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Students Body Cries Out Over Police Harassment Along Highways In Ekiti, Threatens To Shut Down Economic Activities

April 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

The Association of Southern Nigerian Students, (ASONIS) has cried out over incessant harassment of students in tertiary institutions in Ekiti state by security agents.

The Association, in a letter signed by Taiwo Temitope, President elect; and Ifeanyi Gilbert, Public Relations Officer, condemned random invasion of campuses by official of anti graft agencies and molestations of student on the highways by policemen.

It warned that students from the zone might be forced to disrupt the enabling peace of necessary action is not taken against the overzealous security agents.

In a letter to beads of security agencies in the zone with copies to Ekiti state Governor Biodun Oyebanji and the Inspector General of Police, (IGP) the students body noted that “It has caught our attention that Nigerian Students schooling across the tertiary Institutions both Federal and State owned have been experiencing high level of molestations and harassment from security agencies in Ekiti State. As a matter of fact it is getting worse day after day.

“The Nigerian Police Force is to protect lives and properties within the society. They are to uphold the fundamental human rights of the citizens and not to put them under oppression and molestations as recorded the past few Months in Ekiti State.

“Student leaders have been notified concerning the antics of police officials across the highways and domestic routes of Ekiti State and at some point lives have been lost due to accidents caused by unethical chasing of cars by police officers and security agencies.

“It is quite disheartening that students who are to be future leaders and savior of their families from poverty have surrendered their lives to the cold hand of death due to highway accidents initiated by these security agencies. We detest, negate and reject these high level of unethical conducts from officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

“However, NANS EKITI JCC has written a letter dated Saturday 13/04/2024 to the peace loving and students friendly Governor of Ekiti State to please speedily intervene in this issue so as not to witness massive reactions from the student union bodies across the State.

“As a matter of fact some days ago, the new leadership of ASONIS engaged with the Police Public Relations Officer Of Ekiti on this particular issue and he gave us assurance that the excesses of these Police officers on the roads in Ekiti will be controlled to the bearest minimum because the Commissioner of police Ekiti police command wants peace and harmony and unity between the security agencies and the students community.

“Thus, we call on the Chief Security Officer of Ekiti State to expedite actions and see that these officers are cautioned and comported in the discharge of their duties. Enough is enough.

“Finally, we won’t hesitate to shut down the economy and smooth running of Ekiti State if they continue to put our Students under unworthy embarrassment and molestations.

“ASONIS national and NANS EKITI JCC as well as other student bodies will not relent on the agitation for proper conducts of the Nigerian Police Force.

“We won’t allow them to put the Nigeria Students into danger of riots as experienced during the endsars and this is the more reason we are calling on Ekiti State Governor, His Excellency Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, the Inspector General Of Police and the Assistant Inspector General Of Police Southwest Zone to call them to order.”

Matawalle Tackles Northern Elders Over Tinubu Says NEF Has Become Political Paperweight

Ayodele Oni

April 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

In a direct attack and confrontation of the Northern power brokers, the Minister of State, Defence, Bello Matawalle, described the Northern Elders Forum as a mere relevance-seeking body, political paperweight, on the destructive journey.

Matawalle, while reacting to a report credited to the Forum against President Bola Tinubu, described NEF as “a group of people seeking political relevance to overburden the system and create political disunity among Nigerians.”

The group had in a statement stated that it regretted voting Tinubu in the 2023 Presidential election and would not repeat it in 2027.

Responding to the statement, the Minister described the statement as reprehensible and naive.

He said: “The so-called NEF is more or less a political paperweight trying to embark on a destructive journey that will bring the North to disrepute for the group’s personal and selfish gains.

“This NEF is more of a political burden to Northerners. The group is seeking to erode other people’s rights in order to be recognized or made relevant in the scheme of things, despite the failure of their sponsored candidates in the 2023 general elections.

“They cannot offer any positive idea or thought about the future of Northern Nigeria or, indeed, of Nigeria and its unity and togetherness.”

The Minister maintained that it was glaringly clear that President Tinubu won the February 2023 presidential election convincingly, querying “who is the NEF to want to undermine the president’s victory and even threaten to unseat him?

“This same group of people have intentionally shy away from their responsibility of engendering unity in the North by appreciating the incremental development being brought to the North by Ministers appointed by President Tinubu from the North, especially North-West.

“The NEF has not deemed it fit to seek audience with Mr. President to discuss issues affecting the Northern Region despite the numerous challenges facing the North as rightly highlighted by the President and being addressed by him.

“The group is yet to visit any of the ministers dealing with issues of security, agriculture, water resources, police affairs, Education, Health, Budget, foreign affairs, or any head of security agencies in the country so far for first-hand knowledge of government programmes and actions.

“Our region, the North, is united, disciplined and politically driven enough not to listen and accept being teleguided by any group of elites who had fed fat in the past on the North’s resources and opportunities, which had retarded development in the region and nation due to their selfishness.”

Matawalle said Tinubu is poised to do a lot for the North “as President of Nigeria, elected by the people of Nigeria, not by one ethnic group or the other, therefore, anyone mistakenly seeing President Tinubu as a failure or a weakling is making a mistake and should rethink.

“Such a person or group is either blind or misguided and unable to see the new Nigeria that is emerging.

“NEF is not more than a group that has refused to accept reality and is living in delusion. The truth is that the North is proud of its support and vote for President Tinubu and will continue to be proud of her relationship with the President given the enormous change and development his government has brought to the region.”

Pandemonium In Oyo State As Alleged O’odua Nation Agitators Take Over Government Secretariat; Apprehended By The Police

Akinwale Kasali

April 13, 2024

Odua Nation Agitator in Oyo State house Assembly

By Akinwale Kasali

Men who wore Military Camouflages invaded the Oyo State Secretariat causing fear and panic among the people of the State.

The Men who attempted to overwhelm Security Operatives in the State, by occupying the State House of Assembly Complex and the State Secretariat were alleged to be Yoruba Nation Agitators.

It was gathered that agitators dressed in military camouflage and armed with weapons, hoisted their own flag within the Assembly premises and sought to occupy the entire area.

Security personnel within the state secretariat quickly called for backup.

Sporadic gunfire ensued as a combination of security forces including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Amotekun Corps, the Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) converged on the scene to restore order and overpower the agitators.

It was also gathered that the agitators had arrived in an ash-colored Hiace bus and two motorcycles, which were seized and taken to the State Police Headquarters.

The gunmen reportedly headed straight to the State House of Assembly premises, removing the Nigerian national flag and replacing it with their own O’odua Nation flag before security forces intervened.

While several of the agitators were arrested, others fled the scene, pursued by security personnel into the nearby bushes and forest.

According to unconfirmed reports, a total of 16 suspects have been arrested, with two sustaining bullet wounds, while some others escaped with gunshot injuries.

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who is the Special Security Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Security, confirmed that the situation has been brought under control, with the combined team of security personnel successfully subduing the agitators.

He described the gunmen as “miscreants” and urged the public not to panic.

“We were able to arrest some of them while others fled,” said Owoseni. “There is no need to panic. Everything is under control.”

Security personnel have been stationed at the secretariat gate to ensure the safety of the area. Adewale Osifeso, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, in the state, confirmed the incident but noted that he was still gathering details about the situation.

It was gathered that Panic spread throughout the area as security personnel on duty attempted to manage the situation.

Men of the Oyo State Police Command and other anti-crime agencies stormed the entrance to the Secretariat in numerous patrol vans, including Operatives of the Oyo security network code-named Amotekun were said to have also arrived at the gate.

It was learnt that the security men have arrested some of them.

Details Later…..

“We Have Had Enough Of Kidnappings, Abductions, Raping Of Our Women” – Ogah To Muslim Leaders

The Source

April 13, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Abia communities in Isukwuato, and Isuochi/Umunneochi Local Councils have warned that they will no longer tolerate incessant cases of kidnappings, abductions, and continued harassment and raping of their farmers and women by people suspected to be killer herdsmen .

The communities lamented that due to kidnappings and other criminal activities allegedly being perpetrated by suspected criminal elements of Fulani extractions along ,the university town of Uturu, Isukwuato Umunneochi and Isuochi, farming activities in the affected areas have stopped, leading to wide spread hunger and deprivations among the people.

The Communities who spoke on Wednesday April 10, through the Member representing Isukwuato/Umunneochi/Isuochi at the House of Representatives, Dr Amobi Ogah warned that they have had enough of the abductions, kidnappings, killings and raping of their of people.

Hon Ogah who is the Chairman of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS,Tuberculosis and Malaria Control issued the warning when he paid a Sallah visit to the Muslim leaders of the Lokpanta Cattle Market in Umuchieze, Umunn eochi local council of Abia state .

Hon Ogah, regretted that most people in his constituency have since abandoned farming owing to the high level of insecurity in the area occasioned by the criminal activities of suspected Herdsmen, noting that hunger and poverty now ravage the people as a result of the disruptions of their legitimate means of survival.

“The hunger in our place today is because our people don’t go to the farm again.. Herdsmen are raping our women and they are giving you people a bad name.

If we have Elders like you here and you can not call the criminals to order ,then that means there is a serious problem. I want the right things to be done and we must change our attitude”the House of Representatives Member told the Muslim leaders

Hon Ogah ,used the occasion to appreciate Governor Alex Otti for his intervention in the security challenges in the area ,through the establishment of the state’s special security outfit- Operation Crush,

He noted that the Operation Crush came timely and has so far been able to curtail most of the criminal activities within the Lokpanta Cattle Market .

The Source reports that the Lokpanta Cattle Market and its environs, and the Isukwuato- Uturu axis were the epicentres of kidnappings ,abductions ,killings ,raping and other criminal activities through out most parts of the immediate past administration in the state.

Several high profile abductions for ransom by suspected herdsmen including the kidnapping of the immediate past prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria His Eminence Samuel Uche were recorded on the route .

However, public out cry led to the prioritization of the security challenges in the area by the Dr Otti, administration, with the demolition of some parts of the Lokpanta Cattle Market strongly believed to be the sanctuary of criminal elements, as well as the setting up of the states Special Security outfit.

During the Eid El Fitri Visit ,Hon Ogah donated to the Muslim Community the sum of Two million Naira for the completion of their Mosque and some essential commodities as part of his contributions to their Sallah celebrations

Joint Task Force Neutralizes Suspected Bandits, Kills Ten, Recovers Weapons, Assets

Ayodele Oni

April 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Military troops fighting banditry have again claimed success in the war against insurgents.

The Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) announced that it continued offensive operations against violent extremist with a view to restoring normalcy in the region.

Report said in the early hours of Friday, the troops successfully dominated Babban Doka, Gobirawar Challi, and Kabaro axis under Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, engaging the terrorists in a heavy gun duel.

A statement on Saturday by Suleiman Omale, information officer attached to the troop stated that “During the operation, our brave troops from Dansadau Forward Operating Base exhibited exceptional courage, overpowering the criminal elements and neutralizing 12 terrorists, while others fled with gunshot wounds.

“In a subsequent mop-up patrol, the gallant troops recovered significant weapons and assets from the scene, including 1 AK-47 rifle, 1 magazine, 2 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 1 locally made gun, 1 Dane gun, and 18 cows.

“Additionally, 10 motorcycles belonging to the terrorists were recovered and destroyed on the spot.

“Brigadier General S Ahmed, the Commander 1 Brigade and Sector 1 OPHD, commended the resilience, doggedness, and gallantry displayed by our troops.

“He urged them to maintain the momentum and not relent until normalcy is fully restored in the region.

“Furthermore, Brigadier General S Ahmed extended his appreciation to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division, and Commander, Joint Task Force Northwest Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD), Major General GM Mutkut, for his tactical leadership and unwavering support to the troops in achieving their mandate.”

PSC Chair, Arase Slams Pre-trial Detention, Says Commission Staff Will Join Bar In Prison Visitation

The Source

April 13, 2024

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr Solomon Arase, a retired Inspector General of Police, on Friday, April 12th 2024, received a delegation from the Nigeria Bar Association, Garki branch, led by its Chairman, Bar. Obioma Ezenwobodo.

The delegation was in the Commission to fratanize with the Chairman and Management Staff of the Commission and to invite the Chairman and Staff of the Legal Department to the Annual Conference of the Garki Bar.

Bar. Ezenwobodo said the Garki Bar was created in 2022 and has already attracted 1500 members.

He noted that the branch has remained the most progressive in the Federal Capital Territory and populated by young and dynamic lawyers.

He observed that the Commission as the Police of the Police plays a great role in the Justice system, adding ” our work will be half done if we are able to build a synergy between the Garki Bar and the Commission.

He regretted the recurring cases of Police Officers locking up lawyers on official duties and solicited the protection of Lawyers by the Commission (as the employers of the police) in their day to day work so that they can as well protect the weak and vulnerable in the society.

Bar. Ezenwobodo announced that Garki branch would soon start prison visitations to give legal assistance to the needy.

The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Arase welcomed the decision of the Branch to visit the Prisons and disclosed that staff of the Commission will be released to accompany them on such visits.

Dr. Arase spoke against pre-trial detention and assured the visiting Bar that the Commission will quickly Intervene in cases where Police have not followed due process in arrests and detentions.

He also promised that the Commission will participate in its Bar Conference. He told the Visitors that the Commission has put in place customised training programmes for Staff lawyers and have paid in full their Bar annual dues. He said he will continue to encourage the Commission’s lawyers to give their best to the service.

Gov Yusuf To Face NNPP Disciplinary Committee Over Alleged Divided Loyalty

Ayodele Oni

April 13, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf has been summoned by the disciplinary committee of the Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP) over allegation of divided loyalty.

The invitation to the Governor was signed by the National Secretary of NNPP, Oginni Sunday.

This is just as the crisis within the NNPP gets messier, which has led to division within the party.

Allegation against Governor Yusuf is that he participated in an illegal/ factional national convention of NNPP held by the Kwankwasiya group in Abuja on Saturday 6th April, 2024.

He is expected to appear before the committee on Monday.

The letter reads “I am directed by The Board of Trustees of NEW NIGERIA PEOPLE’S PARTY (NNPP) to invite you to the National Headquarters of NNPP located at Willand Plaza, Wuse Zone 4, Abuja on Monday 15th of April 2024 by 9.00 am.

“You are to explain the reason(s) why Your Excellency, who was elected on the party’s platform and a national figure of NNPP participated in an illegal/ factional national convention of NNPP held by the Kwankwasiya group at A CLASS EVENT CENTER, Wuse 2 Abuja on Saturday 6th April, 2024.

“In Accordance with Article 39 sub section 4 of our Constitution, the Disciplinary Committee is headed by Barrister Monday Mawah as Chairman while Prince Adetoyese Omokanye is Secretary.

“In accordance with Article 39.0, 39(1-4) on disciplinary procedures, Your Excellency would enjoy fair hearing with an unfettered opportunity to explore all other openings to resolve the issues being investigated as stipulated therein.

“Your Excellency is hereby respectfully expected unfailingly to explain to the Committee the reason(s) why Article 39. 6 (e,f & g) shall not be invoked as sanctions.

“Your Excellency’s positive response to this invitation shall go a long way to strengthen our internal disciplinary and democratic measures most especially in the area of Party supremacy which without prejudice shall in contrary decisively take necessary action according to the letters of NNPP Constitution 2022 as amended.”

Long Sallah Holidays: Enugu State Govt Queries Workers For Absenteeism

The Source

April 13, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

No fewer than 180 staff members of Ezeagu Local Council of Enugu State were on Friday, April 12, 2024, issued with letters of queries for allegedly absenting themselves from their duty posts .

On an unscheduled visit to the Council Headquarters in Aguobi-Owa ,along side other members of the Enugu State Monitoring Team On Work Attendance and Productivity, the Head of Service, Kenneth Ugwu, reportedly met only about 36 out of the Council’s over 200 workforce on seat ,a development that prompted an order for the issuance of query letters to the absentees.

But the Source findings have revealed that the long list of the absentee workers may not be unconnected with the long stretch of the just concluded Sallah holidays.

The Federal Government had initially announced Tuesday April 9 and Wednesday April 10 as public holidays for Muslims celebrations of Eid El Fitri,.

However, a last minute shift in the date of Sallah to Wednesday from Tuesday ,forced the federal Government to add Thursday April 11 to the Sallah holidays .

This is in addition to the Monday forced holidays in most Southeast states by the yet to be resolved Indigenous peoples of Biafra IPOB proclaimed sit-at-home order .

The Source findings revealed that after observing the holidays from Monday to Thursday,most government and public offices and ,even private businesses witnessed a lull in activities on Friday ,with many said to be still holed up at their various holidays resorts .

The Enugu State Workers monitoring team ,asserted that all employees of the state and local councils who absent themselves from work without official approvals will be disciplined in line with extant laws .

The teaam leader Ugwu, the state Head of Service ,who led other members drawn from Trade Union Congress TUC ,Governor’s office ,Joint Public Service Negotiating Council ,and other relevant bodies ,on the unscheduled tour also reminded the workers in the state on the need for them to key in to the vision of the state Governor Peter Mba .

According to the HOS , productivity remains the guiding principle of the state administration,noting that it is the only option in the quest to build a virile economy .

Ugwu,emphasized the need for all stakeholders to contribute towards the set task of growing the state economy from its current $ 4.4 billion GDP to $30 billion .

Gov Yusuf To Emir Of Kano: “Probe Panel To End Political Killings, Recover Looted Assets”

The Source

April 12, 2024

Abba Kabir Yusuf - Governor of Kano State

Again, the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has expressed his determination to unravel those behind the spate of violence and politically motivated killings that occurred in the state in the last few years.

This is just as he has reassured that the move, for which two Commissions have been constituted, is neither propelled by the urge to witchhunt and/or persecute political foes.

Governor Yusuf who spoke in Kano on Friday, April 12, 2024, when the Emir of Kano Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero paid him the traditional Eid El Fitri( Sallah) visit at the Government House Kano ,insisted that the panels of Inquiry were set up to enthrone a regime of accountability ,as well as ensure a halt in the practice of political thuggery and violence in the political space of the state.

He emphasized that the aim of the Inquisition is to fish out the masterminds and sponsors of political violence, and prosecute them accordingly ,so as to deter any future occurrences.

Governor Yusuf lamented that over the years unchecked acts of political thuggery and violence, has exerted its negative tolls ,on the state ,with several lives and property lost and destroyed.

He regretted that such unwarranted losses in human and material resources have impacted negatively on the economic development of the state .

The Kano State Governor promised to work in concert with the Emirate Council and other traditional institutions to bring about the transformation of the state ,which he noted is his ultimate priority

He announced that since mounting the saddle some ten months ago,his administration has paid more than a cursory attention to acts of thuggery ,and other criminal activities ,noting that the recent repentance of about 200 arrested thugs and phone snatchers who are now meaningful engaged,represents an eloquent testimony of his transformation agenda.

He said that one of the Commissions of Inquiry will be looking in to cases of wrong doings and misappropriation of state assets by the immediate past administration in the state ,with a view to recovering them.

Emir Bayero while lauding the Governor for his efforts at improving the wellbeing of the people through the execution of impacting projects, said he was at the Government House to pay homage as tradition demands.

The Kano Royal father appealed to parents, guardians and community leaders to always monitor their children’s activities, insisting that it is a veritable means of establishing thuggery and violence- free societies.

Alleged Certificate Forgery: Ondo Gov Aiyedatiwa Claims He Graduated In 1982 In School Established In 1980

Ayodele Oni

April 12, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has clarified that he went to one of the Secondary Schools in Lagos State which was affected by merging/closure policy of late former Governor Lateef Jakande’s administration which prompted allegation of certificate forgery against him.

He maintained that contrary to rumours of fake certificate making the rounds in some quarters, his certificate is genuine and authentic.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed this on Friday at the national secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abuja after he was cleared by the Screening Committee to contest the primary election.

The governor, who insisted that there is no vacancy at the Ondo state government’s house, declared that “I have been cleared that there are no issues.

“Questions were asked and answered and at the end of the day, I have been cleared that there are no issues. Especially the issue that has to do with the certificate that a petition was written, today that has been put to rest.

“My certificates are genuine and authentic. I think it is just a kind of mischief by some other aspirants who find me to be an aspirant to beat, trying to look for a way to discredit my person, but that has been verified and put to rest.

“I think the issue really regarding that was a school they claim was established in 1980 and how come I was able to write my WASSCE in 1982.

“If you are a student of history you will recall that in 1979, when the Governor of Lagos State at the time, Lateef Jakande became Governor, most private schools were taken over and schools were built for the communities.

“And Ikosi High School that I attended is one of the schools that were built by the regime of Lateef Jakande in 1980. So, it is on record that the school was established in 1980 and at that time I was already in Form ‘3’ in a private school.

“New Nation is in Ikosi while Royal Comprehensive High School is in Ajegunle, Ikorodu very close to Ketu. So all of us were moved to both New Nation and Royal Comprehensive High School and some other schools that were affected by flood.

“We were all moved into Ikosi High School, Ketu that was built by the government and that was how we wrote our WASCE in 1982, because we were in the first set. I was in Form ‘3’ at the time, it used to be five years, not now that you have six years for Secondary school.

“So their question, the petitioner is how can a school be established in 1980 and we have a first set in 1982 that the first set was supposed to be in 1985, but he didn’t take time to look at the history.

“So investigation has been conducted, the schools are still there, WAEC office is there where you can actually verify the subject that I took and the year that I graduated and the school.

“You just need to buy a scratch card and go to the website of WAEC, it will be there – Ikosi High School, Ketu and my name will be there with the subjects that I took and the various grades. So it is clear to everybody that my certificate is authentic and I actually graduated from that school in 1982.”

Asked what his advice was for those trying to pull him down, Aiyedatiwa said there was no vacancy in the Ondo State government house.

“I should just advise them to repent and try to go to the field and work. If they are interested in the seat and the seat is not vacant, that is why they’re trying to do all that they are doing.”

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