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Katsina Gov Radda Seeks Partnership With Military To End Banditry

By
Ayodele Oni
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Umar Dikko Radda - Governor of Katstina State

By Ayodele Oni

Following Presidential directive to Security Chiefs to relocate to the Northern part of the country, the Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), Gen Christopher Musa has arrived Katsina State.

While receiving him, Katsina state Governor, Dr Dikko Umaru Rada has assured the Chief of Defence Staff,   (CDS), General Christopher Musa of State Government continuous support and partnership with the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) towards the fight against banditry and insecurity.

Governor Radda gave this assurance when the CDS,  paid a visit to Katsina State to assess the operational readiness to address security challenges.

He thanked the CDS for coming to assess security situation in the state with the aim of providing a lasting solution.

Radda said the government is sensitizing people on the need to cooperate with Armed Forces and other security agencies.

The Governor also assured that the State will continue to demand more, while appealing for increased security presence in the southern part of Katsina state.

In his response, General Musa thanked the Governor for his enormous support to the AFN and for providing a conducive atmosphere for troops to operate.

He also commended the governor’s commitment and developmental stride in the state. The CDS informed the governor that he was in Katsina on the order of the president to asses Joint Operation Areas.

General Musa further called on the people of the state to cooperate fully with the military and other security agencies in Katsina.

According to him, “security is everybody’s responsibility”. All must come to together to ensure security challenges are addressed.”

Lagos Moves To Checkmate Rising Costs Of Food Items In The Market

By
James Orji
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Food Stuffs in the Market

The Lagos state government has made a move to control the distribution and prices of food items in the state. This is necessary, to ensure that consumers are not ripped up by Shylock food sellers.

The state said it’s surprising that for prices have continued to hit the rooftops despite the support the state government has been extending to farmers.

This is coming amidst frustration among not a few Nigerians of the high cost of food in the market which has affected the daily lifestyles on many families in the country.

Many Nigerians recently protested across the country under the #Endbadgovernance for 10 days, to draw government’s attention to their hardship and sufferings due to the high cost of basic commodities in the market.

According to the state’s commissioner of Agriculture, Bisola Olusanya “going forward” the Babajide Sanwo-olu administration wants to ensure that the support it’s providing for farmers in the state is also reflected in the prices of food items.

Olusanya made this known on Wednesday while representing Governor Sanwo -olu at the 2024, “LCCI Agric Symposium and Fair.”

She noted that profiteers in the food chain distribution are frustrating governments efforts to ensure that food prices are brought down, adding that the government will now try to ensure that “the average Lagosians and Nigerians can see the impact” of government supports for the agricultural sector from how much they pay when the food items get to the market.

She said, : “Going forward, government has said any support to any farmer has to be with an agreement that we must understand your trail to the market for us to be able to say that ‘yes we supported you with this based on this amount and this is the price you are going to sell in the market.

“The federal, state and local governments invest so much in food production. But we do not follow our investments to the markets.

“What I mean is that we give farmers inputs and we give processors support but we do not follow the products to the markets to ensure that the prices at which these items are being sold are reasonable for average Nigerian.

“We leave the dynamic of pricing to market arbitragers and those who will play at the margins and at the end of the day we say that ‘prices of foods are too high.

“We must ensure that with all of our supports, the average Lagosians and Nigerians can see the impact. The average Nigerian out there does not understand that you gave someone a bag of fertilizer, seeds and pesticides.

“The only thing Nigerians wants to hear is that the price of foodstuff is now at this low price,” she noted.

LP Chairmanship: Abure Ousted, As Former Jonathan Minister Nenadi Usman Emerges Interim National Chairman

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Esther Nenadi Usman and Julius Abure

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Rising from its expanded stakeholders meeting in Umuahia on Wednesday September 4, 2024, the Labour Party, LP, appointed erstwhile Minister for Finance, Esther Nenadi Usman, as the Head of its National  Caretaker Committee.

The Source reports that Governor Alex Otti of Abia state had, last week, convened the meeting  to resolve the issues that resulted from the party’s Nnewi Convention earlier in the year.

The Barrister Julius Abure- led National Working Committee, NWC, which was elected at the controversial Convention, boycotted by the Party’s major stakeholders, including Peter Obi, vehemently opposed the meeting.

Usman also represented Kaduna South Senatorial District in the Senate 2011 and 2015.

The immediate past Senator who represented Abia Central Darlington Nwokocha, was selected as the interim National Secretary.

The 29=member Caretaker Committee is to serve for a period of three months within which period it is expected to reposition the faltering party .

Primarily, the Interim Committee is to, within the period, organize a credible and all inclusive Convention for the election of a new National Executive Council, NEC.

Before then, the Committee will take steps to reconcile all aggrieved members, organize Ward ,Local and State Congresses.

Expectedly, Abure and most of his NWC members, in furtherance of their initial opposition, shunned the meeting, which also featured Datti Baba Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, and some members of the National Assembly caucus of the LP .

Instructively, the Party’s Gubernatorial Candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Vivour-Rohdes ,whose State chapter had publicly disowned the meeting as illegal, was conspicuously present.

However, it is not yet known what will be the next step of the ousted Abure led NWC.

Fuel Price Hike: President Tinubu Assaults Sensibility Of Nigerians – PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu - President
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the fuel price Hike of about N1,000, describing it as a brutal assault on the sensibility of Nigerians.

The opposition party was of the view that the current hike in fuel price is an indication that President Bola Tinubu, and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) have lost relevance in governance.

A statement on Wednesday by Debo Ologunagba, spokesman for the PDP noted that “The thoughtless increase in fuel price especially at this time, is a huge recipe for crisis as Nigerians cannot bear its worsening effect on the suffocating economic hardship, which they currently face under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC administration.

“The secretive and corrupt administration of the petroleum sector and persistent increase in fuel price under the Tinubu-administration, without due regard to the wellbeing of the people, is akin to pushing Nigerians to the wall and daring them to do their worse.

“The APC administration has consistently shown itself to be anti-people, unconcerned and deaf to the agonies of millions of Nigerians who can no longer afford their daily meals, medications and basic support for families due to the catastrophic high cost of living occasioned by the insensitive and reckless policies of the Tinubu administration.

“Today, under the Tinubu-led APC administration over 150 million Nigerians have sunk below poverty line, businesses are collapsing daily as the Naira now exchange for over N1,600 to a Dollar with over 34% inflation rate and over 40% unemployment rate which are expected to rise further with the latest draconian increase in the price of fuel.

“There is practically no hope in sight under the current APC government policies as major multi-national companies continue to exit our country in droves in the face of ill-conceived and ill-implemented macro-economic policies.

“The admission by the APC-led Federal Government that it has handed the fate of Nigerians to oil racketeers in the name of free market economy further validates the position of the PDP that the Tinubu-led administration has abdicated the primary purpose of government; which is to provide for the welfare and security of the citizens.

“President Tinubu is the Minister of Petroleum Resources and cannot exonerate his government and officials from the secretive and fraudulent management of the petroleum sector which is fast pushing our nation’s economy to the precipice.

“Moreover, it is inexplicable that the APC administration continues to increase fuel price despite the scandalous revelation in the public domain that it is secretly paying a whopping N5.4 trillion as fuel subsidy for 2024

“The APC government has now become an enabler of a cabal of corrupt APC rent-seekers who apparently derive pleasure in inflicting pains on Nigerians while hugely benefiting from the proceeds of incessant increase in fuel price to satisfy and fund their luxury appetite and consumption.”

NLC: Presidential Aide Lied, We Stand By Our Statement

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Bola Tinubu and Joe Ajaero

By Adesina Soyooye

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has taken a swipe at one of President Bola Tinubu’s Media Aides, Abdulaziz Abdulaziz.

Abdulaziz had, on Wednesday, faulted Labour’s stand on the sudden fuel price hike. The Federal Government had, in an unexpected move, hiked the fuel price to  N900, almost, per litter, and that, in the middle of an excruciating fuel scarcity that has turned lives inside out, upside down.

In reaction to the hike, NLC said Mr President has betrayed Labour. In a statement issued by its President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, the NLC bemoaned the suffering of the masses, and asked the Federal Government to revert. The statement pointed out that the NLC agreed to the N70,000 minimum wage offered by the President, on the condition that there will not be another hike in fuel price. It accused the Federal Government of betraying Labour by reneging on his promise during the meeting with him.

But Abdulaziz, in a swift response, said there was no such discussion between Mr President and Labour Leaders, and, therefore, no such promise to the NLC.

Proof: Abdulaziz said he was present at both meetings the NLC held with Mr President.

Miffed, the NLC, in a statement signed its Head of Information and Public Affairs, Benson Upah, on Wednesday, literally dismissed Abdulaziz as a liar who is suffering from selective amnesia. It recounted how, and why, the Congress agreed to the N70,000 minimum wage offered by the President and said it stands by its statement which denounced Tuesday’s hike in fuel price. It insisted on an immediate reversal to the old price.

Following, the NLC statement, the second within 24 hours.

WE STAND BY OUR STATEMENT

“Our attention has been drawn to the denial  credited to the Senior Special Assistant to Mr President on the  Print Media, Mr Abdulaziz Abdulaziz.

“In the said statement, Abdulaziz was quoted as saying:

‘I sat through the two meetings President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had with Labour leaders on minimum wage.  At neither of the meetings was an offer made in exchange of fuel price hike. Ajaero is once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians’.

“We  find amusing the denial of Abdulaziz. We have since asked ourselves if he is suffering from selective amnesia or attention span deficit.

“However, not satisfied with his dubious denial, he elected to take a side dig at Comrade Joe Ajaero as ‘…once again playing his dirty politics with the emotions of Nigerians’.

“Whatever the matter is with Abdulaziz, we stand by our statement. And if Abdulaziz was at those meetings  as he claimed, he should be courageous enough to let the  world know whether the President gave the labour leaders one hour to meet and resolve  to either   accept and allow increase or accept N62,000.

“Labour leaders instead chose to meet outside the Villa and report in a week. When they came back, they were blunt and rejected the offer.

“As for Abdulaziz’s side-dig, he should stop insulting the intelligence of Nigerians as they do not need Comrade Joe Ajaero to know they have been taken for a ride and that life has never been this mean, all due to the policies of government.

“We also find it necessary to let Abdulaziz and those who sent him know that Nigerians are entitled to a decent, respectable life free from harassment, intimidation and starvation.

“Government  may have all the ultimate weapons of coercion, true power resides with the people.

“Finally, we are also acutely conscious of the fact that falsehood does not live forever.

“Benson Upah

Head of Information and Public Affairs”

The new fuel price hike has attracted strong condemnation from a good number of people from all walks of life.

Fuel Price Hike: NANS Divided Over Planned Nationwide Protest, Issue Counter Directive

By
Ayodele Oni
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Akinteye Afeez

By Ayodele Oni

The National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS) has issued a notification of a planned massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective from September 15, 2024.

The students body said the protest is in response to the recent fuel price hike and the perceived incompetence of the NNPC Director General, Mele Kyari.

The union, in a statement on Wednesday, equally demanded an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Kyari as the NNPC DG.

The notice was signed by Okunomo Henry Adewumi, President of the Senate (NANS).

In another counter statement, signed by NANS Senate president, Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, stated that the leadership of NANs was not aware of any planned nationwide protest.

Afeez statement reads “The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has denounced claims that it is planning a massive shutdown of major cities across the nation through protest.

“In a statement, NANS Senate president, Comr Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, noted that the student association did not announce or endorse such, hence, rumours circulating to that effect are baseless and do not reflect the position or intentions of NANS.

“It called on security agencies to act decisively in apprehending any individuals or groups attempting to use the name of NANS to incite unrest or disrupt the peace of the nation.”

According to the notice, issued by NANs president Okunomo, the students plan to occupy all major cities in the country on September 15, 2024.

The notice assured that the protest will be peaceful and lawful.

“We write to notify you of an impending massive shutdown of all major cities in Nigeria, effective 15th September 2024, in protest of the recent hike in fuel prices and the gross incompetence of the NPC Director General, Mele Kyari.

“The incessant increase in fuel prices has brought untold hardship to the masses, and we can no longer stand idly by while our future is mortgaged by the actions of a few.

“We demand an immediate reversal of the fuel price hike and the removal of Mr. Kyari as the NNPC DG.

“We call on all Nigerian students across the country to wake up to this clarion call, as we will be occupying all major cities on the 15th of September, 2024.

“We shall not be silenced, and we shall not be intimidated. We shall rise in unison to demand a better deal for Nigerian students and the masses.

“We urge you to take necessary measures to maintain law and order during the shutdown, as we assure you that our protest will be peaceful and lawful.”

Northern Governors Flay, Lament Attack On Yobe Community

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Muhammad Yahaya Inuwa of Gombe State

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has condemned the tragic loss of numerous lives in Mafa, Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Governor Yahaya decried the heinous attack, describing it as a senseless act of violence that has caused untold grief to the affected families and communities.

Heavily armed insurgents reportedly attacked Mafa on Sunday, killing 34 residents and setting ablaze shops and houses in the village.

While commending the security forces for their continued efforts against the remnants of the degraded criminals, the governor emphasized the urgent need  to intensify efforts in tracking down and apprehending those responsible for this atrocity, as well as others across different regions.

“This brutal act must not go unpunished. I call on security agencies to double their efforts and ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.”

The NSGF Chairman reaffirmed commitment of the northern governors to supporting efforts aimed at restoring peace and security in the region, stressing the importance of collective action to prevent such tragedies from recurring.

He extended  sympathies to the bereaved families and the government of Yobe State and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

Afunanya, DSS Spokesperson, Redeployed To Ogun As State Director

By
Ayodele Oni
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Peter Afunaya - DSS

By Ayodele Oni

A major reorganization within the rank and file of the Department Of State Services, DSS, has started with the redeployment of Dr. Peter Afunanya,  Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications.

Afunanya’s new position is: State Director, Ogun State.

President Bola Tinubu had last week appointed a new Director General, Ademola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for the DSS.

On assumption of duty, Ajayi pledged to refocus the Service towards covertness and study silence.

The new DG also pledged commitment to surmounting challenges confronting Nigeria’s economic, political, and security environments

Afunanya disclosed his redeployment to reporters at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, but did not say where his next deployment would be.

But this Magazine’s investigation pinpointed State Director Ogun State as his next office.

Dr Afunanya expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve the country as the spokesman of the covert security outfit in the past 10 years.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the Service and the Country as he pledged to always do his best in whatever capacity he is chosen to serve.

He said he would continue to carry out his duty in service to the country with “love, loyalty, honour, and glory.”

In A Dusk Operation, Gunmen Kill Two, Raze Vehicles, In Imo Local Government Headquarters

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Gunmen - Kidnappers

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Imo State Police  Command has assured that efforts are ongoing to track down the suspected perpetrators of the heinous attack on the Headquarters of Isiala-Mbano Local Council of the State.

The attack which was launched on Tuesday night, September 3, 2024 ,by some gunmen, resulted in the killing of two security guards attached to the Council Headquarters.

The attackers also set ablaze several structures and vehicles within the Local Council premises.

The gunmen, according to some eye witness accounts, stormed the Local Government Secretariat at about between 8.30pm and 9.00 pm and started shooting indiscriminately. At end, two of the Security Personnel guarding the Council were shot dead.

“The attackers, also, caused extensive damage, torching vehicles and parts of the Council headquarters.” a witness volunteered.

The sporadic shootings by the gunmen

were said to have forced locals of nearby communities to flee their homes out of fear of being caught in-between the mayhem.

As at the time of reporting, it was not yet clear as to who were responsible for the attack.

The Source reports that the attack ,however, came just hours after a similar one on the Oba Divisional Police formation in Idemili South Local Government Anambra state  on Tuesday morning.

The Anambra State Police Command has since blamed members of the Simon Ekpa-led Autopilots, a faction of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra, IPOB, for the attack .

For one, the Ekpa led faction of the IPOB had declared a one month rebellion against the South East Governments, beginning from August 28,2024.

The Isiala-Mbano Imo state Tuesday attack is, also, believed strongly by security agencies as having the imprimatur of the Ekpa-led Autopilots militia.

Henry Okoye, the Imo state Command spokesperson, while confirming the attack, however promised that  the attackers will soon be fished out.

“The Command is working tirelessly to apprehend those behind this heinous act “he noted.

The Command, also, urged residents of the state to remain calm and law abiding as the service, in concert with other security agencies will  always ensure the protection of lives and properties of the  people.

Love Affair Turns Sour In Ondo As Hunter Shoots Rival

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ajegba Joseph

By Ayodele Oni

It was a case of a pot calling kettle black when a 38 years old hunter in Ondo state, Ajegba Joseph shot at his rival at their female partner’s house in Akure.

He is now a guest of Ondo State Police Command following his arrest and subsequent detention.

He was among suspects paraded in Akure by the State Police Command on Tuesday.

The commissioner of police, Abayomi Oladipo stated that the hunter who is having an affair with a woman, a divorcee, went to visit her on the fateful day.

“On the 23rd of August, 2024 at about 2300hrs, a case of Attempted Murder was reported to the Police, the victim went to his friend who is a divorcee in her house.

“One, Ajegba Joseph ‘m’, an hunter aged 38 years who is also having an affair with the woman went to visit her on the same day in possession of an unlicensed single barrel gun.

“However, upon sighting the victim with the woman in bed, the suspect shot the victim through the window side.

“The suspect was arrested and the barrel gun recovered with an expended cartridge, while the victim rescued by the Police is currently recuperating at the hospital.”

Also paraded was 17-year-old Philip Emmanuel, a domestic staff of an Akure based caterer who allegedly participated in her killing.

According to him, “On the afternoon of July 28, 2024, officers at the Oda Division police Headquarters received an unsettling report.

“A foul odor had been noticed coming from the apartment of Mrs. Adene Iyabode Deborah, a well-known caterer who had not been seen in days.

“Officers rushed to the scene, where they discovered a grim sight—the mutilated body of Mrs. Deborah on her bed. Nearby, a blood-stained machete and a mobile phone hinted at the violence that had taken place.

“This tragic incident was quickly escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Through painstaking investigative works and technical intelligence, our officers arrested 17-year-old Philip Emmanuel, a trusted employee of the deceased.

“In a shocking confession, Emmanuel revealed that he had conspired with Mrs. Deborah’s driver to kill her. The driver, eager to start a “yahoo” business, suggested they steal her ATM card, having overheard that a large sum of money was soon to be deposited into her account.

“On July 25, 2024, Emmanuel and the driver carried out their horrific plan. After lurking around till the unsuspecting woman fell asleep, they brutally attacked her, stole her ATM card, and withdrew a total of Sixty Thousand Naira (₦60,000). The driver remains at large, and efforts to apprehend him are ongoing.”

Others paraded include armed robbery suspects, a receiver of stolen items, a female suspect that produces fake vehicle particulars,

As member of Neo Black Movement (Aiye Confraternity) that specializes in motorcycle theft, and those with unlawful possession of firearms.

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