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Sunday, March 28, 2021

How I Caught My Four-Month Pregnant Wife In Bed With Another Man— Oyo Cleric

A cleric, Abdulrasheed Olalere, has narrated how he allegedly caught his wife, Mariam, in bed with another man when she was four months pregnant.

Olalere, who filed for divorce against Mariam, accused her of infidelity and attempts to elope with her lover.Zipo.co.ke

He said they settled and he accepted his wife back after he caught her cheating on him with another man.

“I caught Mariam in bed with another man when she was just four months pregnant. I was angry with her but we settled the matter. The man also laid claims to the baby.

“But after medical reports revealed that the date given by the man proved him wrong about the date of the pregnancy, I accepted her back,” he said.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the cleric added that after interventions by different people, things started going on smoothly between them until his wife went back to her lover.

He said “My lord, I caught her trying to elope with that same man. Mariam is wayward.”

Reacting to all the allegations, Mariam insisted that her husband was irresponsible and uncaring.

She didn’t deny that she attempted to elope with her ex-boyfriend.

The Mapo Customary Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday dissolved the six-year-old marriage in the interest of peace.

The President of the court, Chief Ademola Odunade held that the marriage was not built on a solid foundation of love and trust.

Odunade awarded custody of the child to Mariam and directed Olalere to pay N5,000 for the child’s monthly upkeep.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Education News

Buhari Refuses To Act On Magu’s Probe Report Five Months After Submission

Ibrahim Magu’s fate remains uncertain five months after the submission of the report of the Justice Ayo Salami Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the former acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to President Muhammadu Buhari.

There have been concerns about the fate of Magu after the appointment and confirmation of Abdulrasheed Bawa as the new Executive Chairman of EFCC in February.According to Daily Trust, although sources in the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said the panel faulted some procedures in the management of recovered assets under Magu, the presidential white paper on the report had yet to be announced.

One of Magu’s lawyers, Tosin Ojaomo, said Magu remained in the service of the Nigeria Police Force though the police has yet to post him anywhere after his suspension as EFCC chairman.

Magu has not been sighted in uniform or in any police command five months after his removal as EFCC boss.

Two previous EFCC chief executives, Nuhu Ribadu (2003-2007) and Ibrahim Lamorde (2011-2015) seconded from the police returned to the police service after being removed from the EFCC.

One of the recommendations of the Salami panel, which sat from June to November 2020, is that officers from other law enforcement agencies should be considered in the appointment of the chairman of EFCC as provided under the EFCC Act 2004.

The panel also recommended an exit plan for 970 policemen comprising 114 drivers, 641 mobile policemen and 215 others (operations) on secondment to the EFCC to address the issue of lack of promotion of core staff members of the agency for over nine years.

The report of the panel reads in part: “Your Excellency, our thinking here is that whoever you are appointing other than a core EFCC staff should be in transitional capacity of two years during which period arrangement would be made for appointment of any of the core staff who has been commended by the National Crime Agency (NCA), UK, and other international law enforcement for their professionalism.”

The panel said Magu appeared during its hearing alongside 113 witnesses and that it received 46 petitions and memoranda against the former acting chairman and the commission from individuals and organisations.

Findings at the EFCC revealed that although Magu’s name is no longer on the payroll of the commission, he is still with the police.

Born on May 5, 1962, Magu is due to retire from the police on the same date next year when he would have attained the age of 60.

An official of the commission who spoke under condition of anonymity, said, “He is one of the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the NPF. He’s yet to retire since he has not clocked 35 years in service or 60 years of age as spelt out in the condition of service.

“Though he has not been deployed for a new assignment by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) after his travails as acting EFCC chief, I’m sure his entitlements have not been stopped for any reason.”

When asked for his whereabouts, the official said, “I can confirm to you that he’s still in the country, but staying largely at home. As of now, he can’t travel out of the country despite the fact that he has been removed finally.”

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Politics News

APC Candidate Demands Fresh Poll As Violence Mars Abia Bye-Election

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the ongoing Aba North/Aba South Federal Constituency bye-election, Mr. Mascot Kalu, has said that the exercise was marred by violence in some polling units.

Kalu, who is the younger brother of Chief Orji Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate, said he would call for the repeat of the election in the alleged violent areas.Akelicious.net

He spoke at the Eziama High School Ward 01, Unit 014, during an interaction with newsmen.

“We have reports of malpractice at Abia Polytechnic, vote-buying at Item Hall but here at Eziama, it has been peaceful.

“We had a vigorous campaign and are hopeful we will emerge victoriously but it is the people that will decide at the end of the day,” Kalu said.

He denied the allegation that APC engaged the military to disrupt voting in some wards.

According to him, the military operatives only moved into areas they were invited due to electoral violence.

Earlier on Saturday, a substance suspected to be a bomb exploded at the Umuola Hall, Ward 8, Ogbor Hill, Aba North council.

Although no life was lost, electoral materials were scattered as workers, voters and party agents scampered to safety.

However, security agents stormed the area and restored order. As of the time of filing this report, voting has restarted.

A voter, who gave his Chinedu Eze, said they were in a queue when a loud sound enveloped the area and everyone fled.

Later, unknown gunmen abducted the APC collation officer for Aba North council, Mike Ozoemena, at the ongoing bye-election.

Ozoemena, who is also the campaign Officer of the APC candidate, Mascot Uzor Kalu, was kidnapped at the Industrial ward 2 areas.

The APC Publicity Secretary, Abia State, Ben Godson, who confirmed the incident, had said that Ozoemena’s whereabouts were still unknown.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Politics News

Ganduje Harasses Activist’s Family With Policemen In Kaduna, Katsina For Questioning How COVID-19 Funds Are Spent

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has continued to intimidate the family of a human rights activist and lawyer, Sa’ida Sa’ad-Bugaje, with policemen trailing her family members to neighbouring Katsina and Kaduna states.

NaijaGistReporters gathered that one of the “offences” of Sa’ad-Bugaje was that she criticized Ganduje over the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 funds in Kano, her home state.Barrister Saida Saad-Bugaje

Some months back, Sa’ad-Bugaje, wife of Dr Usman Bugaje, a renowned politician, was also subjected to harassment by persons believed to be the governor’s henchmen. She was almost whisked away by personnel claiming to be working for the authorities in her state.

Sa’ad-Bugaje could have been arrested if not for the intervention of the police and government of a neighbouring state.

In an update sent to SaharaReporters on Saturday, Sa’ad-Bugaje explained that the policemen being deployed by Ganduje had in the last week been trailing her family members to Katsina and Kaduna states, without a court order and any established crime.

Sa’ad-Bugaje lamented that the governor, instead of following legal channels to address his grievances, rather resorted to witch-hunt and using the police to harass his perceived critics and opponents.

In an update sent to SaharaReporters, she said, “The Kano State police led by OC Legal Nura was in Katsina (my husband's state) on Wednesday searching for me. On Friday, they also visited my home in Kaduna at 2pm and tried to force themselves into the premises, if not for the determination of the people at the gate.

“It still baffles me why with a court order against this unruly behaviour, the police continue to harass us. The governor should be advised that there are legal channels and more civilised ways of seeking redress for his claims of defamation of character. Our courts have rules and procedures which his lawyers should guide him through.

“They must equally understand that they are exposing their illegal, ill-informed and ill-intentioned action against me not only to the Nigerian population but to the entire world. The world is now a global village and there are many avenues I can seek redress for his continuous and relentless harassment of my person and my entire family including my little boys who are terrified and confused with this unending ordeal.”

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Politics News

Chadian President Visits Buhari, Suggests Ways To End Boko Haram

The President of Chad, Marshal Idris Deby Itno, has expressed optimism that the armies of the four countries under the Multinational Joint Task Force can eradicate the Boko Haram insurgents.

According to Daily Trust, the Chadian President spoke Saturday while responding to questions from State House correspondents after an official visit to President Muhammadu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.The Chadian leader said terrorism remains an issue in the Lake Chad Basin and the Sahel region of Africa because the MNJTF has not been carrying out enough required operations.

According to him, he discussed the situation at the MNJTF with President Buhari, saying a situation where the joint military outfit embarks on just one operation in a whole year has made the fight difficult.

Marshal Into expressed optimism that with the new strategies being deployed and new officers with fresh ideas being assigned to take over commands at both national and regional levels, the menace of the various terror groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State, West African Province (ISWAP), would be addressed permanently.

“However, with the new security apparatus that has been put in place with the new security chiefs and not only in Nigeria but even on the Multinational Joint Task Force itself, which also has new leadership, that we’re hopeful now that with new strategies and new dynamism, that we’ll be able to address definitively the issue of Boko Haram.

“All the countries participating are taking responsibility, none of them is shirking their responsibilities and the military of all the countries also have that sense of responsibility of what needs to be done and what their obligation is, which is to protect all the countries and that they are fully on track for that and that with this new security architecture, we’re hopeful that the things will get much better and it will be done all together.

 “Boko Haram is indeed an evil that has hampered the four countries of the Lake Chad Basin and it has done harm to our populations. It would be remembered that since 2013/2014, the four countries put together their means to create the Multinational Joint Task Force, this Multinational Joint Task Force has had good results.

“Unfortunately, the resilience of Boko Haram and the Islamic State in the Lake Chad Basin has been unprecedented. They are being supplied and being trained and being formed through Libya. The MNJTF has done a lot of work and as you have seen recently, we’ve had exchanges on this with my brother on the way ahead. With the new team of the Chief of Defence Staff and the new Commander that has been appointed at the Multinational Joint Task Force, they are convinced that we can eradicate Boko Haram.

“There’s a lot of hope on this new team, with this new strategy. I remain confident that the four armies of the four countries can finish this evil and eradicate Boko Haram once and for all,” he said.

President Itno, while speaking further, said a number of important issues including the challenges facing Nigeria and Chad, were discussed at the meeting.

He said the meeting also discussed various bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Chadian President, who also said that they discussed the issue of Islamic state and the challenges that they pose to the two countries as well as the lake Chad environment, added that the issue of transfer of water from the Central African Republic was looked into with the question of Chad being a landlocked country.

Other areas were on transportation from Chad, which is a landlocked country by road and the possibility of constructing roads as well as rail transportation from Chad to Nigeria, and to Port Harcourt, where goods that are coming in will be able to be transferred to Chad.

They also discussed the issue of power and the interconnection, connectivity of power between Nigeria and Chad and the closure of the borders as well, adding that the discussion made him understand the reasons why the borders were closed.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Politics News

Buhari, Governors Can’t Decide Who Stays In Nigeria – Nnamdi Kanu

The leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has stated that it is not the duty of the President, the Federal Government of the governors to decide who stays or leaves Nigeria.

Kanu made the assertion on Saturday via a tweet on his official Twitter handle, noting that only a referendum by the people could determine that.He added that whether the country would disintegrate or remain integrated should be determined by the people via a referendum.

The founder of the Eastern Security Network added that the Nigerian military did not also have the power to stop a referendum.

“Dear Nigerian Govs. It’s not your business to decide whether the people of your State should remain Nigerians or not. It’s not even the business of @NGRPresident or the @HQNigerianArmy.

“Instead, it’s the business of the PEOPLE, freely expressed through a process called REFERENDUM”, he tweeted on Saturday.

SaharaReporters had on Saturday reported that members of the House of Representatives met with the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, behind closed doors at the Nigerian Army Headquarters in Abuja to discuss the secessions and agitations threats going on in the country.

Although the lawmakers and the military refused to disclose the details to the press, sources had noted that the rising agitations in the South-West led by popular Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, the Indigenous People of Biafra, and other agitations in the South-East and South-West topped the discussion.

The lawmakers’ committee led by its Chairman, Abdul-Razaq Namdas, held the meeting with the COAS behind closed doors at about 11am.

The lawmakers raised concerns over the agitations of individuals and groups to divide the country and rising insecurity.

A source, who was privy to the discussions at the meeting, said the army chief vowed to use all powers at his disposal to maintain the unity of the country and also defend its territorial integrity.

“The lawmakers discussed two major issues with the COAS. One is the issue of insecurity across the length and breadth of the country. The other one is the rising agitations among some individuals to divide the country,” the source said.

Only last week, the army chief had promised to flush out the secessionist agitators, saying the military was coming for such agitators “who are working to divide the unity of the country.”

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Politics News

Saturday, March 27, 2021

Bandits Demand N50million Ransom For Kidnapped RCCG Members

Bandits who abducted members of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Kaduna State, on their way to Kafanchan from Kaduna have reportedly placed N50million ransom on them.

A senior pastor of the church, who confirmed the story and the amount, explained that the eight members were kidnapped from the church bus at about 6:00 p.m while on their way for a church assignment.According to Daily Post, the RCCG cleric, who is a Special Assistant to the General Overseer said, “It’s true. It happened around 6pm. They are asking for a N50million.”

He said that the abducted persons were adult missionaries, male and female, from Kaduna Province 1 going to Kafanchan for prayer work.

Recall that an engineer, Eje Kenny Faraday, said “he narrowly escaped being a victim."

He had broken the news on his Facebook wall with the photograph of the empty bus around 7.00 p.m. on Friday.

He posted on his Facebook wall, “All passengers in the bus were kidnapped along Kachia Road, Kilometre 63 from Kaduna.”

The inscription on the side of the bus reads, “The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 30, Trinity Sanctuary, Kaduna.”

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Insecurity  News 

Again, B'Haram Terrorists Throw Maiduguri Into Darkness, Blow Up Power Tower

Barely 72 hours after electric power was restored in Maiduguri, Borno State capital, Boko Haram insurgents on Saturday blew up another transmission tower in the city.

According to Premium Times, sources said the insurgents planted explosives on each leg of the tower, which they detonated at about 6 a.m.

File photo used to illustrate story.

On Wednesday, jubilant residents of Maiduguri were seen in a video that trended on social media as they celebrated the return of electricity after nearly two months of blackout.

It took officials of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) that long to repair the transmission tower brought down by the insurgents at a location about 50km from Maiduguri.

While reconnecting the installation, three TCN officials were severely injured by a landmine planted by the insurgents. Another official was said to have lost his life after falling off a tower.

The Saturday morning attack did not come as a surprise as residents had expressed fears of the insurgents plunging the city into darkness again as soon as the lights were restored.

A security agent said the attacked tower was not far from the one brought down in January.

“It is a major setback for Maiduguri because the tower that was brought down has affected other poles,” he said.

“They planted bombs on each leg of the towér which caused it to go down, and they had also fired at some of the high tension wires that caused the lines to cut into bits,” he added.

It took officials of the TCN and the Borno government nearly two months to fix the first tower temporarily.

With the latest attack, Maiduguri residents would suffer from the attendant harsh economic impact the resumed blackout would cause.

The TCN and the Borno state government were yet to speak on the development when filing this report.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Insecurity  News 

Biden Invites Buhari, 39 Other Leaders To Climate Change Summit

United States President, Joe Biden, has invited President Muhammadu Buhari and 39 other world leaders to a virtual summit to galvanise efforts in tackling the climate crisis.

The two-day summit is expected to mark America’s return to the frontlines in the fight against human-caused climate change after former President Trump disengaged from the process.President Joe Biden

The White House said the summit is scheduled for April 22-23. It hopes that the meeting will help shape, speed up and deepen global efforts to cut climate-wrecking fossil fuel pollution.

“The summit will also highlight examples of how enhanced climate ambition will create good-paying jobs, advance innovative technologies, and help vulnerable countries adapt to climate impacts,” the White House said in a statement Friday.

The U.S. is also expected to announce “an ambitious 2030 emissions target.”

Biden invited leaders of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, which brings together 17 countries responsible for approximately 80 per cent of global emissions and global GDP as well as heads of other countries that are especially “vulnerable to climate impacts” or demonstrating “strong climate leadership.”

A small number of business and civil society leaders will also participate in the summit.

Major World leaders invited include the US rivals Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson to the summit.

Others are Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Entertainment  News 

Nnamdi Kanu Didn't Threaten Obi Of Onitsha—IPOB

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra says its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, did not threaten or insult Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, for creating Onitsha Ado Security Outfit.

It went further to clarify that Kanu was only alerting the revered monarch to be wary of the officials of the Nigerian authorities that might want to use the security outfit against the Eastern Security Network.

In a  statement made available to SaharaReporters on Saturday through its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB stated that “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu never threatened Obi of Onitsha.”

IPOB said, “The attention of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra IPOB has been drawn to the activities of mischief makers who are twisting the response of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, to the recent statement made by our revered Obi of Onitsha, HRM Igwe Alfred Achebe, concerning the formation of Onitsha Ado Security outfit.

“Our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu never threatened Obi Alfred Achebe and his security outfit but only advised the revered monarch not to allow himself and his newly formed security outfit to be used by Fulani Janjaweed in Abuja to fight ESN and IPOB.

“IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu never insulted the Obi of Onitsha as being mischievously misconstrued by these dubious characters and traitors in our land. They only want to twist facts for a piece of bread and crumbs from the caliphate. The fact remains that our leader, Kanu has enormous respect for the Obi of Onitsha and holds him in high esteem.

“Our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, supports every genuine security outfit set up to protect our land and forest and secure our mothers, wives and sisters from the incessant rapes and killings by Fulani terrorists. But any security outfit set up to attack ESN cannot be allowed to exist.

“All Biafrans both home and abroad must support ESN security outfit. We are aware that some unscrupulous individuals and groups including traitors are trying to use Onitsha Ado vigilante to create confusion in our land. Communities are free to form their own vigilante to protect their villages and towns from Fulani terrorists attack.

"But any vigilante group set up to undermine or sabotage IPOB and ESN will end in disgrace. May we reiterate that we are not against any village vigilante or market vigilante group but if it works against ESN personnel it will surely end in disaster.”

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

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BREAKING: Gridlock As Fire Breaks Out On Otedola Bridge In Lagos

A raging inferno on the popular Otedola Bridge in Lagos State has led to a heavy gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway and other parts of the state.

According to Daily Trust, an accident involving two tankers, a trailer and two cars led to the fire outbreak.Emergency responders comprising the Lagos Fire Service, the state Emergency Management Agency and the State Traffic Management Authority, among others, are on the ground to put out the fire and clear the expressway for vehicular movement.

On its Twitter page, LASTMA said the accident is affecting traffic backwards Motorway-7up to Alapere presently.

Motorists have been advised to use CMD Rd, 7up area to link Oworoshonki and Gbagada respectively

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Accident Politics News

Why A New Nigeria Is Impossible By Bayo Oluwasanmi

After nearly 61 years of independence, Nigeria continues to grope in the dark with no ray of hope that things will get better. Indeed, things are getting worse by the day. Out of this hopelessness grew the desire and determination for oppressed and marginalized Yoruba and Igbo to fight for self-determination that will extricate them from Fulani domination and bondage. 

As expected, some Nigerians opposed break up. Some believe in revolution. But how can there be a revolution when Fulani/northerners are spectators? Yesterday, those who still believe in one Nigeria held The People’s Alternative Summit 2021: “A New Nigeria Is Possible” at National Women’s Center FCT, Abuja. Prominent among the speakers were Femi Falana (SAN) human rights lawyer and activist and Omoyele Sowore publisher SaharaReporters, activist, and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).I watched the summit from the beginning to the end. As usual, Falana and Sowore spoke eloquently and brilliantly dissected the ancient problems facing the directionless and ungovernable Nigeria. That’s how far I agree with them. Like majority of Nigerians, I believe a new Nigeria is absolutely impossible for the following reasons:

The Fulanis in charge of the central government are alien to civilization, rule of law, democracy, and constitution law. All the worst dictators that ever ruled Nigeria are Fulanis. The present dictator General Muhammadu Buhari is a Fulani Sunni Muslim. Like they have demonstrated time and time again, they prefer Sharia law to constitutional law. The fight for a better Nigeria is mainly by Yorubas and Igbos. The Fulanis being the major beneficiaries of federal power, purse, and nepotism, are missing in action. They are totally against anything that will radically transform Nigeria. The 1999 Constitution was written by and for Fulanis. The Constitution gives them undue advantage over other ethnic groups which is why they opposed a new constitution. 

They have made the country so ungovernable. Anarchy reigns supreme everywhere you turn. There’s no law and order. Court judgments are vacated with impunity. Getting justice in Nigeria is as impossible as for a camel to pass through the needle’s eyes. The protracted case of Sowore is a classical example. The case has been delayed, adjourned and postponed many times.  

Fulanis see themselves as the rightful owners of Nigeria. They feel superior to other ethnic groups. In their arrogance and obduracy, they believe they were born to rule Nigeria forever. It’s their way or the highway. To a large extent, they have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams. As long as Fulani is the president, they don’t care how Nigeria is governed.

Every strategic positions are controlled by Fulanis: armed forces, federal civil service, justice department, federal corporations and agencies, federal institutions, foreign service, name it. They are the prosecutor, jury, and the judge. They are anathema to a new Nigeria that will level the plain field for all Nigerians. They are against meritocracy. 

INEC is headed by a Fulani. Fulanis will never allow free, fair, and credible elections that will make way for a progressive, visionary, and revolutionary president like Sowore because it will hurt and halt their hegemony. It is instructive to note that all the progressive ideas - a new constitution, creation of state police, new revenue allocation formula, restructure based on devolution of power, state autonomy, etc., suggested at the National Conference initiated by former President Goodluck Jonathan were flatly rejected by Fulani/northern delegates. 

In the National Assembly the Fulani/northern Reps and Senators are more than the Southwest and South-south combined. Any progressive legislation is DOA - dead on arrival! We all know the easiest way to remove incompetent politicians from office is through election. When Americans got tired of Donald Trump, they threw him out through the power of the ballot box. That’s not possible in Nigeria. In a country where Fulani federal government equates dissent, criticisms, protests, freedom of press to treasonable felony, how can you hold such a regime accountable? How can you call such a government to order? 

Yorubas, Igbos, and Hausa/Fulanis have nothing in common. For example, Yorubas are urban dwellers, Fulanis are nomads. Yorubas are highly educated, enlightened, liberal, civilized, sophisticated, creative, intelligent, warm, friendly, accommodating. Whereas Fulanis are barbaric, hostile, violent, feudalistic, uninspiring, uneducated, raw, and unintelligent. These and other differences make our union unworkable and impossible. Dissolution is the answer.

We know there will be challenges in Oduduwa Nation. Our situation cannot be worst from where we are coming from. Yorubas have the capacity, capability, resources, creativity, and the resolve to make Oduduwa Nation one of the best emerging nations. There will never be one united Nigeria. Our best bet is separation. Then we can live happily ever!

bjoluwasanmi@gmail.com

SOURCE: Bayo Oluwasanimi

READ MORE: Opinion 

Gunmen Attack Ebonyi Community, Kill Scores Of Residents, Burn 200 Houses

Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have attacked Nwekendiagu Village, in Effium, in the Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The gunmen on Thursday invaded the village in the early hours of the day, killing at least 15 persons and burnt over 200 houses, including a fuel station located in the area.According to Igbere Television, a resident of the area that fled from the village due to the crisis fingered Effium warriors to be behind the attack.

He said, “Yes, the Effiumite warriors attacked a village called Nwekendiagu and killed more than 15 persons and burnt more than 200 houses including fuel station.”

The attack on Ohaukwu LGA has been recurrent in recent weeks. On March 9, suspected gunmen from Uffiom attacked Omege People in Ebonyi State, killing people in their dozens.

It was gathered that houses were equally burnt and five persons kidnapped from Omege village.The crisis ensued as a result of a misunderstanding between two factions of Effium branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, over which group to be in charge of collecting revenue in the Effium motor park.

Residents of the area said over 1000 persons had been killed in the crisis, but the Ebonyi State government had characteristically downplayed the incident, claiming that only eight persons were killed.

Governor David Umahi had vowed not to free the stakeholders until peace returned and made a U-turn last week, by releasing them with a charge to go to their area and ensure that absolute peace returned.

The stakeholders, in compliance with the government directive, returned home to preach peace to their people, but fillers from the area indicate that their efforts yielded no result, as hostilities between the two clans have continued to persist.

SOURCE: NaijaGistReporters

READ MORE: Insecurity News

Buhari Didn’t Understand Road Photograph Ganduje Presented To Him – Kwankwaso

Former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari did not understand the road project photograph that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje presented to him at the presidential villa in Abuja.

Earlier in the week, Buhari played host to Ganduje who showed him a prototype of the proposed Muhammadu Buhari three-level interchange in Kano.Speaking with BBC Hausa, Kwankwaso wondered why the governor acquired a “loan of N20 billion” for the project, which he said is the responsibility of the Federal Government.

He accused Ganduje of not getting his priorities right, saying the education and welfare of the people ought to be on the front burner.

“Instead of Ganduje to go and see the president and ask him to do the bridge, because it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to do the flyovers connecting Kano city to Wudil, the governor went ahead and presented a photo that was badly designed, which even the president did not understand. There is something better in his (the president’s) office,” the former governor stated.

SOURCE: NaijaGistReporters

READ MORE: Politics News

Nigeria Needs A Revolution, Every Other Thing Is A Distraction – Sowore

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has called on those agitating for the break-up of the country to have a rethink and allow the revolution to take place.

He told the agitators not to be carried away by the illusion that their problems would be solved the moment they break up the country. He noted that many Nigerians joined the calls for break up out of frustration and disillusionment arising from the myriads of problems bedevilling the country.

Sowore disclosed this on Friday in Abuja while speaking at the People's Alternative Political Parties Summit titled, “New Nigeria is Possible.”

The activist wondered how the proponents of secession would break up the hearts of those who destroyed the country and inflicted untold hardship on the Nigerians.

He, however, suggested that it was better to break up the hearts of oppressive leaders rather than break up the country.

Sowore said, “Before the breakup, let's have the revolution first so that those people who put us in this condition will not have the joy of going anywhere for comfort. 

“How will you break up the hearts of the people who are destroying Nigeria who will now go back to their various new nation-states?”

He maintained that the same mistake made by the British for not seeking the permission of the people would be made if such an agenda pushes through.

He, however, cautioned various ethnic groups to be circumspect in their agitation for self-determination, adding that the only workable alternative was to allow a revolution to take place.

He frowned on the culture of immortalising past leaders who he described as architects of the nation's woes by naming public roads, schools and buildings after them.

He said he was saddened driving on the roads named after former leaders such as Late Sani Abacha, Ibrahim Gbadamosi Babangida, Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and others.

Sowore said, “As of today, these individuals have turned Nigeria into a superpower without power. They have made this country headquarters of the poorest people in the world. One of those people was recently awarded an appointment at the World Trade Organisation."

SOURCE: NaijaGistReporters

READ MORE: Politics News

I Won't Forgive Killer Of My Daughter – Father Of Minna Bride Burnt To Death

Malam Ibrahim Na Khalida, the father of a 24-year-old woman, Amina Aliyu, who was allegedly killed and set ablaze by her co-wife, has demanded that her daughter’s attackers be prosecuted.

The father said he would never forgive the culprits, and justice must be served because it was an intentional crime.Fatima Aliyu, the co-wife, was accused of killing Amina only 50 days after the deceased got married to her husband in Minna.

The incident happened on Tuesday about six weeks after the deceased got married to the Niger State indigene. The same woman, according to the husband, is suspected to have killed her two stepdaughters in 2018.

According to DailyTrust, the father, Malam Na Khalifa, said he would want justice to take its course by ensuring that the perpetrators of the heinous act of murdering his daughter are brought to book.

He said in Islam, there is nothing wrong when somebody who is wronged decides to seek justice, adding that the Holy Qur’an has clearly spelt out the punishment for someone who kills another without a just cause.

“I will never forgive the blood of my daughter. The Qur’an says ‘We had ordained for them a life for a life’…, so I want to see that judgement is passed on the perpetrators of this dreadful act.

"No! I will never forgive them. If it was an accident or unintentional manslaughter, that is a different issue. But you beat my daughter to death and as if that was not enough, you also set her body ablaze, that I will never forgive,” he said in tears.

Malam Na Khalifa said he received the news of the death of his daughter with mixed feelings of happiness and anguish, explaining that the happiness was borne out of the conviction that, “the Prophet Muhammad, who does not tell anything but the truth, had given glad tidings to anyone killed unjustly that they will abide in paradise.

“Based on those glad tidings, I have no iota of doubt that my daughter will be among the dwellers of the paradise and that makes me happy. But I am grieved and it is really agonising bearing in mind that I will see her no more in this world and I am pained thinking what she went through in the hands of her assailants,” he said.

The bereaved father described his daughter as a peaceful, demure and well-behaved girl, who was different from her siblings in terms of good character.

He said though he was not financially fit to take the case up, he was happy to hear that the Emir of Minna has shown interest in the matter and some human rights groups have also indicated an interest in pursuing the matter to its conclusion.

The first wife, who was accused of Jealousy, reportedly beat her co-wife to death, locked the house, and burnt the house.

A family source of the deceased, who pleaded for anonymity, while narrating the incident said the two wives were not living in the same house.

“They were not living in the same house but the first wife went to her house which is not far and beat her to death before locking her room up and setting her ablaze”, he said.

But the husband, Aliyu Abdullahi Dayi, who spoke to our correspondent, said though he has not recorded any case of violence against his first wife, the manner in which she killed the new wife suggested that she was responsible for the death of his two daughters who died in a fire incident in 2018.

While narrating what happened, Dabi said he was not around when the incident happened but someone called him around 3pm on Tuesday that there was fire outbreak in the house and he went to the house immediately but didn’t see any sign of fire incident outside but when he went in, he met the wife dead.

“From my observation, she was hit on different parts of her body. Unfortunately, when they tried to burn the house with her corpse, the house didn’t burn.

“When I discovered she was dead, we reported at the Tundun Wada police station. All accusing fingers were pointed at my wife as the prime suspect. In fact, my first wife killed her,” he said.

On why they suspected the first wife, Dabi further explained that the mystery behind the death of his two daughters, the first and second born, on November 28, 2018, made his first wife the prime suspect and believed that she killed those innocent girls.

The Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Muhammed Adamu, who spoke to BBC Hausa Service, said there were strong indications that the co-wife was culpable of the homicide as it was confirmed that the deceased was hit on the head before she was set on fire.

He confirmed that the principal suspect and three other suspected accomplices are in the police net and that investigation into the matter was ongoing.

SOURCE: NaijaGistReporters

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Buhari Dragged To Court For Re-Appointing NPA Director, Usman, For Another Five Years

Some maritime stakeholders and experts have taken President Muhammadu Buhari to court for reappointing Hadiza Bala Usman as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority for another five years.

Buhari had on January 21, 2021, through his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, announced the reappointment of Usman as NPA MD for another five years, six months before the expiration of her initial five-year tenure.  Hadiza Bala Usman

The stakeholders argued that the President’s action was in contravention of the statutory provisions of the NPA Act and the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

They also stated that Usman’s premature tenure elongation would set a fertile ground for litigation, as the action was illegal, wrongful, null and void and of no effect whatsoever. 

NaijaGistReporters obtained the court documents of the originating summons, between Elder Asu Beks, Mr Tompra Abarowei, and Mr Miebi Senge as the Plaintiffs, and the President, the Minister of Transport, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, and Mr Emmanuell Adesoye, as the defendants.

The plaintiffs held that the newly constituted Board of NPA has no Representative of the Ministry of Transportation as enshrined in the statutes of the NPA Act.

In the suit filed on Thursday, March 25, 2021, the group led by Elder Asu Beks, CEO, Maritime Media Limited, is challenging the powers of President Buhari to “lawfully and prematurely reappoint Usman to her position as Managing Director of the NPA, six clear months before her tenure expires.”

The suit marked with the number FHC/L/CS/485/2021, was instituted on behalf of the group by Chief Mike A.A. Ozekhome chambers.

The group has therefore put forward the following questions for determination:  

“Whether the 1st defendant in the discharge of his statutory duties has the vires under Section 2 and 10 of the NPA Act to lawfully and prematurely re-appoint the 3rd defendant to her position as the Managing Director of the NPA six clear months before the expiration of her existing tenure of office.  

“Whether the acts of the 1st defendant in the appointment and composition of the NPA Board are not illegal, wrongful, unlawful, unconscionable, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.  

“Consequently, the group is seeking the following reliefs from the court; one, a declaration that the act of the 1st defendant in purporting to re-appoint and/or extend the tenure of office of the 3rd Defendant as the NPA Managing Director six months from the expiration of her present tenure is in contravention of the provisions of Sections 2 and 10 of the NPA Act, Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and thereby renders same unlawful, wrongful, illegal, null and void, and of no effect whatsoever.   

 “A declaration that the 1st Defendant lacks the authority, vires and power to prematurely re-appoint and extend the tenure of  office of the 3rd Defendant as the Managing Director of the NPA six (6) clear months to the expiration of the said tenure.  

“A declaration that the appointment of and composition of the new Board of the NPA as announced by the President on 21st January, 2021, is in blatant violation of the express provisions of Section 2 of the NPA Act, as the Act does not contemplate the composition of the Board based on geopolitical zones.”

NaijaGistReporters learnt that the defendants had been served respectively and have 30 days to respond to the summons or cause an appearance to be entered for them.  

SOURCE: NaijaGistReporters

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Only Two Persons In Kebbi, Taraba Received AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine - Nigerian Government

The National Primary Health Care Development Agency, an agency of the Federal Government, has confirmed that only one person in Kebbi and Taraba states each had received the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after about two weeks.

The agency did not say if the only person was the state governor.

But it added that over 300,000 people had received their first doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 in Nigeria.

The NPHCDA said on its official Twitter on Friday, noting that those vaccinated so far in the country were 9.5 per cent as of March 26, 2021.

It said over 374 585 people had been vaccinated across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The Nigeria Immunisation Agency data showed that all states except Kogi had commenced vaccination against the infection in the country.

It said Kogi State was not supplied with the vaccines because their cold store was still under repair following vandalisation during the EndSARS protest. 

It stated that Lagos State, the epicentre of coronavirus in the country, had vaccinated almost 92,000 people, making it the highest in the country; followed by Ogun with 36,953, Bauchi-31,321, Kaduna-29,426, Jigawa-22, 420 and Kwara- 20,060.

The agency noted that “states with the lowest number of vaccinated people were Kebbi, Taraba, with one each, while Abia had four.”

The NPHCDA said Nigerians could register for their COVID-19 vaccination by visiting its website nphcda.gov.ng and clicking on COVID-19 Vaccination e-registration.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: PUBLIC HEALTH News 

You Can't Break Nigeria Without War, Bloodshed, ACF Tells Agitators

The Arewa Consultative Forum has kicked against calls for the break up of Nigeria.

The ACF said Nigeria had experienced war before and does not want a repeat of the bloodshed.

The ACF National Publicity, Emmanuel Yawe, stated this in an interview with TheNation, adding that it was in the best interest of every component part of the country to stick together.

He said, “Nigeria is a free country and everyone is entitled to his opinion. ACF does not believe in secession and we don’t want to engage in an argument with those who believe in secession; there is no meeting point, we believe in one Nigeria. They don’t, so how can we engage them?

“We don’t want secession, they want it, so let them go ahead with it. But, I don’t know how they want to achieve it. It is very difficult to break away without war and we don’t want war.

“Because we know it is going to be a messy affair dividing Nigeria, it is going to lead to bloodshed, we don’t want it.

“We have experienced war before, we don’t want it again. The suffering, human waste, material waste are not our desire.

“So, we don’t want secession and we don’t want to argue with people who want to break up the country. We want the country to remain as one,” he said,

On the allegation that the secession agitators were sponsored to bully the President out of office, the ACF Publicity Secretary said, “We don’t know anything about it. Buhari’s government has so many critics; people criticise him for different things and different reasons. They have their reasons for criticising him.

“I’m not sure it is only the people calling for secession that are criticising him. Some people criticise him for his economic plan, some criticise him for his appointments, some criticise him for his security records and all of that. So, we don’t see criticising him as blackmailing him. Even ACF criticizes him and we have our own reasons for doing so.

"No government is perfect. Therefore, if you are in government and you see people who are criticising you as blackmailing you, it is unfortunate.”

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

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Petrol Price Increase Only After Negotiation With Labour — NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation on Friday said it would maintain its current ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit otherwise called petrol until the conclusion of ongoing engagement with the organised labour and other stakeholders.

NNPC had maintained an ex-depot price of N148/litre since February despite the hike in the actual cost of the commodity, hence incurring a subsidy of about N120bn monthly.

According to PUNCH, the corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Kennie Obateru, told journalists in Abuja that at the moment, NNPC was bearing the burden of importing refined petroleum products.

This, he said, was because the oil firm was the supplier of last resort with the task of guaranteeing energy security for the nation.

Shedding more light on the recent interview by the Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari, at the State House, Obateru said NNPC had no intention to preempt ongoing engagement with labour by unilaterally increasing the ex-depot price of petrol.

He said the corporation was bearing the burden of price differentials between the landing cost and pump price of petrol.

“NNPC has made arrangements for robust stock of petroleum products in all its strategic depots across the country to keep the nation well supplied at all times,” Obateru said.

He advised petroleum products marketers not to engage in an arbitrary price increase or hoarding of petrol so as not to disrupt the market.

He also urged motorists not to engage in panic buying, stressing that NNPC was committed to ensuring products availability in Nigeria.

The NNPC spokesperson assured marketers and all other stakeholders in the downstream sector of the oil firm’s sustainable collaboration for the interest of the general public.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

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How Jailed Professor Rigged Election For PDP, Not Me – Akpabio

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the jailed Professor Peter Ogban, who was found guilty of manipulating election results colluded with the Akwa Ibom Independent National Electoral Commissioner’s Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Peoples Democratic Party.

Akpabio said the three manipulated the election in Akwa Ibom State while debunking the claim by the PDP that the professor was punished for rigging for him and the APC.

Akpabio’s response came in a statement by his spokesman, Aniete Ekong.

“In their desperation in a continuing campaign of calumny against Senator Akpabio, the INEC in Akwa Ibom State twisted the context of the judgment and maliciously claimed that the election was rigged in favour of Senator Akpabio.

“Nothing could be further from the truth. The facts of the case put a lie to this assertion.

“Contrarily, Senator Akpabio was a victim of the fraudulent manipulation of the election of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District held on February 23, 2019.

“He is vindicated that the perpetrators of the electoral fraud are being brought to justice. At last, the chickens are coming home to roost.

“It could be recalled that Sen. Godswill Akpabio had approached the National Assembly Election Tribunal to challenge the outcome of February 23, 2019, Senatorial District elections held in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District,” the statement reads.

Akpabio accused Professor Ogban, the Returning Officer of Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District, alongside the REC, Mr Mike Igini, of hijacking the Election Results from the Senatorial District Collation Headquarters, Ikot Ekpene, to another Senatorial District at the INEC office in Uyo.

The statement further reads, “In that election, Sen. Godswill Akpabio’s votes, totalling about 61,329 in his LGA – Essien Udim Local Government, were not announced by Prof. Peter Ogban in accordance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

“Rather, Prof Ogban who served as the Senatorial District Returning Officer joined the Resident Electoral Commissioner to Uyo where the votes/ scores of Sen. Akpabio were cancelled in various polling units and collation centres of different Local Government Areas constituting Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District including 61,329 votes of his home local government.

“An appeal from the National Assembly Election Tribunal to the Court of Appeal invalidated the elections and a rerun election was ordered in Essien Udim Local Government Area because of the fraudulent act of Prof Ogban and Mike Igini.

“The only surprise is that it is only the Returning Officer that was charged while the REC is still parading himself in freedom.

“In a judgment of the Court of Appeal, the justices allowed the appeal by Senator Godswill Akpabio and ordered a Rerun election, while the Certificate of Return of the PDP candidate was withdrawn and nullified.

“The court condemned the action of the INEC and that of Prof. Ogban for which Prof. Ogban was charged, found guilty and sentenced to three years imprisonment and a fine of N100,000. The sentence has vindicated Senator Akpabio and the APC that the election was massively rigged.

“The question is: who was the beneficiary of the electoral fraud and manipulation in Akwa Ibom North-West Senatorial District? Certainly, not Senator Akpabio, which was why he challenged the outcome of the election up to the Court of Appeal, which upheld his appeal and ordered a rerun election with very strong condemnation of the activities of the Returning Officer and INEC. How could the same man whose actions Senator Akpabio was dissatisfied with and challenged in court be said to have rigged the election for Senator Akpabio?

“In due time, we believe all the conspirators will be brought to justice as Prof. Ogban, either through the judiciary or divine.”

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Elections Politics News 

BREAKING: Eight RCCG Evangelists Kidnapped On Their Way For Evangelism In Southern Kaduna

Eight members of the Redeemed Christian Church's evangelism team, Trinity Sanctuary, Kaduna have been kidnapped.

Eyewitness account said they were kidnapped on Friday on their way for evangelism in the Southern Kaduna axis.

The Kaduna State Police Command spokesman, Mohammed Jalige, could not be reached for comments.

A statement from an eyewitness driver made available to journalists read in part: "Eight members of the evangelism team of the Redeemed Christian Church, Trinity Sanctuary Kaduna, were kidnapped this evening on their way to do evangelism in Southern Kaduna. They were kidnapped after passing Kachia.

"My contact called to tell me about the kidnap. He was told by an eyewitness, a driver in his neighbourhood, who said that he narrowly escaped being kidnapped but that the RCCG members' bus must have been apprehended because they were following him. 

"To confirm the story, shortly after my contact called me, a sister, who is a member of the Middle Belt Prayer Group, informed me that members of her church ( the RCCG) were kidnapped this evening on their way to Southern Kaduna. So let us commit them to God in prayers for their release. Pray that God intervenes in His way."

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

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Jehovah Witnesses To Mark Lord's Meal, Jesus's Death Worldwide

Jehovah Witnesses' congregations worldwide will be commemorating the Lord's Evening Meal, a prelude to the death of Jesus Christ today.

The Witnesses said in a statement that the Lord's Meal, which is considered to be the most important event of the year on the calendar, would feature a worldwide campaign to invite as many as possible through letter writing, telephone calls and other virtual means.

It was learnt that the event would be held after sundown, and anyone interested in attending can contact the Jehovah's Witnesses' assembly for the meeting time and login Zoom information.

The statement partly reads, "Jehovah's Witnesses and friends the world over will commemorate the Lord's Evening Meal on March 27, 2021. This is the second year in a row that the Witnesses celebrate the event virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"In what is considered to be the most important event of the year on their calendar, Jehovah's Witnesses have recently embarked on a worldwide campaign to invite as many as possible, through letter writing, telephone calls and other virtual means.

"As the impact from the COVID-19 pandemic continues, Jehovah's Witnesses acknowledge their responsibility to contribute to their members' health and welfare as well as all in the community by adjusting their door-to-door public ministry and congregation meetings to virtual platforms. 

"This worldwide event will be held locally via Zoom video conferencing. Congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses in Nigeria have organized to celebrate this annual event on the night of Saturday, March 27.

"For more information on this occasion and how to attend this meeting, go to Jehovah's Witnesses' official website.No contributions are solicited, and no registration is required."

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

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Why Soldiers Embarked On Protest In North-East – Army Reacts

The Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja, on Friday, stated that its soldiers attached to the Mobile Strike Team on Exercise Tura Takaibango in the North-East embarked on "complaints" about the obsolete weapons they were using and raised some other concerns which were addressed by the authorities.

However, the Nigerian Army, which was silent on the type of concerns, claimed the soldiers did not go on rampage over the issue of non-payment of allowances.


File Photo

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig-Gen Mohammed Yerima, stated in a statement that the soldiers had a right to raise questions about obsolete weapons, adding that the Federal Government was making efforts to deploy more fighting equipment to what the military had presently in the North-East.

NaijaGistReporters had on Friday reported that aggrieved soldiers at the Maimalari barracks besieged the headquarters of the Theatre Command in Borno State, shooting sporadically into the air on Thursday night following their redeployment.

They were also said to have protested about their unpaid allowances and the poor weapons they were given to combat Boko Haram and other insurgents.

But reacting, the army spokesman, Yerima, stated that although the soldiers raised some concerns, they were not based on the alleged 

He said, "Reports claimed that the aggrieved soldiers besieged the headquarters of the Theatre Command in Borno State, shooting sporadically into the air to protest over alleged unpaid Operational allowances as well as obsolete equipment.

"Preliminary investigations by Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Farouq Yahaya, revealed that what is described as a protest were mild complaints by few soldiers of the Mobile Strike Team deployed for Exercise Tura Takaibango in the frontline of operations. 

"At about 3pm on March 25, some of the troops of Mobile Strike Teams 10 and 11, who were primed to conduct Phase 2 of Exercise TURA TAKAIBANGO in Bama after the first phase of the exercise, raised some concerns which were quickly addressed before they were re-launched to the second phase of the operations.  

"On the issue of obsolete weapons as reported in some media, Army Headquarters' position is that soldiers have the right to demand proper weapons to prosecute the operations. However, the Federal Government is making concerted efforts toward deploying new fighting equipment to augment the existing ones in the theatre of operation.

"The Army also wishes to deny the report that any soldier was owed any operational allowances. No soldier is owed any Allowance in the Theatre."

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

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