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Abuja- Kaduna Train Mastermind Arrested, 23 Terrorists Killed

By
James Orji
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One of the masterminds of the March 28, 2022 train bombing in Kaduna has been arrested by troops of the Nigerian Army, according to the Defence Headquarters, DHQ.

The DHQ, however, did not name the terrorist who has confessed to be one of the attackers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train last year in which some people were killed and others wounded.

The yet to be named terrorist, the DHQ said arrested alongside two other terrorists at Damba community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Feb. 14.

Speaking to journaslists in Abuja on Thursday, DHQ spokesman, Maj. Gen Musa Danlami said the operation also led to the recovery of two motorcycles, mobile phones, the sum of 5,000 dollars, other currencies and some sundry items.

Troops also neutralised seven terrorists at Ungwan Birni in Kajuru Local Government Area of the state while on patrol, he said.

According to him, troops also recovered 83 rounds of 7.62mm NATO, 50 rounds of 7.62mm special, and seven magazines, among other items.

Danmadami also disclosed that the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji, had, within two weeks neutralised 23 terrorists and arrested nine as well as rescued 23 abducted civilians, while the air component conducted a series of air interdiction operations to decimate and deny the terrorist freedom of action within the period under review.

Danlami said: “Specifically, on Feb. 13, an air interdiction operation was conducted based on an intelligence report that terrorists had gathered for a wedding ceremony at a location within Safana Local Government Area of Katsina State.

“Another air interdiction operation was conducted at identified terrorists locations within Kankara and Batsari Local Government Areas, all in Katsina state.

“Feedback revealed that several terrorists were neutralised in both air strikes.”

Final Appeal To Nigerians: “You Are To Determine Who To Serve You”

By
The Source
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Peter Obi

By Peter Obi

  1. Fellow Nigerians, on 27th May 2022, I took a most important decision in my life to join great and patriotic Nigerians in Labour Party to rescue our dear country Nigeria from the litany of leadership and governance failures. I was later, most graciously elected as the Presidential Candidate to lead the crusade for a New Nigeria! I sincerely thank the members and leadership of the Labour Party and other committed Nigerians like Professor Pat Utomi that made it possible. On deep reflection, I am eternally grateful to God for the decision to join Labour Party and to offer myself to serve and lead a New Nigeria!
  1. As we campaigned across states, cities, towns, and villages of our dear Nation, my heart was filled with great concern but also with joy and hope. We experienced genuine love and we felt overwhelmed by the abundant and immeasurable blessings of God, in every part of our beloved country Nigeria. We felt the unparalleled zeal and energy for survival and the desire for a productive economy across the 36 states of Nigeria. I was equally very sad and most concerned! Sad as the above opportunities are being lost principally due to bad leadership and governance in a country of immense potential.
  1. We saw real and multi-dimensional poverty, undeserving unemployment and living conditions; decaying and unavailable basic infrastructure; avoidable crises, accidents, deaths, and unchecked insecurity and criminality. Even with the lamentable state of our people, society, and economy, we are most encouraged by the love, unity, patriotism, energy, and productivity embedded in all parts of Nigeria waiting to be properly harnessed to create a secure, united, and productive New Nigeria!
  1. As we end the campaigns, Datti Baba-Ahmed and I fully reiterate our pledge and deep commitment to lead a New Nigeria where unity, peace, love, and prosperity will reign. We sincerely thank all Nigerians particularly the “Obedients” and all our supporters across the country for their abiding faith in us. We commit and pledge to pursue and exceed your expectations for a New Nigeria.
  1. We console and pray for the repose of the souls of Nigerians particularly our supporters that died or were killed in our struggle for a New Nigeria. Notable among them are Mallam Lawal Garba, our Zonal Party Chairman in Kaduna that died in a ghastly motor accident in October 2022, Mrs. Victoria Chimtex, the LabourParty Women Leader in Kaduna State, who was murdered in Kaura, Kaduna State in November 2022, Mr. Christopher Elehu, Labour Party’s candidate for OnuimoLocal Government Area constituency, Imo State House of Assembly that was killed in December 2022, Mr. Isaac Dauda, our Labour Leader in Mangu Local Government Area, Plateau State that died in January 2023 and Mr. Oyibo Chukwu, our senatorial candidate for Enugu East that was most painfully killed yesterday night! We feel very sad and pray that God accepts their souls and that perpetual light shines upon them!
  1. We have also witnessed with great concern the unwarranted and uncivilized attacks on our supporters. We sympathize and pray for their quick recovery and again totally condemn such attacks that have unfortunately led to the amputation of one of our supporters in Lagos. We strongly and unequivocally demand that security agencies work round the clock to prevent any further attacks and bring the perpetrators to book. We equally call on INEC to conduct the elections with utmost professionalism and impartiality. Election materials must be delivered on time and conducted strictly in line with agreed guidelines. The choice of Nigerians must be respected and allowed to prevail! The elections must be free and fair and conducted in an atmosphere of peace.
  1. Labour Party through Datti Baba-Ahmed and I represent the New Nigeria we all want. The overwhelming support we have received from all parts of Nigeria is evident that we represent the new energy and intellect needed for a New, United, Secured, and Prosperous Nigeria. While the other candidates are free to contest, we believe that the task of engineering a new Nigeria requires a complete change in attitude, approach, and style. Commitment, hard work, and innovation are needed to move Nigeria to a position of relevance and power in the comity of nations. Our vision is a Nigeria that every citizen will be proud of and one that works for all.
  1. As we struggle just to get by each day, may we remember that government exists to serve you, that power belongs to you, and that you determine who serves you. We,, therefore implore all Nigerians of goodwill to troop out on Saturday 25th of February to cast and protect their votes for Labour Party (LP- Mama, Papa, Pikin) to birth a New Nigeria. Our desire is a New Nigeria where our versed arable lands particularly in the North, our cocoa in the South-West, coal in the South-East and oil and gas in the South-South, our regional linkage location, the entrepreneurial spirit of Obafemi in Ibadan, Abubakar in Kano and Nnamdi in Aba, the unquenchable desire for human capital development, a just and moral oriented society of Mrs. Seember in Makurdi are all harnessed, developed and sustained.
  1. It will be a New Nigeria with the environment for high-quality goats and rice of Alhaji Bagudu in Kebbi, the desire of Mallam Haruna in Gilani, Yobe State to harness their abundant Kaolin and gypsum, and Mr. Pwajok to develop Potato and rice plantations in Shendam Plateau State and Adani, Enugu State respectively are fully supported.
  1. With a New Nigeria, both local and foreign investors will be attracted to build a power plant using our coal, gas, water, and sun. MTN and Shell Plc are excited to relocate their technical support office for North Central to Jalingo, and our commercial banks are inspired and secured to host their Annual general meetings in Maiduguri, Gusau, or Damaturu. Kayode Omojawa from Ondo State and Helen Bassey from Ogoja, Cross River State will be motivated to convince their parents to allow them to school in Offa, Kwara State due to the excellent infrastructure and secured Nigeria.
  1. We will build agricultural dams and support every state in Nigeria to plant 10, million economic trees to generate an additional N300,000,000,000 (Three Hundred Billion Naira) per state every year to eradicate poverty and enhance the human capital development of our children and youths. Our government will give utmost attention to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) issues starting with proper cleaning and restoration of Niger Delta areas ravaged by oil pollution and years of negligence.
  1. Let me reiterate, securing and uniting Nigeria will be our number one priority and we will do whatever is required to achieve it. We will lead and task security agencies to locate and rescue all Nigerians still being held captive by bandits and criminals including Leah Sharibu, remaining Chibok girls, and others. Our farmers must return to their farms to feed Nigeria. We will execute a national security strategy starting with three-level (federal, state, local) policing anchored on accelerated human and physical development; drive our national security strategy on data, intelligence, insights, and technology in addition to the enhanced physical presence of our men and women in uniform.
  1. We will create a cultural, economic, social, political, and policy environment to ensure labour dignity, eliminate government waste, and drive out corruption. The scam called oil subsidy will be removed and the cost of governance significantly reduced. Every Naira that government spends will be focused on improving lives and livelihoods to reduce poverty, create jobs and enhance technology driven-productivity.
  1. That is the New Nigeria that Datti Baba-Ahmed and I offer to provide and lead. We once again implore you to come out en-masse on Saturday 25th February to cast and protect your votes for Labour Party (LP- Mama, Papa, Pikin) for a New Nigeria. With our soul, mind, and body, we pledge and deeply commit to A New Secured, United, and Prosperous Nigeria! So, help us God! May God bless you all and guide, protect and bless The Federal Republic of Nigeria!

Finnish Police Release Simon Ekpa

By
The Source
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By Gideon Njoku

Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has been released from custody by the Finnish Police.

Ekpa was released after being grilled for hours by the Police.

The Finnish Police had arrested Ekpa on Thursday, to the excitement of most Igbo in the South-east of Nigeria. Ekpa had been terrorizing the Zone by inflicting violence, fear, and death on them. No thanks to the usual sit-at-home orders he declares at a drop of the hat, the economy of the Zone has been crippled.

A couple of days ago, he reiterated that there will be no elections in the South-east.

To instill fears in the people and stop them from voting, he declared a shutdown of the Zone. In the past few days, violence has escalated in the South-east with at least 20 people, including law enforcement agents, killed. Kidnapping and destruction and razing of Public and private facilities are also on the increase.

When the news of Ekpa’s arrest broke, accompanied by a picture of him being led out in handcuffs by plain clothes Policemen, many people thought it was in connection with his activities in Nigeria from Finland, especially as the Nigerian Government had invited the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria and laid a complaint against him.

But the Finnish Police said Ekpa was arrested for a crime committed in Finland.

It is not known if it is connected with his tirade against Nigeria from Finland.

But Tommi Rees of the Central Criminal Police in Lahti said: “The person being questioned today is suspected of a crime. We will return to the title on Friday.”

Saturday Poll: NCC Dispels Rumour Of Network Shut Down

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) has assured that networks will not shut down as a result of Saturday’s poll.

NCC assurance came amidst rumour of possible shut down by GSM networks which may lead to breakdown in all activities relating to network services including internet banking

NCC in a statement on Thursday, signed by Reuben Muoka Director, Public Affairs reads “The attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has been drawn to fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms, insinuating there is a planned shutdown of all telecom networks and relevant ICT Units, including online transfer facilities of the banks, with effect from today, February 23, 2023.

“The Nigerian public, consumers of telecommunications services, and all bank customers are advised to ignore these or similar messages that insinuate deliberate network shutdown or disruption of services in the Nigerian telecom network.

“These malicious and subversive messages originated and are being circulated by fraudsters and unscrupulous elements in the society with the intent to cause chaos and panic among the populace.

“The Commission has received unequivocal assurances from all the service providers to the effect that all the network services are currently in optimal performance, and will not witness any deliberate shutdown or disruptions, especially at this very crucial period of general elections in the country.

“Therefore, all users of telecommunications and banking services utilizing network facilities are assured of continued optimal service delivery before, during, and after the general elections in Nigeria.”

Finnish Police Confirms Simon Ekpa’s Arrest

By
The Source
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0

By Gideon Njoku

The Finnish Police has confirmed the arrest and detention of “Biafran Terrorist”, Simon Ekpa.

Ekpa, self-proclaimed disciple of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has, for many months, been a thorn in the flesh of the Igbo as well as IPOB. He had, on most occasions, overruled IPOB leadership, and allegedly formed his own very violent group called Autopilot.

Anything IPOB says, he counters, including overruling IPOB on the continous sit-at-home order which has grounded the South-east economy, as well as his insistence, contrary to IPOB’s stand, that there will be no elections in the South-east.

On his orders, violence, tears, sorrow, blood, death, and the fear of tomorrow have been the lot of the people of the South-east.

A couple of weeks ago, the Nigerian Government invited  the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria and complained about Ekpa’s waywardness, threat to Nigeria’s security, and his terrorism activities in his fatherland from Finland where he is, also, a citizen.

But two days to the General Elections, an exercise which he had banned in the South-east and declared a lock down of the Zone within the period, news broke that the Finnish Police  has arrested Ekpa.

He was arrested Thursday morning, February 23, 2023, in his apartment.

Confirming the news of Ekpa’s arrest without mentioning his name, Tommi Reen, a Criminal Investigator from the Central Criminal Police, Finland, told a news outlet, HS News, that the “Keskusrikospoliisi (KRP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), in Finland had a police operation in a private apartment in the centre of Lahti.”

He said the operation is connected to an ongoing investigation. He gave no further details.

A photograph of Ekpa, in handcuffs, accompanied by the Finnish Police has since surfaced on Whatsaap platforms. He is said to be in custody.

87 Million Nigerians expected To Vote Saturday, Says INEC

By
Uche Mbah
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0

By Uche Mbah

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared 87,209,007 Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) collected across the country in preparation for the Presidential and National Assembly elections Saturday.

Speaking on Thursday during a Media briefing at the national collation centre in Abuja, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Chairman, Mahmud Yakubu, said there are still many more PVCs to distribute.

He, however, made no mention of thousands of PVCs recovered from a bush in Nnewi, Anambra State, where they were dumped.

December 12 to January 22 were the periods set aside for PVC collection exercise in all LGAs, which was later extended to February 5.

According to Yakubu, the rate of collection is higher than in previous years.

The Commission later distributed some backup data to Journalists.

93,469,008 were the total number of registered voters, of which the 87 million represented 93% of registered voters. The rest, roughly 7%,are yet to be collected.

Lagos has the largest number of collected PVCs with 6,214,970, followed by Kano with 5,594,193, and Kaduna with 4,164, 473.

The States with the highest number of uncollected PVCs include Lagos – 845,225, Oyo – 515,254, and Ogun – 410,281.

IPOB Not Interested In Nigeria’s Elections – Spokesman

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By  Ayodele Oni

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),has maintained that its stand on Saturday’s presidential and national assembly election remains total boycott by members.

IPOB, in a statement by Emma Powerful, spokesman of the organization, said “IPOB under the command and leadership of our great leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU who is illegally detained in DSS solitary confinement once more unequivocally and publicly declare our lack of interest in the Nigeria fraudulent selection process called elections coming up in this month February, 2023.

We have stated for umpteenth time  that we have nothing to do with the Nigeria elections and have neither called for a boycott nor do we have the intention  to call for election boycott during this coming elections.

“More importantly IPOB has not called for any Sit-At-Home during the duration of the election and therefore  distance ourselves from any purported sit-at-home in Biafra land during the election.

Those calling for “No Election” and sit-at-home during the election period are simply Fulani agents whose sole motive is to discredit our Self Determination movement by attempting to paint it as an anti democratic forces.

“Their intension is to create the ground work for the international community to view IPOB as being against democratic process and provide them with an excuse to clamp down on our activities and on IPOB Leadership.

“Nigeria Security Agencies have kept silent on these double agents because they are working for the Nigeria government.

“Let IPOB call for this sit-at-home or No Election, the entire Nigeria Security Agencies would have been ranting and threatening the entire Biafra land.

“Those calling for no election or Sit-at-home during this forthcoming fraudulent elections do not represent IPOB, are not IPOB family members never were IPOB family members and are not working for Mazi Nnamdi KANU.

“We have continued to make this fact public and for reasons best known to the Nigerian Media and some public commentators, they have deliberately continually  attributed the actions of these Nigerian politicians and Nigerian government paid infiltrators to the noble movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB WORLDWIDE.

“IPOB cannot legitimize a process whose foundation is ab initio of your choice. This is one of the reasons we have  distance ourselves from the selection process called Nigeria elections.

“Our position remains that Nigeria is  an irredeemable fraudulent country, and not even your vote can change the fantastically corrupt British enterprise called Nigeria.

“Our focus remains the unconditional release of our leader Mazi Nnamdi KANU as the Court of Appeal has Ordered and Referendum date for Biafrans to determine their political future.

“IPOB and the leadership will make a landmark on radio Biafra by MAZI CHINASA NWORU on Friday 24th night on the issue of elections and to tell Biafrans that we are not stopping anybody from performing his or her civic responsibility by voting person of your choice.

“IPOB did not order sit-at-home IPOB is not against anybody coming out for elections everybody should go out on these days criminals mentioned as sit-at-home. There is no sit-at-home order in Biafraland.”

Saturday’s Election Is Final Burial Rites For APC – Ondo PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo state has taken a swipe at early morning broadcast by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu saying it would have been unnecessary if the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has lived up to the expectations of Nigerians.

In the broadcast, Governor Akeredolu had appealed to the people to troop out massively and vote for the presidential candidate of APC, Bola Tinubu, not minding the current hardship occasioned by currency swap.

A statement by the PDP spokesman in the state, Kennedy Peretei, stated that “This morning, Ondo State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, delivered an address that fell far below the expectations of Ondo state residents.

“The Governor laid the blames of the present sufferings and agonies of the people, squarely on the feet of his party, All Progressives Congress, (APC).

“How he turned round almost immediately, to plead for the same party that ‘drew a dagger on the heart of the people,’ is the biggest surprise.

“Mr. Akeredolu, a Governor elected on the platform of APC, vilified President Muhammadu Buhari for policies designed to precipitate national crisis, and the failure of their party, and by implication the failure of their presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

“Akeredolu joins the league of APC Governors and Ministers that have openly declared that, the Buhari APC government has achieved nothing in 8years.

“The empty broadcast, full of lamentations failed in his attempt to dissociate APC candidates from the present gloom into which APC has sunk Nigeria.

“From the confessions of APC key players, it is clear that, a vote for any APC candidate in the forthcoming elections is a continuation of the present situation.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Ondo State Chapter wishes to urge our people to disregard the address as it did not provide the slightest of succour like some other States are doing, but merely added salt to injury.

“The affliction called APC shall not rise again in our land. The final burial rites will be performed in the next two days.”

Enugu: Obi Condemns Senatorial Candidate Chukwu’s Murder

By
Uche Mbah
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Oyibo Chukwu

By Uche Mbah

The Presidential Candidate of the Labor Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the murder  of the Labor Party Senatorial Candidate for Enugu East Senatorial Zone Barrister Oyibo Chukwu.

Chukwu and five other LP faithful were shot to death on Wednesday at Amechi Awknanaw, Enugu on their way home after a political campaign. They were shot  inside the Sienna vehicle they were riding in, and their bodies and the vehicle burnt. Oyibo was contesting against Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, the expelled Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Taking to his twitter handle @PeterObi the Presidential Candidate condemned Chukwu’s murder.

“I received with deep shock and sadness, the news of the painful killing of Barr Oyibo Chukwu, the Senatorial Candidate of the Labour Party, for Enugu East Senatorial Zone”, he tweeted.

“I strongly condemn the killing of Barr. Chukwu in all its entirety. Human lives must remain precious, irrespective of political affiliation.

“The mindless bloodletting that occurs in the nation is beyond depressing. We must not continue to toe this dangerous path.

“Enough of the killings, now is time for healing. I sincerely condole with the bereaved family, the Enugu East Senatorial Zone and our dear Labour Party family, for this painful loss. I call on the law enforcement agents to fish out and bring to book, the perpetrators of this crime, and ensure that Nigerians freely exercise their civic duties without intimidation.”

2023 Election: SDP Declares Last Minute Support For Peter Obi

By
Uche Mbah
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0
Peter Obi in Gombe

By Uche Mbah

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has, in a move not surprising to many, declared support for the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

This follows last minute horse and honor trading by political parties, with the big fishes scrambling to swallow the small fishes.

There are 18 presidential aspirants, but only three are considered frontrunners-People’s Democratic Party, PDP, the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Labour Party. The rest are regarded as “also ran”.

In most polls, the Labour Party, initially regarded as the third force, leads.

In a communiqué issued and co-signed by the Party’s National Chairman, Chief Supo Shonibare and National Secretary, Hon. Saleh Dass at the end of the National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Abuja, Wednesday, the 22nd of February, 2023, the party submitted that the NWC “reaffirms its support for Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed Datti in their bid for the Presidency and Vice Presidency respectively.”

Accordingly, the NWC “deliberated on the report of the Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina Committee, investigating the allegation that some of our Leaders from Oyo State, issued a statement declaring support for a candidate other than the Labour Party’s Mr. Peter Obi.

“The NWC has accepted and adopted the disciplinary action recommended by the Ikeyina Committee and suspended the Leaders involved. Should they object to this decision, they have the right to appeal to the NWC, through the National Secretary of the Party.

“With the Presidential elections only a couple of days away, the NWC again considered its position on which candidate best demonstrates an ability to engender a stable polity, as well as provide prudent economic management of our nation’s resources.

“Judicious consideration was given to the contending candidates, especially with regard to which best bears testament to the goal of rotation of the office of the President and the need to continue to encourage inclusivity in the polity.

“Giving consideration to both internal and external factors, and our earlier decision to support an opposition party candidate in the Presidential elections, the SDP reaffirms its support for Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Yusuf Baba-Ahmed Datti in their bid for the Presidency and Vice Presidency respectively.

“The party therefore enjoins its members and all Nigerians desirous of a stable, inclusive and forward-leaning polity to come out en masse to vote for the Labour Party in the Presidential elections scheduled for Saturday, February 25th, 2023,” the communiqué read.

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