Hage Geingob, the president of Namibia, has died at the age of 82. Geingob died at the Lady Pohamba Hospital in Windhoek, Namibia’s capital city, according to a statement from Nangolo Mbumba, acting president. Geingob revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with cancer. “The Namibian nation has lost a distinguished servant of the people, a liberation struggle icon, the chief architect of our constitution and the pillar of the Namibian house,” the statement from Mbumba reads. “At this moment of deepest sorrow, I appeal to the nation to remain calm and collected while the Government attends to all necessary state arrangements, preparations and other protocols.” Geingob returned from a trip to the US last Wednesday after undergoing a two-day treatment as part of a medical trial. He became president in 2015 and was re-elected in 2019 for a second and final term of five years. A teacher by training, Geingob was Namibia’s first prime minister from 1990 to 2002, a role he also occupied between 2012 and 2015. He was also the minister of trade and industry from 2008 to 2012.

  The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested three persons for alleged vote buying during the by-election in Sokoto state. In a statement on Saturday, ICPC said the suspects aged 37, 38 and 48 respectively, were caught in a polling unit in the Yabo/Shagari federal constituency, with over three million naira in cash. “Officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have today arrested 3 persons suspected to be vote buyers in Sokoto State during the by-elections monitoring exercise,” the statement reads. “3 males aged 48, 37 and 38 were caught in a polling unit of Yabo/Shagari Federal Constituency in Sokoto State with the sum of N3,105,400 within the voting premises. “All the suspects have been taken into the custody of the Commission and investigations have commenced. ICPC will work with INEC in the prosecution of the cases.” The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted by-elections and rerun polls in 26 states on Saturday, February 3. The by-elections were a result of the death or resignation of members of the national and state assemblies, while rerun polls were those ordered by the court. The elections held in 80 LGAs across 575 registration areas and 8,934 polling units.

  The Nigerian Air Force on Sunday said several terrorists were killed during a joint operation by the air component of Operation Hadarin Daji and troops of the Nigerian Army. The service also said their hideouts on Tora Hills in Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State were equally destroyed. A statement on Sunday by its Director, Public Relations and Information, Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, noted that the airstrikes by the NAF jet enabled the ground troops to carry out successful clearance operations. It read, “A well-planned and coordinated joint operation between the Air Component of Operation Hadarin Daji and the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army on 30 January 2024, has led to the elimination of several terrorists and destruction of their enclave located on Tora Hills in Safana LGA of Katsina State. “The location was first struck by NAF aircraft, after which the ground troops successfully mopped up fleeing terrorists. Footages from the Battle Damage Assessment as well as feedback received from other sources revealed that the air strikes significantly degraded the capabilities of the terrorists which then facilitated a hitch-free clearance operation by troops of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army. “The joint operation did not only result in the neutralisation of several terrorists and destruction of their hideouts on the hill but also offered the ground troops the opportunity to ascend and clear Tsora Hill, which had hitherto served as a hiding place for terrorists in Safana LGA.” This is not the first time the Nigerian Air Force will embark on such successful operations. NAF jet has previously conducted airstrikes which has resulted in the deaths of several terrorists. One such example was when the airstrikes by the air component of Operation Whirl Punch in Niger State killed a terrorist kingpin identified as Yellow Janbros and other terrorists on December 11, 2023. Also, on January 7, 2024, the service said airstrikes from its jet killed several terrorists and destroyed their armories in Borno.

  The kidnapped schoolchildren of Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure-Ekiti, Ekiti State and their teachers have been released. Daily Trust learnt that the victims regained their freedom around 2.00 a.m on Sunday. The children and their teachers had been with the kidnappers for about seven days. In a short video clip obtained by our correspondent, the freed pupils and their teachers sat on the floor, looking tired as a mother lamented the condition of her child in the background. Daily Trust reported that the abductors had demanded N100 million for the release of the victims, but it was not immediately clear if a ransom was eventually paid or not. A school bus conveying pupils and some staff members of the school to their respective houses was ambused by gunmen Monday evening. About 10 occupants of the bus — five schoolchildren, three teachers and the driver — were abducted and whisked away. There were rumours on Saturday that the victims had been released, which the police debunked. Details later…

  Sunday 04 February 2024 Kidnappers on the Loose: How Nigerians are unknowingly raising their kidnap/ransom value – Aliyu JAPA: Nigerians sleeping in Belgium streets extreme cold weather — Belgian official Inspectors Murder: Police arrest suspected serial killer, 21 others in A’Ibom Bandits attack Katsina Security Watch Corps, kill four Unholy love: Borno youths’ craze for fermented urine frustrates war against substance abuse Patients grapple with sexual harassment in hospitals over ignorance, unethical practices Kidnapping epidemic: S’West states plan joint security patrols, more arms Tinubu Has Gaze Fixed On Solving Economic, Security Challenges – Gbajabiamila Senegal President Calls Off February 25 Election No Plans To Convert $30bn Domiciliary Deposits To Naira – CBN Alleged N2.2bn Fraud: Court Adjourns Mamman Ali’s Trial Till March 25 At Least 11 Dead In Ukrainian Shelling Of Occupied City – Russia Forex Crisis Pushes Hajj Fare To N4.9m 30 Minutes With General Christopher Musa Tsakuwa: Kano Community Without Police Station Importation Woe Worsens As FG Raises Cargo Clearance Rate Again In 24 Hrs How heightened insecurity in FCT spur rejig of governance strategies Okonjo-Iweala, Weah, others to receive AHA Award in South Africa At 48, Imo is moving forward, I’m working tirelessly to fulfill promises — Uzodimma Obesity Crisis: Nigerians lament battle with excess weight Food insecurity: Low, middle-income countries record high inflation — World Bank report ASUU embarks on nationwide consultation with members over non-implementation of agreements by FG Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  OVER 60 lives have been lost to the renewed attacks by suspected armed herders who invaded communities in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State in three months. This is just as about 10 communities sacked with no fewer than five already desolate following unabated attacks that occurred between the same period. Sunday Tribune learnt that the latest attacks on Agatu communities began in November 2023 and have continued till date. The lawmaker representing Agatu State constituency in the Benue State Assembly, Godwin Edo, stated that the attackers always pass messages of their planned attack to the communities. He listed the communities that have become desolate to include Ikpele, Ugboju, Okokolo, Okunogbo, Ejima, Opokolofo, Ejienyin, Okokolo. Edoh said, “Our encounter with herders dates back 10 years but the latest one started in November 2023.   “Since the latest crisis started, about 60 people have been killed and ten communities affected. No fewer than six of these communities have been completely sacked with no soul living there. “The major problem is that anytime they (armed herders) are coming to attack, they always send a message. In fact, we heard that they have sent a message of their impending attack today (Saturday). The lawmaker lamented that governments at both state and federal level have turned deaf ears to the cries of Agatu people. He said: “Our cries to government and other security agencies for help have fallen on deaf ears so we are just left at the mercy of God. “What have my people done to this government in the state and at the federal level? I totally condemn this attack on innocent people of Agatu by these armed herdsmen who are bent on taking over and occupying our ancestral home by force.” Edoh added, “It’s like we have been abandoned because we have done our best to draw the attention of the government to the plight of our people but nothing has been done. “I have forwarded all the above (gory photos of dead bodies recovered) to the WhatsApp lines of both the governor, Father Hyacinth Alia and his deputy, Sam Ode.” Meanwhile, the lawmaker said that more security had been deployed to the local government to beef up security and ward off the armed herders in the area. He said, “I just received information that military personnel have been deployed to our community to beef up security and halt the movement of these armed herders who always come from Nasarawa State. Also lending his voice, the former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mike Inalegwu, who hails from the council area, said that the attacks on Agatu communities were unprovoked. “They just come over and attack our people without provocation,” Inalegwu said. He, however, applauded the security men for their efforts, saying every time, “you see them patrolling the forest and riverside. Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the governor, on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, described as falsehood claims that the government had abandoned the people. He said: “You should have made your findings and not ask me a question whether the government has abandoned them. You should have noticed the increase of military presence there.” Efforts to get the state command were not successful as repeated calls made to the spokesperson, Catherine Anene, rang out.

  Former senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Senator Shehu Sani, has claimed that over 10,000 schools in the North have closed due to kidnapping and terrorism. He made this known at Arewa House, Kaduna during the 15th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture on Girl Child Education, organised by the National Association of Seadogs/Pyrate Confraternity (NAS/PC). Senator Sani noted that “Most of those who are engaged in banditry and terrorism today are young people in their 20s and 30s. If we had provided them the education they needed, they wouldn’t have carried arms and been attacking people.” “I’m calling on the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as far as I’m concerned, to invest in education, security and agriculture. These are the basic things.” “If we want to get the issue of security and Education right in the North, we need to be serious about the issue of education. “Right in this Arewa House,this is where Sardauna of Sokoto lived, where he was killed in 1966, where the North was founded.   “During his time, he provided facilities and resources to educate the generation of leaders who took over power. He was selfless and sacrificed all he had. “The public schools that produced some of the best brains in Nigeria are schools we cannot take our children to now. Public primary schools have been destroyed. Public secondary schools have been destroyed and public education too. “From a little research I conducted, over 10,000 schools are closed due to banditry and terrorism in the Northern region. “And then, you can see, most of those who were presidents, governors, senators, captains of industries, all benefited from public education. If Northern Nigeria wants to get it right,it must invest in education. “The schools that produced the best brains in Nigeria are uninhabitable today. They are no longer conducive for learning. We have seen how kidnapping and terrorism destroyed public education in Nigeria. “Look at what happened to girls at Federal Government College Yauri. Look at what happened to young girls at a college in Zamfara State. Look at what happened even in Kaduna State today. Terrorism has become a serious problem. As far as education in Nigeria is concerned, we need to get things right and we have to do it now. “The government of President Tinubu, as far as I’m concerned, what we need now is education, security and investment in agriculture. These are the basic things. I want to make this categorically clear; it is the right of people to criticise the government, to express their opinion. “But the North must not use sectionalism and sentiment. We’ve seen how eight years of Buhari were wasted. Almost all the security apparatuses of this country were headed by Northerners. “Trillions of Naira were pumped into defence and security, which never led to security in this part of the country. This is part of what this part of this country is today. “People now pay taxes and levies to terrorists before they can be allowed to go to their farms. There are parts of the state today where rural dwellers call on terror groups to protect them from other terrorists. So you can see how this country is gradually collapsing. What is right should be done. “We should support the Service Chiefs. We should support the National Security Adviser. They should do whatever they can to secure this country. The use of Northern sentiment or regional sentiment would not help because we had the opportunity to get it right and we failed to do it,” he said. Senator Sani commended the National Association of Seadogs for organising the programme in Kaduna, which he described as timely, considering the state of education in the North.