Politics

PANDEF cautions N’Delta militants against violence over alleged marginalisation

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The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has cautioned militants under the auspices of the Supreme Egbesu Liberation Fighters (SELF) to jettison violence under the guise of the alleged marginalisation of the region.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the SELF in a viral video posted on Tuesday by Africa Independent Television (AIT), complained that “no meaningful progress has been made” with the Ogboni clean-up project “because the Nigerian government has decided to place politics against the meaningful development of our people.”

According to a masked member of the group: “After accepting the amnesty pact, to date, there are no schools, no potable water, no light, no hospital and access roads for our people to enjoy.

We are coming to destroy all your infrastructure in Abuja and Lagos. As a group committed to giving total liberation to our people, we will destroy the oil facilities both onshore and offshore in no distant time, we will be seen to be crippling the Nigerian economy.”

However, PANDEF, led by a former Federal Information Commissioner, Chief Edwin Clark, said even though it is in support of the issues raised by SELF, it abhors violence.

This was contained in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Ken Robinson on Wednesday, February 24.

According to PANDEF, the issues raised by SELF are ”true” and in line with its calls for attention to be given to the youths of the Niger Delta.

It said: “We had said the youth will run out of patience and that things cannot continue the way they have been going on. How can we explain that the region that produces the revenue for the country …is one of the highest in the unemployment rate in the country? And you know of the population in the Niger Delta, about 50 percent of the people are under 30.

“As it were, we are sitting on a time bomb. These young men are unemployed, there are no jobs.

The region is degraded economically. What we have today is a story of the struggle for survival because there are no jobs, livelihoods have decimated, our communities, our waterways, and our environment have been degraded. And then, you see resources from the land making billionaires every day out of an industry that operates in our backyard.

“While the military has become forces of intimidation and oppression in the Niger Delta, intimidating our young people, carelessly and unnecessarily destroying our communities on flimsy excuses, no community in the NorthEast or Northwest that the bandits and terrorists are marauding and ravaging have been destroyed by the military.

But as a responsible organisation, PANDEF would denounce any act of violence because the adverse effect will be more on our people. We will continue to assuage our youths. They have every right to be angry in the face of these inconsistencies.”

Politics

Wike slams NASS over confirmation of ex-service chiefs, alleges double standards

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Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has issued a scathing critique of the National Assembly over the confirmation of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Burutai, and other ex-Service Chiefs as non-career ambassadors.

Wike made this assertion when the Senate Committee on Niger Delta paid him a visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wednesday, February 24.

Wike wondered why senators, who had severally decried the poor performances of the former service chiefs cleared them for another appointment.

He said: “Let me use this opportunity to express the dismay of most Nigerians to the Senate. Convey this to the Senate. We must be courageous in whatever we are doing. Everything must not be party affairs.

You (senators) sat and discussed that the then service chiefs be dismissed. You said they’re not performing.

“Now, the same people who were not performing, have been confirmed by you as ambassadors. What kind of country are we running?

“In anything we do, we must remember that there is tomorrow; our conscience is key. It’s not because I want to be a loyalist of a party. No. There are things you cannot reconcile at all.”

In response to questions about the responsibilities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Wike said the commission had abandoned its core mandate, leaving those who canvassed for its establishment disillusioned.

I don’t like talking about NDDC. It is unfortunate that those who fought for it, if they knew that this is how the commission will be, I don’t think that they would have even asked for it”, he said.

The governor pointed out that over the years, various National Assembly committees on NDDC had not provided sufficient direction to make the commission focus on its core mandate of developing the Niger Delta.

He further accuses some politicians of turning the intervention agency into a cash cow for sinister political agenda, while alleging that its management once spent N10bn to unseat him.

The governor urged the committee’s leadership to prevail on the management of the NDDC to embark on legacy infrastructural projects such as the eight flyovers being constructed by his administration and not to waste resources on 50 or 100-metre roads.

He said: “The chairmen of the Senate and House committees on the NDDC are from the region too. You are supervising NDDC, so why not sit down with them to know the legacy projects that they want to carry out this year in the Niger Delta states. Tell them these are projects they must make sure they executed first.

Rather than do that, you allow them to do 50 or 100 metre- road or a close that leads to someone’s house. What’s their business there?

“The National Assembly is a part of the problem of NDDC. The Presidency is a part of the problem of NDDC and the party in power is a part of the problem of NDDC. They don’t allow NDDC to perform. We too in Niger Delta are not allowing them to perform. We are the enemies of ourselves.”

Politics

Despite PDP intervention, Gov Mohammed continues ‘fight’ with Ortom

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The war of words between Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, and his Benue counterpart, Samuel Ortom, will not go away in a hurry as Mohammed has challenged Ortom to prove that he (Mohammed) is a terrorist and is planning to kill him (Ortom).

Ortom had, in a press conference in Makurdi on Monday, accused Mohammed of being one of the “terrorists terrorising Nigeria” following Mohamned’s comments that Fulani herdsmen carry AK-47 rifles to protect themselves from attacks by cattle rustlers.

Ortom further alleged that he had received a death threat letter from the herdsmen and that Mohammed should be held responsible if he was murdered.

However, Mohammed has called on Ortom to prove his allegations that he is a terrorist and planning to eliminate him, challenging Ortom to substantiate his claims that he was in cahoots with anybody to kill him.

The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under which the two governors belong had recently made a statement that it had intervened in the war of words between both men and had called on them to stop the attacks.

However, Gov Mohammed in a statement on Wednesday through his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mukhtar Gidado, said though he had restrained himself from joining issues with Ortom, “it would be irresponsible of him to ignore the two unfortunate claims.

The statement reads:

“In our resolve to deescalate the tension that has gripped the country over the sacking of Fulani herdsmen from Ondo State, we had resolved not to join issues with any other person over the position of His Excellency, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, CON, on the issue.

However, while standing on that resolve, it will be irresponsible of us to ignore two unfortunate claims made by the Benue State Governor, Dr. Samuel Ortom, at a press conference last Monday.

“During the conference, Governor Ortom alleged, among other things, that:

“Governor Bala Mohammed is a terrorist, sponsoring those he described as Fulani terrorist herdsmen.

“And he, Governor Ortom, had received a letter from Fulani herdsmen to the effect that they were going to kill him (Governor Ortom) and that Governor Bala Mohammed should be held responsible if he (Governor Ortom) dies

We are therefore shocked that Governor Ortom could, in good conscience, address a fellow Governor whom he had described as a brother, as a terrorist and who should, to wit, be placed under watch should anything untoward happen to him (Ortom).

“We want to state that Governor Ortom has carried the unfortunate theatrics, for which he is well known, to a very precipitous level of brinkmanship.

“As a journalist and democrat, Governor Bala Mohammed, concedes to Governor Ortom the right to reply.

However, through his unfounded and grave allegations, the Benue State Governor has over-personalised the matter, thereby reducing the debate to a level of toxicity that is neither healthy for the country nor helpful to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.

“One of the main attractions of democracy is the freedom of speech which we relish very much in this country.

“That is why anybody can rise and make any allegation as they choose. However, as the legal dictum goes, he who alleges must prove.

“So, if Governor Ortom is not playing to the gallery, we challenge him to substantiate his claim that Governor Bala Mohammed is in cahoots with anybody to kill the Benue State Governor.”

Politics

Bandits kill 18 in 3 Kaduna LGAs.

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18 people have reportedly been killed by bandits who struck at Giwa, Chikun and Igabi local government areas of Kaduna State.

Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan confirmed the attacks in a statement released on Wednesday February 24. 

The bandits who attacked Anaba village in Igabi local government area, killed seven people who have been identified as Ali Musa, Isa Sharehu, Tijjani Isa, Auwalu Shehu, Hashim Abdullahi, Hassan Saidu and Umar Rilwanu.

The bandits rustled no fewer than 20 cows during the operation and also burnt down houses along with storehouses and barns. 

In Barinje village of Chikun local government area, the bandits killed 8 people who have been identified as Sunday Gwamna, Lawal Jizo, Salha Barau, Sabo Barau, Umaru Barau, Muhammadu Dan Azumi, Zailani Dogara and Jikan Gambo.

Some residents of the village were also abducted, and cattle rustled during the attack, while an unspecified number of injured victims are receiving treatment in hospitals. Loosely connected communities of Kwarten Rigasa, Kwarten Waziri and Kwarten Shaku in Igabi local government area were also attacked by armed bandits. 

The bandits reportedly emerged from the Buruku area and raided the villages in a cattle rustling operation and in the process, killed one Danjuma Isa from neighboring Ungwan Kanti village as he made his way on foot to Kwarten Rigasa.

They also invaded Sanhu Makera village in Birnin Yero of Igabi local government area and killed one Yakubu Abdullahi, a farmer in the village, while another person was killed by unknown assailants in unusual circumstances, at the Ministerial Pilot Housing Estate, Millennium City in Chikun local government area.

The attacks on soft targets at Anaba and Barinje villages in Igabi and Chikun LGAs respectively followed the killing of several armed bandits through targeted air operations.

Aruwan said air platforms had earlier conducted armed reconnaissance around Anaba village during which the crew observed houses on fire and locals migrating to nearby settlements. He further disclosed that many bandits on motorcycles were neutralised by troops at Kankomi village and neighbouring communities as well as Kuyanbana forest while many of them escaped with bullet wounds.

Politics, World News

#Breaking: Senate confirms Bawa as EFCC Chairman.

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The Senate has confirmed the appointment of Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This followed the screening of the nominee at the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday.

Bawa had at plenary, responded to questions from senators on his vision and mission for the commission.

Politics, World News

First set of Covax vaccine has been delivered in Africa

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Ghana has become the first country to receive coronavirus vaccines through the Covax vaccine-sharing initiative.

The World Health Organization (WHO) programme aims to ensure that vaccines are shared fairly among all nations.

Covax is aiming to deliver about two billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines globally by the end of the year.

A total of 600,000 doses of the vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University arrived in Ghana’s capital Accra on Wednesday.

In a joint statement, the WHO and the United Nations children’s fund (Unicef) said it was a “momentous occasion”.

“The arrival of the Covid-19 vaccines into Ghana is critical in bringing the pandemic to an end,” they said.

The West African country has recorded more than 80,700 cases of coronavirus and 580 deaths since the pandemic began. These numbers are believed to fall short of the actual toll because of low levels of testing.

The WHO and Unicef said the shipment represented “part of the first wave of Covid vaccines headed to several low and middle-income countries”.

What is Covax?

So far, richer countries have been able to buy far more Covid jabs than poorer ones.

Covax world map

The Covax scheme was set up by the WHO, the Gavi vaccines alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to try to prevent poorer countries from being pushed to the back of the queue.

The programme is designed so that richer countries buying vaccines agree to help finance access for poorer nations, too.

It hopes to deliver more than two billion doses to people in 190 countries in less than a year. In particular, it wants to ensure 92 poorer countries will receive access to vaccines at the same time as 98 wealthier countries.

Most African countries are intended recipients of Covax, but a number of them like Senegal have been making provisions for vaccines outside the initiative.

A polling clerk checks body temperature of voters within coronavirus (Covid-19) measures as they arrive to cast their votes at a Wisconsin University during 2020 Ghanaian general election in Accra, Ghana on December 7, 2020.
image captionGhana has recorded more than 80,700 cases of coronavirus

The scheme has so far raised $6bn (£4.3bn), but says it needs at least another $2bn to meet its target for 2021.

Covax has faced some criticism for not moving quickly enough. One WHO board member, Austria’s Dr Clemens Martin Auer, said it had been slow to secure vaccine deals and deliver doses to countries.

The joint statement on Wednesday said the shipment to Ghana represented “the beginning of what should be the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation in history”.

Politics

10 dead, 47 injured in fresh Boko Haram attack on Maiduguri.

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Ten persons have been confirmed dead and 47 others injured in the fresh attack carried out by Boko Haram members in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital on Tuesday night, February 23.

The insurgents stormed the city launching 10 rockets. Among the dead were nine boys playing football at Gwange, when rockets landed in the area.

The state governor, Babagana Zulum, last night visited the hospital where the dead and the injured were evacuated shortly after the incident occurred. He was told that 10 people were killed in the explosions that rocked the city and 47 others injured.

Politics

Oby Ezekwesili faults Sheikh Gumi’s call of amnesty for bandits

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Former Education Minister and co-convener of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) movement, Oby Ezekwesili, has faulted the calls by renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi and some northern leaders that the Nigerian government should give a blanket amnesty to bandits and other criminal elements.

In the past few days, Sheikh Gumi, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and his Zamfara counterpart, Babagana Zulum, have been clamouring for amnesty for bandits and criminal herdsmen who have been kidnapping Nigerians and students from their schools.

Gumi has been in the forefront of these demands and has, on more than one occasion, visited the heavily armed bandits in their hideouts and have been telling government to negotiate with them instead of trying to force them to lay down their weapons.

On Monday, while appearing on a Channels Television programme, ‘Politics Today’, Gumi said the bandits are misunderstood as they are only engaging in an ethnic battle.

“What people consider as banditry is actually an ethnic war by nomadic Fulanis who feel that the existence of their ethnic group is being threatened by other tribes such as Yorubas, Igbos, Hausas and others.

“One can, in fact, address them as militants. Their mission is not to kill. They want money having lost their sources of livelihood to cow rustlers. Where there are killings, they are mostly ethnic revenge because one or some of their kinsmen had been killed by people of other ethnic groups.”

However, Ezekwesili is not in support of the likes of Gumi, Mohammed and Zulum, whom she describes as insensitive and beating the drums of war.

Taking to her verified Twitter handle @obyezeks on Tuesday, Ezekwesili wrote:

“Something is noxiously off around here.

“What is with all this ratcheting up of choruses asking traumatized citizens to “show love and sing Kumbaya” for rebranded terrorists now called ‘bandits’ by their sympathizers?

“Please stop insulting our sensibilities. Please stop it!”

In another tweet, she wrote”

I wonder what country all these fellows that are already beating the drums of 2023 Presidential race are planning to govern?

“Our currently wobbly Nigeria? I have an advice for all of you.

“Better use that energy to work toward a National Conversation on Nigeria’s Future.”

Politics

Fayemi visits mother of air force officer who died in Abuja plane crash

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The governor of Ekiti state, Kayode Fayemi, has paid a condolence visit to the mother of one of the personnel of the Nigerian Air Force who died in the Abuja military plane crash.

Flight Sergeant Olasunkanmi Olawunmi, an indigene of Ogotun Ekiti in Ekiti state, is one of the seven officers who died in the plane crash on Sunday, February 21.

Governor Fayemi on Tuesday, February 23, met with the mother of the deceased, Mrs Omolola Olawunmi.

The Ekiti state governor shared the photos of himself with the bereaved mother in a tweet posted on his verified Twitter handle just as he prayed for the soul of the deceased.

A spokesperson for the Air Force, Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed in a statement that the aircraft crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja after reporting engine failure en-route Minna.

Politics, World News

Italian ambassador to DR Congo killed

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Italy’s ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo has been killed in an attack in the east of the country, its foreign ministry has said.

Luca Attanasio, 43, died in hospital on Monday after the United Nations convoy he was travelling in came under fire near Goma, a statement said.

The convoy reportedly belonged to the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP).

An Italian military police officer travelling with the envoy and a Congolese driver were also killed.

“It is with deep sadness that the foreign ministry confirms the death, today in Goma, of the Italian ambassador,” the ministry’s statement democratic republic of Congo. Ambassador. Italy. United Nations.

The attack in North Kivu province is believed to have been an attempted kidnapping, according to officials at the nearby Virunga National Park.

What do we know about the attack?

Mr Attanasio was a passenger in one of two vehicles travelling about 15km (nine miles) north of Goma when the attack happened on Monday morning.

The vehicles were “ambushed by a group of six attackers, who fired warning shots before taking all the passengers into the Virunga National Park”, the governor of North Kivu province, Carly Nzanzu, told the BBC.

Peacekeepers secure the scene where the Italian ambassador to Democratic Republic of Congo, Luca Attanasio, was killed in Ruhimba village
image captionSecurity forces guard the area where the attack took place on Monday morning

“That’s when a patrol of Virunga National Park rangers intervened and managed to free four people,” he said.

“Unfortunately, before they ran away, the assailants shot the ambassador and his bodyguard, and they killed the Congolese driver at the start of the attack,” the governor added.

Congolese general speaks to Monusco officer in Virunga national park - 22 February
image captionVirunga is regarded as one of the most dangerous parks in Africa

The WFP said Mr Attanasio was travelling from Goma to visit a “schools programme” in the village of Rutshuru in eastern DR Congo.

“The attack… occurred on a road that had previously been cleared for travel without security escorts,” the Rome-based agency said in a statement.

The two other fatalities were military police officer Vittorio Iacovacci, 30, who had been serving at the embassy since last September, and their Congolese driver, whose name has not yet been officially released.

A number of other passengers were reportedly injured.

Map

It is not clear who was behind the attack, but the interior ministry has accused a Hutu rebel group known as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Many armed groups are known to operate in and around the park and militias clash regularly in the east of the country, where a large UN force is struggling to keep the peace.

The DRC army has deployed troops to help search the area.

Politics, World News

Students of Rochas Okorocha’s school stage protest in Imo.

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Students of the Rochas Okorocha Foundation College in Orji-Uratta this morning staged a protest over the state crisis between the state government and their proprietor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

The students carried different placards with the inscription ”Don’t hurt our Daddy”, ”If you kill Daddy Rochas, you have killed Millions”.

Politics

South-East govs wade into Uzodinma, Okorocha impasse, call for peace

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The South-East Governors Forum has waded into the current political impasse between the Imo State Government and the state’s former governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that the state Governor, Hope Uzodinma had on Sunday, February 21, 2021, ordered the arrest of Okorocha for allegedly breaking into the Royal Spring Palm Apartment, Owerri, which was sealed by the Imo government on Feb. 19, 2021.

The Chairman of the forum, Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi, in a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr Francis Nwaze on Monday said that the forum was already handling the issue.

According to Umahi, contacts have already been made to resolve the impasse and assured that both parties have agreed to a truce.

The statement read: “South-east leaders are capable of settling their disputes internally instead of washing their linen in public.

“We sue for calm among the supporters of both leaders to ensure a timely and amicable resolution of the disagreement.”

The forum’s chairman urged Imo and south-east citizens to conduct their business peacefully and according to the law, while urging them to also shun provocative statements as the forum works towards restoring normalcy to the situation.

Politics

Nigeria’s exit from recession a key indicator of ESP’s performance – Presidency

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The presidency said on Sunday night Nigeria’s prompt exit from recession was a key indicator of the success of the Federal Government’s Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP).

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, who disclosed this in a statement, said Nigerians should expect more as the implementation of the ESP gathered momentum.

Akande also provided an update on ESP progress and the latest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the last quarter of 2020.

He said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the ESP in June 2020 and directed Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to lead the implementation of the plan.

He said: “The plan is aimed, among others, at preventing a deep recession and putting cash in the hands of Nigerians after the economic fallouts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Right from the 2020 third quarter, the economy was already on a rebound. The latest fourth-quarter figures show that indeed, the recovery of the Nigerian economy is a steady one.

Like we explained late last year after the release of the third-quarter figures, the ESP, which was a calculated intervention by the Federal Government, is driving the Nigerian economy in the right direction – upwards.

“Nigerians can expect more because the administration is unrelenting in its determination to pursue the steady recovery and growth of our economy.”

The presidential spokesperson said the ESP was entering into an even more potent phase with the revving up of plans to install five million solar installations across the country.

He said the social mass housing plan would result in hundreds of thousands of affordable houses for ordinary Nigerians.

According to him, both projects will yield several hundreds of jobs besides giving the national economy a significant spur like never before.

Politics, World News

Covid-19: Prime Minister unveils ‘cautious’ plan to lift England’s lockdown

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All schools in England are expected to reopen on 8 March as part of the prime minister’s “cautious” four-part plan to lift the coronavirus lockdown.

Boris Johnson will share his finalised “road map” with ministers later, before unveiling it to MPs and then leading a news conference at 19:00 GMT.

It is understood that up to six people or two households will be allowed to meet outdoors from 29 March.

Rules will be lifted in phases and four conditions must be met at each stage.

It is understood that the first phase will be split into two parts:

  • Phase one, part one (from 8 March) – All schools expected to open with outdoor after-school sports and activities allowed. Recreation in a public space – such as a park – could be allowed between two people, meaning they would be allowed to sit down for a coffee, drink or picnic
  • Phase one, part two (from 29 March) – Outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households are expected be allowed, including in private gardens. Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis or basketball courts could reopen and organised adult and children’s sport, such as grassroots football, could also return

Also on 8 March, new rules will allow each care home resident in England to have one regular visitor, who they can hold hands with.

And from 29 March it is also understood that people will once again be able to travel out of their areas – although guidance will likely still recommend staying local, and overnight stays will not be permitted.

Data will be used to inform “every step” of lifting restrictions, Mr Johnson said.

“We will be cautious about this approach so that we do not undo the progress we have achieved so far and the sacrifices each and every one of you has made to keep yourself and others safe,” he added.

The four conditions that must be met at each phase of lockdown easing are:

  1. The coronavirus vaccine programme continues to go to plan
  2. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently reducing the number of people dying with the virus or needing hospital treatment
  3. Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospital admissions
  4. New variants of the virus do not fundamentally change the risk of lifting restrictions

Downing Street said the four tests are currently being met so the first step of lockdown easing in England will proceed as planned on 8 March.

The first stage of easing restrictions will be across the whole of England, Downing Street added, due to the current uniform spread of the virus.

MPs will be given the chance to vote on the regulations enabling England’s road map in the coming weeks.

Politics, World News

The moment Okorocha was arrested…

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Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, is currently at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Owerri.

He was arrested for allegedly leading armed men to break into an estate the Imo State Government seized from his wife.

Some persons sustained injuries while many vehicles were vandalised during the crisis that broke out before his arrest.

Below are pictures of  someone injured the the incident and the destroyed v

A vehicle destroyed during the clash

One of the injured victims of the clash

Politics

Police invited us to Abuja over killing of cow —Ondo chiefs.

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Ifon community chiefs in the Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State say they have been invited to Abuja by the police for allegedly killing a cow belonging to a herdsman identified as Abdullahi, an allegation they described as false.

However, the police have made no arrests for the murder of the town’s monarch, Olufon of Ifon, Oba Israel Adeusi, who was killed on November 26, 2020.

The chiefs stated this in a letter to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, dated February 19, 2021, and signed by Olowolafe & Co solicitors on their behalf.

The invited chiefs were identified as Mr Olaniyi Olotu, the Secretary of the Ifon Council of Chiefs; Chief Olijewu, Saliu Omotosho, Chief Ekon and the Chief Hunter of the community,

According to a previous letter dated February 2, 2020, and signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, Kolo Yusuf, the Ondo chiefs were asked to report to Abuja on March 15, 2021.

The letter of invitation which is marked 3000/FIB/STS/FHQ/ABJ/TA/Vol.5/259 stated that the Ondo chiefs were being probed for attempted kidnapping, mischief and criminal conspiracy.

The letter read in part, “This office is investigating a case of criminal conspiracy, mischief, threat to life and attempted kidnapping that your name featured. You are kindly requested to interview the undersigned officer on March 15, 2021, by 10.00hrs for fact-finding through DSP Ibrahim Magu.”

In their response signed by their lawyer, the Ondo chiefs said they had nothing to do with the killing of cows since it did not happen in their community but a neighbouring town.

They, however, said it was saddening that the police that had not arrested anyone for the murder of their monarch would take the killing of cows more seriously.

The community leaders said the police invitation is an attempt by herdsmen to get back at the community for exposing their murderous ways.

The letter read in part, “As a prelude to these invitations, one Fulani herdsman called Abdullahi had on January 6, 2021, reported at the police station in Ifon that the community killed his cow. It was in the course of police investigating this allegation of killing Abdullahi’s cow that our clients’ leaders who are now being invited by the police were first invited.

Politics

FG urges state govts to attract investments in water sector

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The Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, has underscored the need for state governments to prioritise investment in the water sector, to achieve targets.

Adamu gave the advice at the investiture ceremony of Mrs Chinwe Igwegbe, the 6th National Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Water Engineers (NIWE), on Saturday, February 20, in Abuja.

The event with the theme: “Reconciling bragging rights with human rights in the Nigerian water sector development” was organised by NIWE, an arm of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).

According to the minister at the event which also featured a public lecture, there is a need for collaboration between the States and the Federal Government to achieve Sustainable Development Goal, in terms of water supply.

Adamu said, “One of the key things that is affecting the water and sanitation sector in this country is the inability of the state government to invest in water.

“Everybody seems to put blame on the Federal Government, but the truth of the matter is that the Federal Government is not responsible for providing water for your taps.

“So, we need to work with the states; we need more states to invest in water and sanitation.

“The other issue is operational maintenance, the lack of investment in water and sanitation is a major problem.

This is one area that I hope this institution (NIWE) and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) will put heads together and increase awareness, to ensure states appreciate this,“ the minister said.

He further stressed the need for the Water Resources Bill to be passed to bring about reforms in the nation’s water sector.

Also speaking at the event, the President of NSE, Babagana Mohammed, described Igwegbe as a professional capable of breaking new grounds in the institution.

According to him, Igwegbe is embarking on a mission that will define the extent of the water sector, as a division of the NSE in the next two years.

“As the new chairman, your success will be measured in the number of resources and professionalism in the water engineering in Nigeria.

“We will expect to see constructive contributions and development of specifications and standards in the water sector.

“To aid in surmounting the challenges of development in the country; there is no doubt in my mind that Igwegbe will surpass our expectations during her tenure,” Mohammed said.

Politics

Army commander warns soldiers against harassing innocent civilians

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Soldiers of the Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven have been warned against harassing innocent civilians, but rather go after criminals.

The Commander of the task Force, Maj.-Gen. Chukwuemeka Okonkwo, handed down the warning at the inauguration of a special operation code-named “Hakorin Damisa” on Saturday in Bassa.

The special operation, scheduled to last for four days is aimed at reducing insecurity in some parts of Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau.

Major General Okonkwo further admonished the troops to be professional in their conduct, urging them to ensure that isolated killings, attacks and counter-attacks, armed robberies, kidnappings, banditry, and other criminal acts were drastically reduced.

He said: “You are here to dominate, neutralise the bad guys and stop all forms of insecurity in this area.

“Do not harass innocent civilians, they are not the enemy. Neither Irigwe nor Fulani are the enemies, the criminals are the enemies, so go after them.

“You must be professional in your conduct and operate within the ambit of the law.

I want results, not excuses. So, ensure you dominate and stop the killings.”

According to the commander, the special operation became necessary as it was aimed at addressing the rising spate of killings in parts of Bassa and Riyom LGAs.

Politics

APC will use seen, unseen forces to capture Anambra –-Ngige

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Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, says the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will employ seen and unseen forces to capture Anambra State in the upcoming governorship election slated for the state by November.

Ngige made this declaration on Saturday shortly after revalidating his APC membership at Alor Ward 1, Idemili South local government area of the state.

The Minister who has been at logger heads with Governor Willie Obiano added that the registration and revalidation exercise of the party was designed to strengthen and fortify the party in the country and called on Anambra people to key into the vision of the party at the center.

Ngige said the party was seriously deploying all the necessary forces to take over government in the state by November by any means possible.

“The APC is going to use both seen and unseen forces to capture Anambra State by November. By this registration and revalidation, we are trying to fortify the party in the state.

“The seen forces are human beings while the unseen force is God, who is behind the APC,” he said.

Politics

Unknown gunmen kill Gov Okowa’s aide

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A Special Assistant on Youth Development to the Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, Comrade Okiemute Sowho, has been killed by unknown gunmen who trailed him to a building site in Sapele local government area of the state.
Sowho, popularly known as Daddy K, was reportedly shot dead by the attackers on Saturday evening along Crudas axis by Akintola Road in Sapele.

According to the acting State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Edafe Bright, who confirmed the incident, the killing of Sowho was carried out by hired assassins as nothing was stolen from the deceased after he was shot dead.

Reports have it that the deceased who was in his 40s, was shot by his assailants at close range before fleeing the scene in a white Venza car.

The deceased who was confirmed dead in a nearby hospital he was rushed to by sympathisers after the gunmen had left the scene.

Sowho was said to be a former Councillorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ward 3 in Sapele, before he was made an aide to Okowa.

A short statement by Edafe on the murder of the politician stated:

“It is true that we have a report that an aide to the governor was killed; however, we are yet to get full details but investigations have begun in earnest to track down his killers.”

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