rich state. According to the police, the suspects are among the 18 persons said to be part of those aiding and abetting the operation of illegal crude oil refineries in Rivers. They were nabbed in a remote community of Mgbu-Atafia in Emohua Local Government Area “for providing their land to persons for use in illegal oil refining and bunkering activities.” The other suspects were apprehended in parts of the state for operating an artisanal refining site and taking part in the haulage of finished products within the state. Officers of the Rivers State Police Command also impounded two tankers and two large trucks used for the illegal storage and transportation of suspected illegally refined petroleum products. While parading the 18 suspects at the Police Headquarters in Port Harcourt on Monday, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Eboka Friday, warned residents against getting involved in such economic sabotage or risk arrest and prosecution. There is now an aggressive attempt by the Rivers State Government and the police authorities to tackle the menace of illegal refining of crude oil which is identified as a major contributor to the emission of soot in the state, apart from the economic loss to the nation. In a New Year broadcast, Governor Nyesom Wike directed chairmen of local council authorities to identify and destroy illegal refining sites in their domain. In his second broadcast a week later, the governor placed 19 persons on the wanted list for operating artisanal refining sites in parts of Obio/Akpor and Ikwerre Local Government Areas. He had threatened to reveal more names from other parts of Rivers State if such illegal activities persist. None of those declared wanted has been arrested.

Former Head of the Interim National Government (INC), Chief Ernest Shonekan, is dead. He died in Lagos at 85, sources told The Nation. Shonekan was chairman of the INC, which succeeded the military junta of General Ibrahim Babangida. He ruled from August 26 to November 17, 1993 until he was overthrown in a palace coup led by late General Sani Abacha who was Secretary of Defence. Details Shortly…

•Abia residents ignore sit-at-home •Fears in Orlu, Okigwe Contrary to the reports that there were sporadic gunshots in major cities of Enugu, a blog site JOURNALIST101 reports that except the ugly incident at Topland, Amechi Road, there was no shooting anywhere else in the state capital. The reports pandemonium at Nowas, Okpara Avenue, Abakpa Market, GRA, Holyghost, Uwani, Trans Ekulu, etc., as a result of sporadic gunshots was misleading to the public misleading. According to Journalist101, the confusion was as a result false information and panic. No single person out of the many persons that spoke to our correspondents could confirm any gunshot in those areas but people were afraid. Road traders along Mayor markets and Kenyetta were seen by our correspondent carrying out their commercial activities while security operatives deployed to the area were seen on the major roads. Enugu Police say situation under control When contacted, the Enugu State Police Command spokesman, Daniel Ndukwe said they’re yet to confirm any shooting in the state capital except the Topland Amechi-Awkunanaw incident. Ndukwe, an Assistant Superintendent of Police in a terse statement said the disturbances were at Umueze and Agbani axis of Nkanu West LGA of the State and the situation has been brought under control. “Following the alleged cases of sporadic shootings at Topland Amechi-Awkunanaw, snatching and burning a of Toyota Sienna vehicle and a tricycle at Umueze and Agbani axis of Nkanu West LGA of the State, by miscreants alleged to be enforcing illegal sit-at-home order, which caused panic within Enugu metropolis in the morning hours of today, 10/01/2022; citizens of Enugu metropolis and the State in general, are hereby assured that the Police, in collaboration with other Security Agencies, has brought the situation under control. “Consequently, law-abiding citizens of the State have been enjoined to go about their lawful businesses without fear of intimidation or harassment, as Police and other Security Operatives, have been duly deployed to further thwart the untoward activities of the miscreants in the State. “Further development will be communicated, please.” Fears in Orlu, Okigwe Sit-at-home order of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, is still effective in Orlu and Okigwe local government areas. Vanguard on Monday learnt from these locations that most shops, markets and other business premises were shut down. Vanguard was told that the residents said they decided to sit home for fear of being killed by stray bullets or those enforcers of the sit-at-home order. One of the residents in Orlu who spoke to Vanguard preferred to be called Chinedu Iwu, said: “I now see Monday as a public holiday. We don’t go out we stay at home from morning to night. This started since the killings in Orlu became very serious. “You come out before you know it somebody will come best you up or destroy your properties. If you eventually come out just prepare to run in case you hear a gunshot.” “In Orlu now, it is a terrible place to leave. One day one trouble. You killing hear the other time you hear shooting of guns. It is not as if I cannot come out anything can happen. I will run but what of my wife and kids. Orlu is hot,” A resident, Mr Chibyke explained. A bus driver said his name Nmaduabuchi, who spoke to Vanguard on the situation in Okigwe axis said: “I don’t know how Okigwe is becoming hot now. Monday’s you see people running home and stay that they don’t want the unknown gunmen to kill them. “For us, the bus driver, driving from Owerri to Okigwe is possible but consider it that you are taking a very big risk. It can result in your death or your vehicle being burnt to ashes. Accept if you have enough security to protect yourself.” Owerri booms Economic activities in Owerri, Imo State capital operated on a full scale on Monday. Vanguard correspondent who went round the city, observed banks, eateries, filling stations and other business outfits open for operation. Control Post, Amakohia, Orji, Ikenegbu Layout, Wetheral, Douglas, MCC roads had their usual bustling and hustling. Commercial vehicles also operated in full scale. The situation was an improvement from what it was last Monday, as the city hadn’t its life, owing to the public holiday declared last week by the federal government and the Christmas holiday. Residents of the city had since resumed economic activities on Monday after observing sit-at-home for six consecutive weeks. Vehicles on fire in Anambra There was pandemonium on Monday in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area and Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State following heavy shootings by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Residents of the area scampered for safety as the gunmen, purportedly enforcing the Monday sit-at-home, shot sporadically within the boundary of both communities. The Nation gathered the gunmen set ablaze a Toyota Sienna vehicle belonging to an unidentified indigene of Isuofia, a neighbouring community to Ekwulobia. A resident of the area, who preferred anonymity, said: “The man was driving past the area when the men started shooting. He suddenly jumped out and fled, abandoning the car in the middle of the road. “Unfortunately, before he could return, his car was already in flames.” Confirming the incident, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga said the Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng, had deployed men to the area. He said: “The Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng has since ordered reinforcement teams from the command headquarters to intensify patrols around major areas like Onitsha, Nnewi, Ihiala, Aguata, Awka and other environs in the State. “The reinforcement teams comprise Police Mobile Operatives, Counter-Terrorist Units, Special Forces and other tactical teams. They are to address any security concern that may arise and to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the State.” Those trying to avert sit –at –home got trapped at Onitsha head Bridge Many people who tried to beat the Monday sit-at- home and decided to pass the Anambra end of the Niger Bridge on Sunday became

Members of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) have held a protest at the National Assembly complex over unpaid allowances. The workers occupied the NASS complex on Monday morning chanting songs of solidarity and displaying various placards. Among other demands, the workers want the full implementation of the national minimum wage signed into law in 2019 as well as the revised condition of service. The workers accused the National Assembly management of breach of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) entered with the union on the 13th of April, 2021 on the full implementation of the new national minimum wage Act 2019 and the revised condition of service. Addressing the workers, the Chairman of PASAN, Sabiyi Sunday said executives of the association would be attending an emergency meeting called by the National Assembly Service Commission to address issues raised by the workers.

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, has disclosed that the commission will conduct the maiden digital population census in May 2022. Speaking when he paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El Rufai, on Monday, he said the commission is ready to conduct the digital population census in the country. According to him, “We are ready to give the country a first-ever digital census by May 2022. “We have the map data in our system, androids which unlike the analogue era will make it very easy for a reliable and credible census.” He also stressed the commission’s capacity to tackle insecurity in all the states of the federation during the census. He observed that the aim of his visit was to create awareness of the forthcoming census and solicit the support of the government and the people of Kaduna State for the success of its activities. “The commission has intensified efforts towards the forthcoming Population and Housing Census as we have already conducted Enumeration Area Demarcation exercise in 772 Local Government Area’s (LGA’s) across the 36 States and the FCT. “The demarcation of the last two LGA’s will be completed in the next one month. “In Kaduna state, only Birin Gwari LGA is remaining because of insecurity,” the NPC chairman said. Responding, Governor Nasir El -Rufai said Kaduna needed an update of the census in the state to ensure that plans are done in line with the number of citizens. “As the third most populated state in the country, Kaduna will work with the commission to ensure a successful census. “Let me use this opportunity to express our condolence on behalf of the people of Kaduna state over the death of one of your staff who was killed by bandits. “I want to assure you of the support and cooperation of the government and the citizens of the state to help ensure a smooth conduct of the next census exercise as our doors are open to any support required,” the governor said.