The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Enoch Adeboye, has deleted a video posted on his X platform supporting the State of Israel in their ongoing war with Hamas terrorist group in the Gaza Strip, Palestine Adebayo in the now deleted video, sent his prayers with the caption: “It is my prayer for all our brethren in Israel that the Almighty will grant you absolute peace from now on in Jesus name. #Israel #peace”. He said, “Hello my beloved brothers in Israel, I want you to know that we are praying for you, that all members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God all over the world are standing by you at this very critical moment. “The Almighty God, the only one of Israel will give you absolute victory and give you permanent peace from now on in the mighty name of Jesus. It’s going to be well with you, we pray that this one will be the war that will end all wars in Israel, that from now on it will be peace, it will be progress and no one ever again will disturb Israel.” No reason has been given for the deleting of the video but it might it not be unconnected to the backlashes the video got from Nigerians on the social media platform. While the Christians were condemning Adebayo for his grave silence in the killing of Christians in Nigeria, the Muslims saw his support as a direct affront on their religion.

  US President Joe Biden condemned Donald Trump on Thursday for describing Hezbollah as “very smart” even as the Lebanese militant group exchanges fire with Israel following the Hamas attack on the US ally. During a campaign speech in Florida, Trump also falsely accused the Biden administration of bankrolling the Hamas assault as a result of a prisoner exchange deal with Iran, which has historically funded Hamas and Hezbollah. Biden said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that “our nation’s support for Israel is resolute and unwavering. And the right time to praise the terrorists who seek to destroy them is never.” Trump had made his remarks to supporters in West Palm Beach as he was criticizing the White House. You know, Hezbollah is very smart. They’re all very smart,’” Trump said. White House deputy press secretary Andrew Bates said Trump’s remarks were “dangerous and unhinged.” Israel also reacted angrily, with Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi in a TV interview saying Trump could “obviously” not be trusted. “It is shameful that such a person, a former president of the United States, aid propaganda and spreads comments that harm the spirit of IDF (army) fighters and the spirit of Israeli residents,” Karhi said. “We don’t need to deal with him or with the nonsense he says.” Hamas gunmen killed 1,200 people in Israel and took about 150 hostages in their surprise onslaught from Gaza Saturday. Israel has retaliated by raining air and artillery strikes on Hamas targets in Gaza for six days, claiming over 1,350 lives. Israel’s defence has been complicated by clashes in the north with Hezbollah in recent days, including cross-border rockets and shelling. Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who is running in a distant second place behind Trump in the race for the Republican 2024 presidential nomination, also took aim at his rival. “It is absurd that anyone, much less someone running for President, would choose now to attack our friend and ally, Israel, much less praise Hezbollah terrorists as ‘very smart,” he posted on X. The Trump campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to AFP.

  The Police Service Commission has approved the promotion of 5718 senior Police Officers comprising both general duty and specialists cadres of the Force. A statement by the Commission said it approved the promotion of twelve (12) Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors General of Police, AIG; 19 Deputy Commissioners of Police, DCPs to the substantive rank of Commissioners and 21 Assistant Commissioners of Police, ACPs to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners. Thirty three (33) Chief Superintendents of Police, CSPs were also elevated to Assistant Commissioners of Police. The Commission further approved the promotion of 265 Superintendents of Police to Chief Superintendents (CSPs); 59 Deputy Superintendents to Superintendents (SPs) and 4750 Assistant Superintendents. Another 146 Assistant Superintendents omitted during the May 2022 promotion exercise were elevated to Deputy Superintendents of Police. For the Specialists cadre, the Commission approved the promotion of two Assistant Commissioners of Police; one from Airwing and the other Forensic to the next rank of Deputy Commissioners. 47 CSPs comprising 23 Medical Doctors and 24 Veterinary Doctors were promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioners of Police. One hundred and Ninety (190) Superintendents of Police from the Computer Info – Tech Unit; another eight from Works; one workshop; twelve transport; two forensic; two handwriting; one ballistcs; one religion and one Veterinary Doctor were also promoted. Spokesman of PSC, Ikechukwu Ani said, “Forty seven (47) Specialists of Assistant Superintendents of Police rank and of different Units were promoted to Deputy Superintendents”. The PSC Chairman, Dr Solomon Arase (IGP Rtd) charged the newly promoted Officers to embrace a new policing culture that is hinged on people friendly approach that respects the fundamental rights of the citizens. Related News Police nab, parade 2 Kwara Poly students for killing hotel owner in fatal threesome Police arrest mother, son for burying stepbrother alive One Chance: Police warn FCT residents against boarding unpainted taxis He warned that they should desist from involving themselves in civil matters or trumping up false allegations against the public “as such conduct will not make them win the hearts and minds of the people which will deprive them of credible information from public spirited individuals when dealing with internal security issues. Dr. Arase commended the Inspector General of Police for collaborating with the Commission in ensuring that for the first time in a very long while, the promotions have permeated all the departments of the Force. “This singular act I hope will motivate the workforce to give back their best in ensuring that issues of crimes and criminality are properly dealt with” he said. He urged them to remember that benefits and burden go together adding that the good gesture of promoting them to the next rank should be a motivation that will ignite the “indomitable fighting spirit which the Police have been known for throughout the years”. PSC Chairman said, “While the Commission pushes for an improved welfare for the Officers, they should reciprocate by conducting themselves within established laws and rules guiding the Police Force. Dr. Arase added that as they go about their policing duties, the Commission wishes them God’s protection at all times and “let them be reassured that their interests will be paramount to the Commission “. The 12 Commissioners of Police promoted to Assistant Inspectors General of Police are, Ogundele Joshua Ayodeji, CP Niger State; CP Patrick Ogon Edung, CP Courses Police Academy Wudil Kano; CP Badru Banji Lawal; Deputy Commandant, Police Academy Kano; CP Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka; CP Benue State; CP Suleiman Yusuf; CP Taraba State; CP Idowu Owohunwa; CP Lagos State and CP Rhoda Adetutu Olofu; CP PAP Western Ports Lagos. Others are CP Godwin N. Aghaulor; CMDT Police College Kaduna; CP Effiom Emmanuel Ekot CP Jigawa State; CP Stanley Kanayo-Chukwu Ude; CP Intelligence and Investigation, Interpol Abuja; CP Longe Kehinde Patrick; CP Osun State and CP Ndu Anene, CP Admin Research and Planning Force Headquarters. The 19 newly promoted Commissioners of Police are; DCP Shehu Kabir Abubakar; DCP Lawal Babatunde Ayodeji; DCP Shelleng Umaru Yusuf; DCP Emmanuel Agene; DCP Alonyenu Francis Iduh; DCP Vungmoh S. Kwaimo; DCP Danjuma Aboki; DCP Jude Maduekwujolachi Azuka; DCP Dan-Sabo Idi; DCP Ibitoye Rufus Olajide and DCP Adamu Ngojin Isa. Others are DCP Usman Hayatu; DCP Christopher Ado Emmanuel; DCP Nwanosike Wodi Okocha; DCP Johnson Oluwole Adenola; DCP Olanrewaju Olawale Ishola; DCP Joseph Eribo; DCP Miller Gajere Dantawaye and DCP Henry Ifeanyi Uche. The newly promoted Deputy Commissioners include; Ime Udo Udofia, Isyaku Sharu; Benjamin Awor Abang; Mohammed Jika Abubakar; Mohammed Sanusi Ahmed; Dauda Iliya Ayuba; Moses Gana; Ikechukwu Emmanuel Nwosu; Promise Chinedu Udeh and Okey Nwabufo. The new Assistant Commissioners are Jacob Nneji Egede; Godwin Chike Oti; Chike Jude Ibe; Daniel Okon Akpan and Michael Chukwu Mbatam amongst others. ACP Inuwa Muhammed (Airwing) and ACP Agbo Usman were promoted to Deputy Commissioners while CSP Okunbo Ruth Onyinmeare; Victor Efobi Iwuamadi; Adenuga Adeday Salami and Isibhakhomen Blessing Ijiomah (medical Doctors) were some of the specialists promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioners . SPs Tina Amadi; Egbede Moses; Danjuma Dantani; Benjamin Kurya; Hussaine Abdullahi; Mba Nnamdi Bartholomew; John Chima Ayah; Sanusi Danlami; Asinim Butswat, Police Public Relations Officer Bayelsa state; Command; Dieke Nneka Josephine; Mohammed Iya Musa; Idris Mohammed Gumel and Ernest Abia were some of the Superintendents promoted to Chief Superintendents of Police. DSP Isah Abubakar was promoted to the next rank of Superintendent while ASP Kingsley Ani and Shehu Salisu were promoted to Deputy Superintendents amongst several others. The Commissioners of Police and Deputies appeared before the Commission for promotion interview a condition precedent for their promotions.

  The EU’s top tech enforcer, Commissioner Thierry Breton, warned TikTok on Thursday over “illegal content and disinformation” on its platform, following the bloody attack by Hamas in Israel. The alert, and a demand that Chinese-owned TikTok respond within 24 hours with details on how it is curbing online disinformation, mirrored similar warnings Breton issued this week to X, formerly Twitter, and Facebook parent Meta. “Given that your platform is extensively used by children and teenagers, you have a particular obligation to protect them from violent content depicting hostage taking and other graphic videos which are reportedly widely circulating on your platform, without appropriate safeguards,” Breton said in a letter to TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. Breton stressed that TikTok and other large online platforms were subject to the EU’s new Digital Services Act (DSA), legislation that came in two months ago that requires them to crack down on content deemed illegal under EU law or laws of individual EU countries. Violations of the DSA can be met with mandatory remedial measures to halt such content, or fines that could go up to six percent of a company’s global turnover, or potentially even steps to ban the platform from Europe. As with his letters to X owner Elon Musk and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, Breton told Chew his request was urgent and required a response “within the next 24 hours”. The full text of the letter was posted on Breton’s account on X, and a new one he opened this week on X rival Bluesky. According to the respected online verification, investigation and debunking website Bellingcat, misinformation and disinformation related to Hamas’s attack in Israel last weekend has surged. It documented examples of false or misleading videos being posted on X, TikTok and other platforms. It found several such videos on the social media network, Telegram, which is not yet subject to the DSA but will be when smaller platforms get caught in its net from February. AFP

  Bandits were reported to have killed a ransom bearer who volunteered to deliver an undisclosed sum of money to secure the release of a kidnapped village head in Kaduna State. The ransom bearer, simply identified as Abdullahi Haruna, a member of the First Aid Group of Fitiyanul Islam, was said to have gone to deliver the ransom to the bandits when he was killed at about 2:00 pm at the Sabon Layi Kidandan, Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Wednesday. A vigilante member, who craved anonymity, confirmed the sad news of the incident to newsmen on Thursday. This development left residents of Kidandan village in a panic mode. He added that the bandits tried to force his motorcycle from him after collecting the ransom, but he resisted, telling them he was only there to deliver it. “They shot him for resisting to follow them into the bush. This happened in the daytime with people watching at Sabon Layi,” the source said. It was gathered that Sabon Layi village is the centre of ransom collection for most of the abductions around the area. There was no confirmation from either the state or the state police command as of the time of filing this report. Still, the state Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansur Hassan, told our correspondent that he was driving and would get back to him, which he never did. Details later…

  Police in Kogi have arrested the stepmother of the 11-year-old boy buried alive on Wednesday by the woman’s 17-year-old son. Police spokesman in Kogi, SP Williams Ovye-Aya said in Lokoja that the woman was arrested on Thursday soon as she returned from the church. Passers-by rescued the 11-year-old on Wednesday after he had been buried by his stepbrother in a bush at Silo community in Zango Daji, Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi. The 11-year-old boy was alleged to have stolen N10,000 belonging to his stepmother who instructed her son to punish the suspect before heading to church. In meting punishment to the 11-year-old, the 17-year-old took his stepbrother into the bush where he buried him alive, throwing the entire Kogi into bewilderment. “Our officers and men were able to arrest the stepmother on Thursday after a tip off. She is now in our custody. “She has made a statement to the police on the sad incident. “We shall transfer the mother and son to the Criminal Investigation Department for further interrogation of reasons behind such cruelty among family members. “It is unfortunate that the father or bread winner of the family was said to have travelled. We are waiting for him to return to give us his own statement. “Once investigation is concluded, we shall arraign mother and son,’’ Mr Ovye-Aya said. Meanwhile the Kogi government has vowed to prosecute the 17-year-old boy and the mother. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Fatima Buba made the avowal on Thursday in Lokoja when she spoke with newsmen over the incident. Mrs Buba described the incident as “very wicked’’ and “saddening’’ and assured that the ministry was in constant liaison with the police for the immediate prosecution of the mother and son. “While the ministry is liaising with the police for their prosecution, necessary arrangements had been made to put the 11-year-old boy in an orphanage home. “Our findings indicate that the boy is regularly maltreated by his stepmother and stepbrother. “As a government we will ensure that justice is served on all the perpetrators of evil acts in Kogi,’’ she said. Mr Buba warned guardians fond of inhuman treatment of their wards to desist or face the full wrath of the law.