The Zamfara State Police Command has repelled terrorist attacks on two communities in the Zurmi and Shinkafi Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state. The Police Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mohammed Shehu made this known while parading suspected bandit collaborators on Saturday in Gusau, Zamfara state capital. According to a statement, the police arrested three suspected bandits informants who allegedly collaborate with bandits to impose levies on some communities and divulge information on operational activities of security agencies to the terrorists. The command also arrested six suspected bandit collaborators who allegedly specialise in supplying hard drugs including Indian hemp to terrorists operating in the state. The suspected informants include Abubakar Idaho (75) Kwarya Tsugunne village in Maru LGA, and Almustapha Dahiru (69) of Yanbuki village in Zurmi LGA both male. They were reportedly arrested by the police tactical operatives in connection with partnering with bandits to impose levies on Kwarya Tsugunne and Yanbuki villages in Maru and Zurmi Local governments areas respectively. The third suspect, Mohammed Jibrin of Kekun Waje village in Bungudu LGA was said to have been arrested as being informant to bandits by divulging information about the operational activities of security agencies and vigilante at Kekun Waje village in Bungudu LGA. Shehu said police tactical operatives while on confidence building patrol along Zurmi and Shinkafi LGAs received a distress call about terrorists plan to attack some villages of the two LGAs. He said police operatives mobilised to the locations and engaged the terrorists to gun battle that lasted for hours. “Luckily enough, the bandits were repelled by the superior fire power of the police operatives, forcing them to retreat back to the forest with possible gun shot wounds. Two AK47 rifles and 104 rounds of live ammunition belonging to the bandits were recovered at the scene,” he stated. “The suspects during interrogation confessed to the Police that, on several occasions, they imposed levies on villagers that run into millions and delivered same to bandits while getting their percentage. “They further confessed that, recently they imposed and collected levy of one million, two hundred thousand naira from Kwarya Tsugunne village.” The six suspects accused of supplying hard drugs were arrested while transporting a large quantity of “dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp” from Lagos State to Shinkafi. “On 7th December, 2022 at about 1200 hours, Police Tactical operatives acted on intelligence information that led to the arrest of the suspects. The suspects were arrested while transporting a large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp all the way from Lagos to Shinkafi in Zamfara State. “In the course of investigation, the suspects confessed to several supply of hard drugs (sic) and other substances to the bandits operating at Shinkafi and Zurmi axis. Discreet investigation is ongoing,” the command said. In a related development, Shehu stated that police tactical operatives, while conducting stop-and-search operations, acted on credible information that led to the arrest of other suspects who were also transporting a large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp to Kaura Namoda LGA of Zamfara State. “The four suspects were arrested in an 18-seater Toyota vehicle conveying a large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp from Lagos and to be delivered to Kaura Namoda in Zamfara state. “In the course of interrogation, the suspects confessed that the consignment was meant for bandits operating in a forest under Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara state,” the PPRO said. Police said discreet investigation is in progress and all the suspects will be charged to court for prosecution on completion of investigation.

  President Muhammadu Buhari has charged authorities of Nigerian Universities to emulate the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state in ensuring the terminating appointment of lecturers guilty of sexually harassing female students. President Buhari, who is the Visitor to the University, while speaking at the 46th convocation ceremony of the school at it campus in Ile-Ife, said the lives of female students cannot be entrusted in the hands of randy lecturers across campuses in Nigeria. Represented by the Director of Education Planning at the National Universities Commission, Dr Noel Saliu, the President also disclosed that government will not sign any agreement it cannot fulfill with school unions. “I will be failing in my duty as Visitor if I do not commend the Council and Management of this great citadel of learning for dealing, very decisively, with cases of sexual harassment. In fact, this University deserves commendation on the way and manner it is tackling sexual and other related harassment headlong, without minding whose ox is gored. “I want other institutions of higher learning to emulate O.A.U in summarily terminating the appointment or dismissing any lecturer who uses or is using his advantageous position to sexually harass our young, unassuming, innocent and impressionable girls. We cannot continue to entrust the lives of our promising young girls into the hands of some sexually reckless individuals who are masquerading as lecturers on our campuses”, he said. The President added that government alone cannot adequately fund education, hence, it is imperative to introduce sustainable model of funding education in the country. His words; “I want all of us to know and note that Government alone cannot provide the resources required for funding tertiary education. In fact, in most countries, the cost of education is jointly shared between the government and the people, especially at the tertiary level.It is imperative, therefore, that we introduce a highly sustainable model of funding tertiary education. “This government remains committed to the implementation of the agreement reached with staff unions within the available resources, and we are resolute that we will not sign any agreement that we cannot truthfully implement”. In his address the University Chancellor, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, urged parents to continue to invest in the future of their children by ensuring that they enjoy quality education. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeone Bamire disclosed that as part of the university advancement, the school was selected among beneficiary of the special ICT broadband infrastructure projects of the federal government, which will further position it as a leading ICT-driven institution. Among the many dignitaries that attended the convocation are the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Abolarin Aroyinkeye, Ambassador Ayo Olukanni, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to Australia and New Zealand.

  The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor has cried out on the attack on his hometown of Urualla, Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State by unknown armed men on Friday. Ejimakor made this known to Vanguard on Saturday morning with a video of a market set ablaze adding that the armed hoodlums attacked his kinsmen and vandalised their properties. In the message, Ejimakor said he and the people condemned the barbaric attack and were upset over the incident. IPOB leader’s lawyer further said the incident would forever live in disrepute. He said, “Today (Friday), 9th December 2022, several armed men invaded my hometown, attacked my relatives, vandalized their properties and set fire to our main market, five minutes away from my house. “It’s a day that will forever live in infamy. I’m very upset; my people are very upset.” While asked about those behind the attack, Ejimakor said he did not know any information about the assailants responsible.

  Malam Nata’ala Mohammed, Personal Assistant on New Media to the National Chairman of APC, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, has debunked insinuations making the round that the viral video of a man stripped naked at Lafia Emir’s palace was suspected to be Adamu. In a telephone interview on Saturday in Keffi, Mohammed said those making such allegations were not honest to themselves and were mischievous in character, adding, ”they are only seeking relevance.” ” A viral video of a man that was stripped naked on Thursday, Dec. 8 at the Emir of Lafia’s palace, which was also insinuated and suspected to be the APC National Chairman is false. ” It was the mere imagination of mischievous people who are unfamiliar with the physical looks of Sen. Abdullahi Adamu. ” This unfortunate misplacement of the true physical look of the person of Adamu, is not in anyway to be linked to him,” Mohammed said. Also, a pro-democracy group, A .A Sule Progressives Forum, has vehemently condemned the dastardly act that occurred to their Grand Patron, Alhaji Abubakar Giza, who holds the traditional title of Ciroman Giza. The State Coordinator of the forum, Mr Jonathan Samuel described the incidence as barbaric and unbecoming. He stated that Giza was an elder statesman and an APC stalwart who has been a very strong pillar of support to the government of Nasarawa State. According to Samuel, Giza is a peace loving man, urging, ”the evil act done to him by some unscrupulous elements should not be played down. ”The perpetrators of such dastardly act should be identified and brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.” He emphasized the need for all and sundry to be security conscious at all times, saying, ”these bad eggs are lurking everywhere.” Samuel also urged the security agencies to intensify efforts in apprehending the culprits.

  Former presidential media aide, Reno Omokri has said that the standard flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is better than his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi. Omokri, a staunch critic of both Tinubu and Obi, however, said he is only against the former Lagos state governor over drug allegations against him. He said Tinubu fared better in political leadership than his contenders contesting the highest political seat through general elections in 2023. Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who Omokri supports has been a politician since the 1990s. Omokri went further to say that the APC National Leader has a better performance record than Obi. All these were made known in a tweet by Omokri on Friday adding that Tinubu has the capacity to listen to his subordinates. Omokri tweeted: “Tinubu is not a bad leader. He is actually a better leader than most Nigerian politicians. He has the capacity to listen to subordinates. He also has a much better performance record than Obi. Omokri, however, stated unprintable words as to why he is Tinubu aspiration to become president of Nigeria.

  Former Minister of Education, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili, says there is no way she will leave the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and vote for the other top two candidates in the 2023 presidential race. She said the top three candidates can easily be rated with publicly available information and having done her ratings, the Labour Party candidate is ahead of other contestants. “To the specific issue of a presidential candidacy, what I said and which I repeat everywhere that I am asked is that I look at the other two candidates and I rate them immediately on the basis of what we know, and for the three candidates there is publicly available information with which to do the rating. “So after I have done my rating, there is absolutely no way I would leave a Peter Obi and vote for any of the other two candidates,” Ezekwesili said on Channels Television Hard Copy programme. The former World Bank Vice President for Africa Region noted that an analytical perspective of what is likely to happen in 2023 suggests that a strong appetite for change is coming from the youthful segment of the population which makes up to 60 per cent of the voting population and many of whom are leaning towards Obi’s presidency. She also said that women which make up about 51 per cent of the voting population are more inclined towards the presidency of Peter Obi, adding that the former Anambra governor’s prospect cannot be dismissed taking into the perspective various zones of the country and the appetite they have for an inclusive approach to governance. Ezekwesili pointed out the improved activeness of the electorate as one of the things that will excite people who have gotten into politics to effect change, adding that today’s electorate is not disengaged as they were in 2019 and before. She noted that young people especially women are much more conscious as they are now tired of the failure of the government because the groundswell of interest today wasn’t there as of 2019. Since leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) earlier in the year to the Labour Party, Obi has emerged as a top challenger to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the candidate of the former ruling party PDP, Atiku Abubakar, in the race to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2923.

  Four persons including a native doctor have been caught harvesting human parts from tombs inside the Catholic cemetery at Ajaba Mmaku, in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State. They were reportedly caught by a man in charge of the bakery section within the Church premises. The suspect immediately responded by promising to settle the Baker, who agreed for fear of his life. The baker, however, went back to call on the Rev father. The suspects, on sighting the priest and some people, took to their heels. The neighbourhood Watch of Mmaku have reportedly been involved in the manhunt of the culprits, some of whom have ran out of the community. Unconfirmed reports claim that the business of getting human parts for ritual purposes have been on for some time. Those arrested include; Aloysius Okeke (aka Aloy Ojoma), Israel Okoli, and Amaechi Udeji, all from Enugu Afam Village in Agunese Mmaku Autonomous Community.

  THE Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Friday told the Senate that the planned policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN) to limit cash withdrawal for individuals at N100,000 and Corporate Bodies N500, 000 per week was introduced in 2012 during former President Goodluck Jonathan ‘s administration, extended to Abuja and six other States in 2013. Speaking yesterday when she appeared before the Senator Uba Sani, APC, Kaduna Central led Senate Committee on Banking , Insurance and other Financial Institutions, the Deputy Governor of CBN on Financial System Stability, Mrs Aishat Ahmad said that cashless policy being fully implemented by CBN now is not new , as required steps in that direction, was taken in 2012 with Lagos State as pilot scheme and Abuja and Six other states in 2013. She however said that the Apex bank was flexible and will be ready to accommodate opinions that will not make the policy strainous to any category of Nigerians during implementation Her disclosure is coming on the heels of controversies surrounding the planned policy by the apex bank. The CBN Deputy Governor spoke yesterday during the screening exercise carried out on her and her counterparts on Corporate Services , Edward Lametek Adamu for re – appointments by the Senate Committee on Banking , Insurance and other Financial Institutions. Ahmed who noted that though full implementation of the policy has not been carried out by CBN since then, said that its introduction thenhas brought a lot of transformation in the banking and payment system, adding, ” Distinguished Chairman of this committee and members , I ‘m happy for the opportunity given to make presentations on planned N100,000 withdraw limit for individuals and N500, 000 for Corporate Bodies per week , beginning from 9th January , 2023 , in line with cashless policy introduced in 2012. “Based on information available to CBN, the time for full implementation of the policy with proposed limit on cash withdrawals per week is now. “Required infrastruture for its implementation in terms of financial access point system , mobile money , e – naira etc , are available across the 774 local government councils in the country. “All fears and worries being expressed by Nigerians on the planned limited cash withdrawal policy are seriously being taken care of as nobody or section of Nigerians , will be left out. “In the past , banking transactions in Nigeria was limited to Bank Branches alone as the only means , which has now expanded into multiple electronic platforms as well as geometrical increase in the number of agents from 88,000 to 1.4million.” Soon after the presentation, Chairman of the Committee, Senator Uba Sani gave the two nominees take a bow and go treatment as moved by the Whip of the Senate , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, APC, Abia North and seconded by Senator Danjuma Goje, APC, Gombe Central In his remarks, Senator Uba Sani said, ” With presentation made by the Deputy Governor of CBN on Financial System Stability , Aisha Ndanusa Ahmad on the planned limited cash withdrawal , required information on the merits of the policy has been given and will be communicated to the Senate in plenary through our report. “The two Deputy Governors , having earlier been screened before serving their first tenures , need not to again as unanimously agreed by members of the Committee. They should therefore take a bow and go.”