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Murder At ABSU As Rival Cult Guns Down Final Year Student, Tension Rises

March 11, 2024

The Abia State University community and its host town of Uturu and environs were early morning Monday March 11 2024 enveloped by grief, tension and palpable anxiety following the gruesome murder of one of the institution’s students, Emmanuel Uche ,allegedly by members of a rival cult group.

.The victim, a final year student of History and International Relations, according to close sources, had, before now, been evading his traducers, who were said to be hot on his heels.

However, he was said to have ran out of luck early Monday morning, when some gun welding boys ,believed to be members of a rival cult group on an alleged revenge mission ,stormed his Miracle Lodge on Uturu/ Isukwuato Road ,close to the University campus and brutally shot him dead .

The Source gathered that Uche’s death came, barely few weeks to his graduation, having successfully evaded his attackers to round off his examinations.

As at the time of reporting, his corpse was yet to be evacuated from the scene of the incident (Miracle Students Lodge),while the ABSU authorities were yet to respond officially.

Meanwhile ,fears of a possible reprisal attacks by the deceased’s cult group ,have continued to cause tension and anxiety within the university community ,with many students embarking on self imposed break to avoid being cut up in the expected cross fire.

But the University management is said to have taken steps to beef up security ,at least on the main campus.

PSC Chairman, Arase, Prays For Divine Blessing As Christians, Muslims Observe Lent, Ramadan Fast, Decorates PA

The Source

March 11, 2024

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase a retired Inspector General of Police, has extolled the uncommon qualities and commitment of his personal Assistant, Ukom Abam who was recently promoted from the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police to the substantive rank of Superintendent.

Dr. Arase said he is impressed with his commitment to work and general disposition to assisting him deliver on his mandate to take the Commission to the next level.

Dr. Arase spoke when he decorated his Personal Assistant with his new rank of Superintendent of Police. He charged him to be steadfast on his commitment to “our shared vision” stressing that his dedication to national duty will not go unnoticed.

Dr. Arase used the occasion to announce that the Commission will continue to ensure that promotions in the Nigeria Police Force must be defined, merit based and on seniority. He advised his aide to remain focused and continue to contribute his little quota to national security.

Dr. Arase has also prayed for divine blessings as Christians observe the Lent and Muslims the Ramadan fast.

He said Nigerians should continue to pray for a new Nigeria as there is need for ,”us to assist government deliver on its mandate. ,” it is a collective responsibility and Nigeria must rise again” he admonished. We have to support the government to succeed. It is a collective responsibility” he noted.

Imo: 20 Killed In Gun Battle With Security Operatives, Many Shallow Graves Discovered, Say The Military

The Source

March 11, 2024

By Charles Igbo

Major General Edward Buba, Director, Defence Media Operations has disclosed that a joint operation carried out in Imo State by Security Operatives resulted in the shooting to death of 20 people.

Buba who revealed the number of the dead in a statement on Sunday, said the operation was carried out by The Troop Operation Udo Ka in conjunction with other Security Agencies to clear out rogue elements from their hideouts and make the State safer than before.

The raid/clearance, he said, was carried in Mother Valley, Orsu LGA, Imo State.

He alleged that 50 of the hideouts cleared out belonged to the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, and its militant wing, Eastern Security Network, ESN.

However, it is a claim/allegation the IPOB/ESN has since denied, and insisted it had no such Camps. It said the Camps belonged to a group under Finland-based Simon Ekpa, IPOB’s estranged members.

Buba said cleared were “about 50 IPOB/ESN hideout tents in the valley, including terrorists’ Supreme Headquarters and their Command and Control Centre as well as its Military Council Headquarters.”

Cleared, also, according to him were “Buteuzor’s hideout/residence office, logistic base, temple, and shrine.”

On the state of the hudeouts, Buba said they were “concealed with foliage that afforded the criminals cover from air surveillance to prevent monitoring and detection.

“The Valley had sufficient power supply for the camps. The terrorists hibernated there, reared animals, and also owned farms to be self-sustaining to live and fight. During the operations, troops also encountered several command IEDs and ditches along the axis of the camp.

“All explosives were detonated and ditches were covered with excavators before reaching the camp.

The location was identified to be the supreme headquarters, command, and control centre as well as the Military Council Headquarters of IPOB/ESN.

“During the operations, troops made contact with terrorists. Following a firefight, troops neutralised 20 terrorists and recovered several quantities of assorted weapons such as G3 rifles, AK47 rifles, auto pump action guns, double barrel guns, locally made pistols, and RPG bombs.

Troops also recovered assorted ammunition which included 226 rounds of 7.62mm special ammo, 216 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 172 live cartridges, 4 AK47 magazines, and 3 G3 magazines, several quantities of IEDs (OGBUNIGWE), POS devices, baofeng radios, mobile phones, handheld IEDs, CCTV cameras, inverters, and batteries, Biafra flags and others.”

Buba said the Security Operatives destroyed “all camps, hideouts, and shrines in the location.”

More disturbing, however, was the revelation by Buba that the camps were littered with shallow graves indicative of Idol worshipping and ritual killings.”

It is speculated, strongly, that a number of missing persons are occupants of the shallow graves.

Super Eagles Set To Rekindle Rivalry With Ghana, Mali In Marrakech

Akinwale Kasali

March 11, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

2023 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, Runners-Up, the Super Eagles of Nigeria, will take on the Black Stars of Ghana and the Eagles of Mali in an International Friendly Match scheduled for 22nd March and 26th March in Marrakech, Morocco.

The Top Grade Friendly Matches is aimed at preparing the three-time AFCON Champion for their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa.

The clash with Ghana’s Black Stars which comes up on Friday, 22nd March, is bound to resurrect vintage memories of a 73-year rivalry involving the West African giants, dating back to October 1951 when Nigeria bounced then Gold Coast 5-0 in a Jalco Cup encounter in Lagos.

Most recently, the two teams clashed in March 2022 in a two-legged play-off for a place at that year’s FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar, with the Black Stars edging the fixture on the away-goal rule after a 1-1 aggregate.

Nigeria and Mali, both teams incidentally nicknamed ‘Eagles’, last clashed in a friendly match in Rouen, France in the summer of 2016. The encounter ended scoreless.

The Malian Eagles had, three years earlier, lost 1-4 to eventual winners Super Eagles in Durban in the semi-finals of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

While Nigeria and Ghana will resume their rivalry at the Grand Stade de Marrakech as from 4pm Morocco time on 22nd March, the encounter between Nigeria and Mali will commence at the same venue as from 9pm on Tuesday, 26th March.

Nigeria has retained the bulk of the squad that finished as runners-up at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, but have recalled England-based defender Jamilu Collins, as well as Empoli FC of Italy’s Tyronne Ebuehi and Glasgow Rangers’ forward Cyriel Dessers.

Midfield enforcer Wilfred Ndidi, who missed the continental houseparty in Cote d’Ivoire returns from injury, while Bayer Leverkusen of Germany’s Nathan Tella and Turkey-based Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have fresh opportunities to stake claims to permanent shirts.

England-based defender Gabriel Osho and Tanzania-based Benjamin Tianimu are teaming up with the group for the first time.

The invited players of the Two Matches are;

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Ojo Olorunleke (Enyimba FC)

Defenders: Gabriel Osho (Luton FC, England); Chidozie Awaziem (Boavista FC, Portugal); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Fenerbahce FC, Turkey); Tyronne Ebuehi (Empoli FC, Italy); Bruno Onyemaechi (Boavista FC, Portugal); Kenneth Omeruo (Kasimpasa FC, Turkey); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Jamilu Collins (Cardiff City, Wales); Benjamin Tianimu (Ihefu SC, Tanzania)

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi (Leicester City, England); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Alhassan Yusuf (Royal Antwerp FC, Belgium); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England)

Forwards: Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Victor Osimhen (SSC Napoli, Italy); Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City, England); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Moses Simon (FC Nantes, France); Ademola Lookman (Atalanta FC, Italy); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (Hatayspor, Turkey); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Cyriel Dessers (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland)

How Housewife Met Untimely Death In Ondo

Ayodele Oni

March 11, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has commenced investigation and possible arrest of suspects in a case of gruesome murder of a 45 years old housewife.

The incident happened at a suburb village in Ondo west local government area of the state.

Police account explained that “On 08/03/2024 around 1700hrs, one Tajudeen Bolarinwa of Ago road, Onipetesi village reported that at about 1630 hrs that his wife Mrs Kudirat Bolarinwa aged 45 yrs, who goes from one farm to the other to buy kolanuts was murdered in the bush by an unknown person.

“At the scene of incident, the deceased was left with only pant and the side of her face, lower arm and head was severely matcheted.”

Another report indicated that the deceased was found dead in a bush where she was allegedly raped and matcheted to dead.

One of the residents who spoke on condition of anonymity said the deceased followed a man to buy plantain in the farm and she was attacked by the same man on their way.

It was gathered that the man came on Thursday to that area to ask for the people selling plantain that he wanted to sell, but was still in the farm and the deceased followed him to the farm before she met her untimely death.

The deceased’s husband, Abolarinwa, who had led the police search, immediately approached the Enu-Owa Police Division in the area to report the incident.

Spokesperson of the state police command, Funmilayo Odunlami, confirmed the incident and said no arrest has been made.

Non Payment Of Withheld Salaries: SSANU, NASU Declared Seven Days Warning Strike

Ayodele Oni

March 11, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Two industrial unions in Nigerian universities are set for seven days warning strike over failure of the federal government to meet their demands.

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union, (NASU) declared seven days warning strike to demand for the payment of four months of withheld salaries of their members, after the 2022 nationwide strike.

The decision was part of the resolution of the Joint Action Committee, (JAC) of the two unions, after a meeting which held in Akure at the weekend.

SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, who read the communiqué of the meeting to journalists in Abuja on Monday, stated that the decision to embark on the warning strike was taken as a last resort since several protest letters and other communications with the Federal Government did not result in the payment of the withheld salaries.

The statement added: “If nothing is done by the Federal Government to positively address this situation and respond to our previous letters to them, the members of the two unions may be forced to meet soon to take all lawful and stringent decisions on the matter.”

The fresh development comes on the heels of the unions accusing federal government of treating their members with “disdain”.

President Bola Tinubu had directed the payment of withheld salaries for members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU) which was stopped during their strike of 2022.

However, SSANU, NASU, and the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) said they were yet to get salaries for the said period and had issued a one-week ultimatum about two weeks ago.

The SSANU Chief alleged abandonment of the unions by the FG.

“We have to speak like this because we have been clearly shown that we do not matter in the system. But we all know that there is no university that can function without the non-teaching staff because we are majorly populated by professionals.

“We own the engine of the administration of every university. They are treating this segment of staff with some disdain. It does not speak good of the system.

“While we appreciate the Federal Government for paying our academic counterpart, we also deem it necessary that our members are also paid.”

Ondo Community Accuses Mining Company Of Destroying Their Houses

Ayodele Oni

March 11, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Residents of Mercy Land community, at Oba Ile, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo state have protested against the activities of a mining company in the area.

The people during a protest to the company site on Monday claimed that continuous stone blasting by the company is causing damage to their buildings and threat to their lives.

Report stated that properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed without compensation from either the miners or Government, considering the high cost of materials and economic state of the Nation.

Some residents of the community described the activities of the miners as destructive, ungodly, unhealthy, and threat to life, which must, as a matter of urgency, be stopped.

According to One of the Residents, John Ayo Oladapo, “we are here this morning to call on all important personalities and particularly the Ondo state Government to come to our aid.

“We are facing huge amount of challenges as a result of the blast from the construction company, houses have been pulled down, several of our houses now have holes, as a result of their blast.

“On countless numbers of time, stones land on our houses rooftops, people have been wounded on many instances, the company is aware of this level of destruction, but nothing has been done to this effect.

“We have written to Ministry of mines, the area commander of police and up till now, there is no tangible result, we are calling on Ondo State Government to come to our aid to safe our lives and properties.”

Another resident, Olorunyomi Oluwaseun, emphasized on the need for Government intervention.

According to him, “we are at the mining and ceramic Industry, as a result of the damages caused via their blasting, our life is in danger.

“For instance, on the first of April 2020, a blast was made here and demolished the frontage of my house, reports was made, necessary offices were contacted but to no avail.

“We are calling Government to come and help us, the damages is getting too much to bear, there is inflation everywhere, a bag of cement now cost above N10,000 and roofing sheet has increased dramatically.”

The Secretary of the community, Mr Adebayo Majeek, explained that the residents are showing their grievance on the damages caused on the houses by the company.

“A lot of inventories had happened as a result of their blast, many houses had been damaged while some have collapsed as a result of the stone blasting.

“We have informed them on several times but nothing has been done, sometimes ago they promised us that henceforth, their blast will not be as massive again to the extent of affecting property.

“All these are untrue, we are however calling on the Government to safe our lives and property, we can no longer sleep with our two eyes closed, we as a people and community seriously need Government Intervention.”

Economic Hardship: Gov Yusuf Calls For Urgent Reopening Of Nigerian Borders

The Source

March 11, 2024

Abba Kabir Yusuf - Governor of Kano State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has called on President Bola Tinubu, to as a matter of urgency consider the re opening of Nigerian Borders for the importation of some essential commodities to mitigate the present excruciating economic situation in the country.

In a statement issued on Monday March 11 2024 by his Spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf decried the critical condition of the people, occasioned by incessant increases in the costs of essential food items.

The Governor who spoke after receiving in audience visiting Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service Alhaji Bashir Adewale at the Government House Kano noted that opening the borders and allowing the importation of some essential commodities will serve the short term purpose of alleviating the current hardship in the land,while government can continue to explore other long term measures to fix the economy.

“We wish to appreciate the President’s intervention on the ongoing national food initiative and we are grateful to him for choosing Kano as the host for the Flagg off of the initiative.

“We are believing that the programme will cushion the effects of food scarcity if implemented.

But another immediate intervention that can make food available and affordable to the teaming populace is for the Federal Government to consider the re opening of the borders and allow free importation of commodities.” Governor Yusuf stated.

The Kano State Governor lamented the prevalent hardship being experienced by the people ,expressing worry that the situation may be more biting during the ongoing Ramadan if nothing is done to arrest the situation.

He commended the Nigerian Customs for its plan to distribute food items to kano residents,pleading that the exercise should be carried out in a way that will ensure the benevolent act reaches those that really need assistance.

The Comptroller General of Customs assured all Stakeholders of the Service readiness to address the current challenges of food scarcity and hardship in Kano through the distribution of essential food items to the state residents , adding that the bond between the Kano state Communities and Nigerian Customs Service will be fortified through mutual understanding and collaboration.

Imo: “List Of Commissioner-nominees Fake, It’s Uzodimma’s Detractors At Work” – Nwachuku, Gov’s Spokesperson

The Source

March 11, 2024

The attention of the Office of the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the Governor has been drawn to a fake list of seven names purportedly sent to the House of Assembly by Governor Hope Uzodimma for screening and confirmation as “second batch” this week.

No such list exists to the best of my knowledge.

Unfortunately, those behind this latest fake list, like they did last week using the New and Electronic Media desk and also tagged it “second batch”, put my name on the poorly written press release they escalated on social media to make it look authentic before the unsuspecting reading public.

Truth is that my office did not issue any press statement on any purported list of seven persons whose names were purportedly sent to the House of Assembly.

The unsuspecting and reading members of the public who, those behind the fake list wanted to deceive, should ignore such antics of political jobbers and idlers who think that resort to blackmail is the answer to either their political ambition or that of their co travellers.

The Governor of Imo State, Sen. Uzodimma, is wiser than the perpetrators of this old order of using blackmail and arm twisting to climb to positions of responsibility which, unfortunately, left our dear State disabled over the years and will never travel that road again.

To also think that by raising a fake list and using my office and name to legitimise it is the answer to their haunt for job is the most stupid thing any right thinking person could ever do.

For the avoidance of doubt, Governor Uzodimma has commenced the process of selecting those who will fit the mould of Imo State of his dream and there will be no going back. Not even trailer loads of blackmailers will stop the idea.

Members of the public are therefore advised to ignore those who have always worked against their interest, using all manner of tactics, as they can see from the release of fake list of purported commissioner nominees for confirmation.

Visit Of Conference Of Former Speakers To Oti: No Plan To Defect To LP, Say Abia PDP Members

The Source

March 11, 2024

Conference Of Former Speakers visit Alex Otti

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has stated that the Party members who formed the nucleus of Members of the Conference of Former Speakers that visited the Abia State Governor Dr Alex Oti on Friday, March 8, 2024, and the statements credited to them were made in their personal capacities and do not represent the views of the PDP in Abia State .

The PDP also has rejected speculations linking the said visit with plans by its members involved in the visit to dump the Party. The Party insisted that its members who participated in the said visit did so in line with their rights to freedom of association as guaranteed by the different declarations on human rights at the international, national and local levels.

The Source reports that the Conference of Former Speakers, Abia state, on Friday, March 8, 2024, visited and lauded Governor Oti for his performance within the short period in office, and assured the Governor of their readiness to partner with him in moving the state forward.

According to them, what is paramount at the moment is not politics ,but how to ensure that Abia State is sustained on the path of growth and development ‘ promising to avail the Labour Party LP led Governor Oti’s administration useful advice when ever needed.

The Conference of Former Speakers, as presently constituted is dominated by PDP members including the immediate past Deputy Governor Sir Udo Oko Chukwu , thus fueling insinuations about some of them joining ranks with the ruling LP in the state .

But in statement issued by the PDP Vice Chairman/ Acting Publicity Secretary, Hon.Abraham Amah, on Sunday March 10 and made available to The Source the party said it is laughable to speculate that its members who were part of the visit are planning to defect to the Lab our Party..

“What is even more laughable is the suggestions that the PDP in Abia is no longer intact because its members who belong to a non- partisan organization paid a visit to the Governor.

“The Abia PDP wishes to clear the air on the visit and set records straight to disappoint those who wish to see it dismembered.

“The Conference of Former Speakers is a non partisan organization made up of eight members . Of the number ,five belong to the PDP ,while three are of the APC and two of the PDP members Rt Hon Dr Alwell Asiforo Okere and Rt Hon Engr Chinedum Orji did not embark on the said visit .

“We state in clear terms that the members who went to visit the Governor and the statement credited to them were made in their personal capacities and do not represent the views of the PDP

“We are aware that the Conference made a similar visit to a PDP Governor in the North East region a few weeks ago and that they are also planning to visit another PDP Governor in the South South in the coming days .

“Does it now suggest that the APC members of the Conference who visited the North East Governor ,the Governor of Abia state and the planned visit to the South South Governor are planning to defect to the PDP and or LP?

“Such laborious speculations about decampment of PDP members is insulting to those who peddle such unfounded fantasies because the PDP recognises that everyone is at liberty to join any party he or she desires at any time and there fore would not restrain any one.

“For the PDP such rumours go a long way to reinforce our undiluted strength and immutable capacity to the point that even when we are no longer in power people always feel jittery when our members cough.

“The Abia PDP uses this opportunity to reassure its teeming, members sympathisers and the good people of Abia state that the party remains firm,intact and unshakable and would continue to provide credible measures to strengthen our democracy,” the PDP statement noted.

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