The Edo State Police Command announced on Saturday that an unspecified number of travellers waiting to board a train from Igueben in Igueben Local Government Area of the state to Warri in Delta State, were kidnapped by suspected herdsmen. The command, in a press statement endorsed by its spokesman, Chidi Nwabuzor, stated that the incident happened at about 4.00pm. According to the statement, the suspected herdsmen, who were armed with AK-47 rifles, invaded the train station and shot sporadically into the air before herding an unspecified number of intending travellers into the bush. The statement added that in the process, some of the passengers sustained bullet wounds, just as the police disclosed that bush combing and rescue operations had begun to rescue those that were kidnapped. The statement added that in the process, some of the passengers sustained bullet wounds, just as the police disclosed that bush combing and rescue operations had begun to rescue those that were kidnapped. “The kidnappers who shot sporadically into the air before kidnapping some passengers left some persons with bullet wounds. The Area Commander, Irrua; the DPO (Divisional Police Officer) Igueben Division, and their men have visited the scene of crime with members of Edo State Security Network, local vigilante, and hunters with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers. “Bush combing operations have commenced in order to rescue the victims and arrest the fleeing kidnappers. Further development will be communicated,” the statement explained.

  Sunday 8 January 2022 ‘You can’t trust Mr Sell Everything or Mr Stingy’, Tinubu hits Atiku, Obi Let’s destroy APC, PDP’s killer structure – Obi tells Nigerians Five migrants drown in shipwreck off Tunisia Honour late Obiozor, Amechi, others by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB begs FG Peter Obi heartless for saving money instead of people – Tinubu Six journalists detained over viral video of South Sudan President peeing on camera I’ve no plans to dump APC, says Jack-Rich Parties renting crowds to attend rallies – Pastor Adeboye Fears as military plans ex-terrorists’ release to governors Cash ban can’t be forced on foreign missions – Ex-diplomats North-East, Others Get New Commanders As Army Redeploys Senior Officers Attack On My Convoy Clear Assassination Attempt – Ohakim Iran Executes Two More Men In Connection With Protests Plateau Speaker Escapes As Police Repel Suspected Kidnappers Kogi Govt Queries Monarch Over Failure To Welcome Buhari After Bitter Republican Dispute, McCarthy Named US House Speaker Presidential Election: Get Your PVCs Ready, Adeboye Urges Nigerians Kebbi PDP Reps Candidate Dies After US Trip Hoodlums Disrupt PVC Distribution In Edo Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders’ Foundation (HURIDE) has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately arrest the leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Asari Dokubo and his boys. In a statement released in Enugu State yesterday, the human right group frowned at the manner Asari Dokubo and his boys were openly brandishing sophisticated arms and ammunition monitored on different social media platforms. The group accused Federal Government of “hypocrisy, partiality and lackadaisical disposition ” for allowing Dokubo and his boys to carry arms openly without being challenged by security operatives in the country. The group in the statement signed by the campaign and publicity secretary of HURIDE, Unah Zachues Unah, said Dokubo and his boys were seen wielding AK-47s, General Purpose Machine Guns(GPMGsonopenly on social media, threatening anyone who dared to challenge them. The rights group condemned the sheer bravado and utter disrespect to the constituted authority with the way Dokubo’s men displayed arms, boasting that nobody can touch them. True to their boasting, said HURIDE, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police nor the Directorate of State Security (DSS) has challenged Dokubo and his men. Unfortunately, said the group, the Buhari-Buhari led Federal Government put all resources available to it to rendition Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from Kenya. Since then, Kanu has been languishing in the DSS facility in Abuja and they have refused to release him despite different Court judgements ordering that he should be set free. HURIDE asked what offence did Kanu commit that he should be kept in detention all these years? while those who openly brandish AK-47s and GPMGs in the streets of Bayelsa are left free. They noted that Asari Dokubo was left because of their anti-Igbo disposition, saying that operatives of NDVF are part of the Ebubeagu security network launched by South East Governors to checkmate the activities of ESN and IPOB.

The Kogi State Government has issued a query to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Dr. Ado Ibrahim, over his failure to welcome President Muhammadu Buhari during the President’s December 29, 2022 visit to the state. The state government said the traditional ruler was disloyal and disrespectful to the offices of President Buhari and Governor Bello, adding that Ibrahim exhibited deliberate attitude and actions capable of bringing Kogi State and Ebira land to “disrepute”. The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, who is the Vice President of the Kogi State Council of Chiefs, is the Paramount ruler of all Egbira people in Kogi Central Senatorial district where the governor’s also hailed from. President Buhari was in the state to inaugurate some projects including the new palace of the Ohinoyi, which was built by Governor Bello. The letter of query dated January 5, 2023, and addressed to the monarch, said the action of Ohinoyi portends “grave danger to the security of the state and laying bad precedence for Traditional Institution of the State.” The letter signed by the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Enimola Eniola, on behalf of the Kogi State Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, read: “It has been observed with serious concern that you have exhibited deliberate attitude and actions capable of bringing Kogi State and Ebira land in particular to grave disrepute. These actions are quite unbecoming of a revered Royal Father of your status. “Specifically, you were aware through many fora of the glorious visit of Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief of Nigerian Armed Forces, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari to Okene on 29th December, 2022 to commission landmark projects executed by our dear Governor, His Excellency, Alh. Yahaya Bello. “In a flagrant disregard to the persons and high offices of the President and the Governor, you bluntly refused to come out and receive the President at the designated venue rightly approved by the Executive Governor of the State. “It might interest you to note that official courtesy demands that when a personality of a President occupying the highest office in the land is visiting or even passing through the State, the Governor and top Public Officers including topmost Traditional Rulers are expected to receive him as a mark of respect for him and the Office he occupies. “It is on record that in time past, Topmost Traditional Rulers including the President, Kogi State Council of Chiefs do receive the Governor of the State on his return from critical missions undertaken on behalf of the State. But, you have chosen to disdain the office of the Executive Governor, and this time, you did it with effrontery before the number one citizen of Nigeria. “This action of yours is an act of insubordination and disloyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, and the entire Ebira nation as a whole. It portends grave danger to the security of the State and laying bad precedence for Traditional Institution of the State. “In view of the above, I have been directed to request you to forward a written explanation within 48 hours why disciplinary action should not be taken against you for these acts of insubordination and disloyalty. Oral explanations may be required from you when a panel is set up to study your case. “It is expected that you will accord priority to the content of this letter, Your Royal Majesty,” the state government noted.

  The Chancellor, who is also the Chairman, Board of Regents of Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Bishop Dr David Oyedepo, has counselled rich parents to stop spoon feeding their children and allow them develop the sense of responsibility which would guarantee a bright future for them. He gave the admonition at the weekend during the 17th convocation ceremony of the institution tagged “17th Release of Eagles 2022.” According to him, whoever fails to develop a sense of responsibility would end up being a liability. Addressing the graduands and their parents, Oyedepo said, *Responsibility is one of our core values here at Covenant University. If you don’t take responsibility now, you become a liability in the future. Everyone is responsible for the outcome of his life. You don’t arrive at a future you did not prepare for. “You also don’t go forward by sitting down but by taking steps. Nothing keeps a man on his toes than a sense of responsibility. Responsibility is also not a gift. It is a choice. Make a choice today and you will smile tomorrow.” Oyedepo also faulted the action of some parents who would want to help their children do everything without those children learning and doing things on their own. He noted that no matter how hard some people try, some accomplishments can never be transfered to their wards or children. “That you are an Emeritus Professor now cannot be transfered to your child of you die. A study done some years ago in the United States showed that 80 percent of the children of the rich don’t succeed because they never imbibed the sense of responsibility and doing things on their own,” he stated. The Chancellor also disclosed that the university would soon start programmes in medicine and law, as preparations were being finalised with the National Universities Commission, NUC. The Pro-Chancellor, Bishop David Abioye, told the graduands to be courageous to face the challenges of life. He opined that some people would discover their dreams, but lack the courage to actualise them. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, said out of the 1,677 who bagged first degree in various fields, 206 came out with first class degree. He added that of the 257 who bagged postgraduate degrees, 77 got the Doctor of Philosophy degree, the highest number since the school was set up.   The Overall Best Ph.D student was Kehinde Busola Elizabeth, while the Overall Best Master degree student was Vershima Denen Ashiekaa.

  The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has hinted that God has not spoken to him yet on the winner of the next President of the country in the forthcoming 2023 polls. The revered cleric made the claim on Saturday morning, January 7, during this month’s Holy Ghost Service tagged, “Wonderful” which was held at the Redemption City, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State. Adeboye added that members of RCCG and Nigerians at large should ensure their Permanent Voter Cards are handy and ready to be used to exercise their civic rights come February 25 presidential poll whether God specifies the winner before then or not. “You may be saying the election is next month and He has not spoken until now. I advise that you get your PVCs ready. “If He doesn’t speak before the elections, then be ready to vote as your spirit leads. If He tells me, well, I may tell you or I may not,” he said. Speaking to the congregation on other prophecies that might have been heard on the winner, Adeboye said it is important to listen to only the words of God and discard fake prophecies. The RCCG leader further charged the congregation to ensure they live holy to hear when God speaks and to be ready to follow His directives so as not to be led astray by fake prophecies.

  The Leader and Chairman, Yoruba Self-Determination Struggle, also known as Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Wale Adeniran, has resigned his membership from the group over allegations of fraud and embezzlement. In a two-minute 33 seconds video watched on YouTube (Omoboriowo media) on Saturday, Adeniran said he stepped aside to allow a thorough investigation into the allegation of fraud levelled against him. He challenged whoever might have evidence or evidences against him or who might have sent money to the organisation through him to come forward and make it known to the public. Adeniran said he resigned his membership from the IOOW with a view to allowing thorough investigation, calling on Yoruba elders to set up a committee in that regard. He said, “I want to use this medium to step aside as Chairman of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, as member of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, I step down as the participant in the Yoruba Nation struggle so as to allow for unfettered investigations of all these allegations. “Because in all developed parts of the world, what they normally do is that, if there is an allegation against public office holder, he or she will step aside to allow thorough investigation, that’s what I’m doing right now. “I thank you all, and whatever comes out after the investigation should be made public. There shouldn’t be secret there. They should publicise the outcome of the investigation because all Yoruba must know the truth about the fraud allegation involving the struggle. Thank you,” Adeniran added. Also withdrawing, Maxwell Adeleye, the Communications Manager of the immediate past leader and Chairman of the group, Banji Akintoye, said, “In view of recent developments in the group, I wish to inform all the Yoruba people worldwide that I have stepped aside and withdrawn from the agitation for an Independent Yoruba nation under its current leadership with effect from January 6, 2023.” “May I inform members of the public that I stepped aside as the Communications Manager of Professor Banji Akintoye since August 5, 2022 and finally cut-off communication with the historian since October 31, 2022. I have also resigned my membership of Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide,” he stated.

  The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Prof. Florence Obi, has approved the suspension of four students of the institution identified in a viral video and found culpable of partaking in an unlawful act of water ritual on a fellow female student. The announcement of the suspension is contained in a release signed on Saturday in Calabar by Mr Gabriel Egbe, Registrar of the institution. Egbe said that the unlawful act was carried out by the four students during the last matriculation ceremony of the institution on December 2, 2022. Egbe mentioned the affected students to include Stephen Usen, a student of Accounting Department, year 4, and Aniefiok Idorenyin, a student of Computer Science, year 2. Others are Miracle Adeyemi, a student of Political Science, year 2 and Blessing Queen, a student of Genetics and Biotech, year 4. “Management deliberated extensively on the report of the committee on Gender-Based Violence and the strength of its findings and has accordingly directed the affected students to proceed on suspension with effect from the 2020/2021 academic session. “Deans, Heads of Departments and other relevant officers of the university have been tasked with the duty of full compliance with the given directive,” Egbe said. NAN