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Showing posts with label News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label News. Show all posts

Saturday, June 19, 2021

Place N100million Bounty On Fulani Herdsmen, Bandits, Not On Nnamdi Kanu – Ohanaeze Tells Northern Groups

The Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze, has criticized a coalition of Northern groups for placing a bounty on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The Ohanaeze Publicity Secretary, Alex Ogboannaya, stated this in an interview with Punch, adding that the northern groups should instead place a bounty on their ravaging Fulani herdsmen and bandits as well as the Boko Haram.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo

It will be recalled that a coalition of 75 northern groups, under the aegis of the Northern Consensus Movement, had on Thursday placed a bounty of N100million for anybody who could provide information on Kanu’s whereabouts and assist his arrest by law enforcement agencies.

Ogbonnaya said, “I congratulate the Northern Coalition Movement for thinking about Nigeria, but if they want to be fair, they should place N100m bounty on the heads of leaders of Boko Haram, Fulani Herdsmen, ISWAP, and other non-state actors, who are known to be terrorists. As you know, Ohanaeze does not agree that the Indigenous People of Biafra is a terrorist group.

“Nnamdi Kanu is not the issue here. There is a major issue of selective justice when you focus on one and leave another.

“Igbos all over have been complaining of injustice. No matter the millions of dollars placed on Nnamdi Kanu, it cannot stop agitation from the South-East.”

He blamed the issue of agitations on the deficiencies of the President, Muhammadu Buhari.

He said when all the appointments are being manned by one section, that does not show federal character.

“What the region needs are justice and peaceful dialogue with the Federal Government. If this is done, all these issues of agitations and secession coming from the region will cease.

“Our advice to the NCM is to direct their agitations to the appropriate authorities,” he added.

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

EXPOSED: After Taking N1million Bribe, Inspector General of Police Team In Abuja Releases South-East Youths Framed For Being ESN Members

The Inspector-General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been collecting at least an N1million bribes as bail before releasing South-East youths and artisans raided as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s Eastern Security Network.

SaharaReporters learnt from the families of the victims, who did not want their names in print to avoid police victimisation, that they paid the huge sums through their nose before securing the release of their relations.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP)

SaharaReporters gathered that the victims were raided in the South-East and brought to detention at the IGP’S IRT office in Abuja.

“The Investigating Police Officer at the IRT's team holding them is one Inspector Daniel. They were five in number taken to the IRT office, formerly called Abattoir.

“We paid about N1million to secure (one of the victims). He was released in June by the police in Abuja,” a family member said.

“Another victim, Daberechi Alozie, was freed on Friday night. His guardian, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Imo State civil service, secured his release. He paid a huge sum too,” a source added.

SaharaReporters learnt that the fourth victim, Chinonso John, a barber, was also released after the police in Abuja collected N1.5million.

A family source said, “Our elder brother, Emma, went to Abuja and met the IPO last week to bargain with the IPO. He was told to go and look for N1.5million and after pleading, the IPO reduced it to N1.3million. The guy pleaded again to pay N1million but the IPO refused.

“So he came back to look for the money, including borrowing. He met with the IPO on Thursday, On Friday morning, the money was withdrawn in cash. It has been taken to the IPO.”

SaharaReporters learnt that another victim at the police IRT was Chukwudi Okoro, a Shuttle Bus owner whose wife is heavily pregnant.

“By the end of today, he is likely to be left there as the only person remaining among the five because he can't afford the N1million bribe. I just got information that the IPO has collected truly collected N1million and released Chinonso John. Unfortunately, there are many IPOs at the police team milking the innocent victims. They have turned them to cash cows. The police authorities know very well about this mess,” the source added.

SaharaReporters had on June 14 reported that one Casmir Ibegbulem, an oil worker who was arrested and detained, also was taken to Abuja and N10million was demanded as his bail.

Ibegbulem, who was labelled and paraded as an ESN member, had done an audio confession, saying he had returned to Imo State for the burial of his in-law, which was to take place on May 28 but was raided in Owerri on May 25 when he came to pick up some personal items needed for the burial.

He had been whisked away to Abuja and later paid N1.5million before his release from custody.

Corruption Police News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

Nigeria Set To Begin Trial of 800 Suspected Boko Haram Terrorists

The Nigerian government is set to commence the trial of 800 suspected members of the terrorist sect group, Boko Haram. 

The Deputy Director, Prosecution and Head of Complex Casework Group, Federal Ministry of Justice, Chioma Onuegbu, stated this in Abuja during a media engagement on networking for justice and accountability. 

She added that out of 1,000 case files reviewed, 280 had been filed at the Federal High Court, while 170 were recommended for release for lack of evidence.

Onuegbu also said the charges had been served on the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, who would be defending the suspects in court.

"The military is making efforts to move the inmates, whose charges were ready to a safe location before the commencement of their trial," she added. 

Boko Haram News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

Nigerian Military Rescues 800 Cows During Operation To Free Abducted Kebbi School Pupils

The Nigerian Army has confirmed rescuing 800 cows during its operation to rescue the kidnapped students and teachers of the Federal Government College, Birnin Yawuri, Kebbi State. 

The pupils were abducted on June 17 but the military said two teachers and five students were rescued on Friday after a fierce exchange of fire with the criminals. 

File photo used to illustrate story.

In a statement on Friday, the Army Spokesman, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, said troops operating under the auspices of Operation Hadarin Daji who had been on the pursuit of kidnappers and bandits engaged in the rescue mission.

He said the rescue followed an initial encounter with the abductors in the early hours of today, June 18 2021, after trailing the kidnappers from Yawuri through Riyao to Sombo community, where the kidnappers who had split into two groups fled, with one group conveying the abducted children, while the second group conveyed the rustled cattle.

Nwachukwu added that the land troops, in conjunction with the Nigerian Air Force elements, who provided close air support during the rescue mission, intercepted the two groups at about 2.30 am and engaged them in a firefight. 

He said, "The troops also recovered 800 cattle rustled by the bandits. However, the gallant troops are still on the kidnappers' heels to rescue the remaining abductees still in captivity. 

"Sadly, a casualty was recorded during the exchange. A female student was found to have given up the ghost as a result of exhaustion. 

"The rescued teachers and students will be handed over to the Kebbi State Government. The Nigerian Army appreciates the cooperation so far from good-spirited citizens and wishes to solicit more.

"The Chief of the Army Staff, Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya, has directed the Commander to spare no effort until all the abducted persons are safely rescued and reunited with their loved ones."

Military News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 

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

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 

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

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

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

READ MORE:  News

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 

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

READ MORE: Oil 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

READ MORE: Christianity News Insecurity Breaking News News 

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

READ MORE : Christianity News 

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

READ MORE: Politics News Military News 

Friday, March 26, 2021

Bayelsa Community Chairman, Two Others Assault Student Over Fictional Story 'Insulting' Community

Robert Oru, the Chairman of Community Development Committee Otuoke, in Bayelsa State, has assaulted a student of the Federal University Otuoke, Nezie Obi for writing a fictional story which allegedly insulted the community.

According to reports, the chairman, alongside two members of the community, Richard Milliow and Imo Sunday, flogged the student for writing about his relationship with a lady and insulting the community.

It was further learnt that the people who took part in the flogging were angered by the fact that the student from Anambra state, in his story referred to Otuoke as a small place.

The student was also said to have described the water in the community as having the colour of Fanta, Ninja mosquitos and sun too hot for the skin.

Counsel for the victim, led by Ebi Robert, took up the matter and petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State command.

Robert also filed a case for the enforcement of the student's fundamental rights.

However, instead of the Otuoke community to play a neutral role, they wrote a letter to the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Otueke, asking the school to rusticate Obi from the school.

This letter was written by the community, represented by the King HRH King Paul Ariwareni Engoye CNA (JP) (Oke-De XI), the Obanema of Otuoke, through a law firm. 

The trio were found guilty for moving a motion that led to the violation of the fundamental human right of Obi.

The Bayelsa State High Court, Ogbia Judicial Division, awarded N600,000 in aggravated damages against Oru, Millow and Sunday for violating the fundamental human rights of Obi. 

The presiding judge, Justice Raphael Ajuwa while delivering his judgement said “this court is awarding a cost of N500,000 against Nezie’s violators, and N100,000 for the cost of litigation totalling N600,000."

Reacting to the judgment on Thursday, Ebi Robert applauded the student for standing up to his right despite a series of intimidation and threats. 

He said: "On hearing the matter, we took up the case and petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State command, and also filed a case for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

"I am particularly happy as a young lawyer because judgments like this show that our efforts are not in vain as human rights activists. It gives us the courage that the judiciary is indeed the last hope of the common man.

"I thank God for the victory in court today. Nezie Obi, for me, is the hero, he stood up for his right despite all the threats and intimidation. Students must understand that they have rights which are protected by law, and they should not be too careful to enforce them when the need arises."

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: News 

UPDATE: Bandits Who Met With Sheikh Gumi, Niger SSG, Matane Kill 50 Vigilante Members

At least 50 bodies of dead vigilante members have been recovered by soldiers and residents of Koton Kobo in the Mariga Local Government Area of Niger state, sources told NaijaGistReporters on Friday.

The vigilantes were said to be returning from a search operation when they were ambushed by the Dogo Gide-led banditry group operating in Dutsen Magaji forest near Koton Kobo community.

Recall that Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane and security operatives had in February met with Gide and his gang members few days after 42 persons, including students and staff members of Government Science College in Kagara were abducted.

“Contrary to media report, Gumi did not go to any forest between Tegina in Rafi LGA and Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State in February. He met with bandits operating in Dutsen Magaji forest near Koton Kobo community in Mariga LGA and their leader is Dogo Gide, a former deputy to notorious armed bandit in Zamfara state‎, Buhari Tsoho, aka Buharin Daji. From Dutsen Magaji to Tegina is over 200 km.

“Gide is so powerful in that area that he collects monthly taxes from farmers and herdsmen. The recent attack was also carried out by him. After killing them (vigilantes), he refused to grant access to pick their bodies until soldiers stormed the forest on Thursday to collect the bodies. About 25 bodies have been recovered so far,” a military source had told NaijaGistReporters earlier on Friday.

The source added that the gunmen also attacked a military post in the community, killing a soldier. 

Speaking to NaijaGistReporters, a resident of the area said over 50 bodies have been recovered.

He said a reinforcement team sent to rescue men of the vigilante group that were abducted also ran into an ambush and were killed the same way their colleagues were massacred.

“As at this evening, we have recovered over 50 bodies, it’s so sad. A soldier was also killed,” he told SaharaReporters later on Friday.

Vigilante groups have been formed across Niger to combat insecurity in the state.
On February 17, 27 students, three staff members and 12 members of their families were abducted when gunmen stormed Government Science Secondary School in Kagara.

While one of the students, Benjamin Doma, who tried to escape was gunned down, a member of staff luckily broke loose from captivity.

The armed men were said to have invaded the school around 3 am.

The attackers were reportedly dressed in military uniforms in what looked like a premeditated attack.

The incident happened barely three days after 21 passengers heading to Minna, capital of Niger state, were abducted in broad daylight by gunmen.

The students were released after spending 10 days in captivity.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Insecurity News 

Father Of One Of Abducted Kaduna Students, Ibrahim Shamaki Dies Of Worsened Health Situation

Alhaji Ibrahim Shamaki, father of Fatima Ibrahim, one of the abducted students of Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation, Bando, Kaduna State, has died.

Shamaki died on Friday at his residence at Badawara, Kaduna State.


A photo combination of late Ibrahim Shamaki and his daughter, Fatima.

His tragic death was as a result of his deterioriating health resulting from the abduction of his daughter.

The news of his death was announced by a human rights activist and lawyer, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, on his Twitter page.

Fatima was among 39 students kidnapped by suspected armed bandits at Afaka on March 11, 2021.

Some heavily armed bandits invaded the college that Thursday evening around 9:30 pm, shooting indiscriminately before abducting the students of the institution.

The Kaduna college was reported to have some 300 male and female students, mostly aged 17 and older, at the time of the deadly assault. 


Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security in the state confirmed that 39 students were missing following the attack.

"Further checks in the wake of the attack by armed bandits … indicate that 39 students are currently unaccounted for, including 23 females and 16 males,” Aruwan said in a statement.

Aruwan said the state government "is maintaining close communication with the management of the college as efforts are sustained by security agencies toward the tracking of the missing students."

Two weeks after the attack, the Nigerian government and Kaduna State have failed to rescue the students from the den of their abductors. Fatima, being one of the victims was the main hope of her father as tweeted by Odinkalu.

The former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission tweeted, “Earlier today, I am saddened to report, Alhaji Ibrahim Shamaki died. He is the father of Fatima Ibrahim, 1 of the abducted #Afaka39. Alhaji Shamaki lived in Badarawa, Kaduna. His health had worsened dramatically since Fatima, his primary hope, was kidnapped.” 

He went further to say, “The conduct of government in this case of the #Afaka39 could lead many who look at these issues to conclude - rightly or wrongly - that reason the government doesn't seem to make a priority to #BringBackAfaka39 is because they don't sound like they belong to a favoured demographic. Sadly....”

While condemning the apathetic attitudes of the authorities, he queried how the military structures in that geographical environment the college located could not have averted the attack.

“This story shd begin with a geography lesson: the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Mando is located in the middle of military installations, including HQ of 1 Div of @HQNigerianArmy; @HQ_NDA; Command & Staff College, Jaji & @NigeriaAirforcebase.

“This geography lesson is important so that folks get a grasp of how deep or serious this is: the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization is located basically in a military garrison. How does a #MassAbduction take place in such a location without the military....?

"The morning after the abductions, @contactkdsg put out a statement claiming making some factual claims about what happened around the abductions. They claimed the military had rescued most of the abductees too. All that was false. #BringBackTheAfaka39.”

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: Insecurity News 

Fake COVID-19 Vaccines Sold Online, Interpol Warns

The International Criminal Police Organisation, INTERPOL, has warned against the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines online.

In a statement published on its website, the organisation said such products do not protect against COVID-19.

File photo used to illustrate story.

It added that members of the public that purchase such fake vaccines are at risk of serious health hazards.

The statement read: “With criminal groups producing, distributing and selling fake vaccines, the risks to the public are clear: these can include buying a product which not only does not protect against COVID-19, but poses a serious health hazard if ingested or injected. Such products are not tested, regulated or safety-checked.

“Legitimate vaccines are not for sale. They are strictly administered and distributed by national healthcare regulators.

“Anyone buying these products online also runs the risk of potentially giving their money to organised criminals.”

The Secretary-General of the organisation, Jürgen Stock, said since the beginning of the pandemic, criminals have preyed on the fears of unsuspecting members of the public to make quick cash.

Stock said, “From the very beginning of the pandemic, criminals have preyed on people’s fears in order to make fast cash. Fake vaccines are the latest in these scams, which is why INTERPOL and HSI are warning the public to be extra vigilant.

“Anyone ordering a vaccine online rather than obtaining it from their national provider will be buying a fake product.

“The networks behind these crimes have global ambitions. No country or region can fight this type of crime alone. INTERPOL is assisting law enforcement around the world to both identify criminal networks and to dismantle them.”

In December 2020, INTERPOL raised the alarm on the plan of the criminal gangs to produce and sell fake COVID-19 vaccines.

SOURCE: NAIJAGISTREPORTERS

READ MORE: PUBLIC HEALTH News