IGP Redeploys 21 Police Commissioners.

Nine of the senior officers were posted to head State Police Commands in various parts of the country.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered 21 Commissioners of Police redeployment to new commands and formations across the country.

This was disclosed in a Tuesday statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Aremu Adeniran.

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu

Nine of the senior officers were posted to head State Police Commands in various parts of the country.

They include Adeleke Bode (Kebbi), Ali Janga (Sokoto), Ngozi Onadeko (Oyo), Mohammed Aliyu (Enugu), Sikiru Akande (Cross River), Aliyu Garba (Ebonyi), Aliyu Alhaji (Adamawa), Nasiru Mohammed (Imo), and Ari Ali (Delta).

According to the statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, who is now a Commissioner of Police, maintains his position as the police spokesman.

Other police commissioners affected by the redeployment are Philip Maku (SPU, FHQ, Abuja), Ohikere Idris (Armament, FHQ, Abuja), Daniel Sokari-Pedro (CMDT Police College Ikeja), John Amadi (Port Authority Police (PAP), Western, Lagos, Haladu Rosamson (Border Patrol, FHQ, Abuja) and Abubakar Bature (Airport Command).

Also redeployed by the police boss are Yusuf Ahmed (Department of Operations, FHQ), Babaita Ishola (Training and Department), Alexander Wannang (CMDT Police Detective College Enugu), Olofu Adejoh (Counter Terrorism Unit, FHQ, Abuja), and Sadiq Abubakar (Peacekeeping, FHQ, Abuja).

Adeniran noted that the redeployment of the police commissioners was with immediate effect.

Trump defends remarks before Capitol riots, calling them ‘totally appropriate’.

President Trump on Tuesday said his remarks to supporters just before they stormed the U.S. Capitol last week were “totally appropriate,” even as they have become the basis for an article of impeachment against him.

“They’ve analyzed my speech and my words and my final paragraph, my final sentence, and everybody, to the T, thought it was totally appropriate,” Trump told reporters as he departed Joint Base Andrews to visit the border with Mexico.

He also sought to redirect focus from the deadly rioting to comments from other politicians made last summer during protests against racial injustice, saying they were “a real problem,” though he did not elaborate.


The president has yet to acknowledge his own role in the violence last Wednesday at the Capitol, where pro-Trump rioters clashed with law enforcement and broke into the building. The ensuing mayhem led to multiple deaths, including that of a Capitol Police officer.

Thousands of the president’s supporters descended on Washington, D.C., to protest the certification of the electoral results affirming Joe Biden as the next president after Trump spent weeks refusing to concede and insisting the election had been “stolen.”

Trump held a rally at the Ellipse just outside the White House, where he whipped up supporters with unproven claims and urged them to march on the Capitol.

“We’re going to walk down to the Capitol and we’re going to cheer on our brave senators and congressmen and women, and we’re probably not going to be cheering so much for some of them,” Trump told the crowd.

“Because you’ll never take back our country with weakness. You have to show strength and you have to be strong. We have come to demand that Congress do the right thing and only count the electors who have been lawfully slated.” he continued. “I know that everyone here will soon be marching over to the Capitol building to peacefully and patriotically make your voices heard.”

A short time later, rioters overwhelmed law enforcement and breached the Capitol complex. The vice president, lawmakers, staff and journalists were evacuated or ordered to shelter in place.

Video and firsthand accounts have since emerged of the mob assaulting police, breaking down doors and shattering windows and carrying zip ties. Dozens have been arrested in connection with the chaos, including one man who entered Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-Calif.) office.

Democrats and Republicans have widely condemned Trump’s role in the riots. Two Republican senators have called for Trump to resign before his term ends on Jan. 20, and House Democrats are scheduled to vote Wednesday on impeaching him for a second time.

The article of impeachment, co-authored by Democratic Reps. David Cicilline (R.I.), Ted Lieu (Calif.) and Jamie Raskin (Md.), states that Trump engaged in high crimes and misdemeanors by “willfully inciting violence against the Government of the United States.”

YouTube temporarily bars uploading of new content on Trump’s channel.

YouTube said on Tuesday night it was barring new content from being posted on President Trump’s channel for at least a week over a violation of its policies, the latest move by a social media giant to crack down on the president following last week’s Capitol Hill riots.

“After review, and in light of concerns about the ongoing potential for violence, we removed new content uploaded to Donald J. Trump’s channel for violating our policies. It now has its 1st strike & is temporarily prevented from uploading new content for a minimum of 7 days,” YouTube said in a statement on Twitter.

“Given the ongoing concerns about violence, we will also be indefinitely disabling comments on President Trump’s channel, as we’ve done to other channels where there are safety concerns found in the comments section.”

The decision comes days after Twitter banned Trump from its platform completely, a stunning move that drew the ire of conservatives in the U.S., as well as criticism from around the world.

YouTube did not specify the nature of the content that prompted Tuesday’s action. According to CNN Business, it concerned a video that promoted violence. 

The video-sharing website had recently pulled former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast from its platform, citing noncompliance with its guidelines.

The recent actions from social media companies follow in the wake of deadly riots at the Capitol last week that have been blamed on Trump by members of both parties. 

Governor Diri removes BBNaija’s Nengi as Face of Bayelsa Girl Child.

Big Brother Naija star, Nengi has been removed as the Face of Bayelsa Girl Child by Governor Duoye Diri. 

Nengi Hampson has now been replaced with Ebizi Blessing Eradiri, a First Class graduate of Law at the Niger Delta University (NDU) who also repeated same feat at the Nigerian Law School.

This came after many Nigerians faulted the appointment of the reality show star while also pointing out that Eradiri has not only made Bayelsans proud, but the entire Izon nation with her excellent performance at the Niger Delta University and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus.

Governor Diri on Monday January 11,  announced that Ebizi Blessing Eradiri is the New Face of Bayelsa. He also gave her an automatic employment of lecturing at NDU’s Faculty of Law.

Diri also condemned the politicization of Nengi’s appointment and further stated that his administration’s investments in the education sector would remain a top priority.

KEY MOBILE: KEYSTONE BANK’S MOBILE APP

Keystone Bank Limited has upgraded its digital banking experience through the launch of a “truly customer-centric” mobile application – KeyMobile.

The upgrade is in demonstration of its commitment to deliver superior, convenient, and innovative banking solutions to its customers, thereby promoting the bank’s unwavering commitment to enable its customers conduct all their banking needs in the comfort of their home/office.

The bank further disclosed that the move towards branchless banking is also in response to the new realities of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and the need to ensure safer banking practices for its customers by leveraging technology to redefine and reframe the customer service delivery.

On the features of the KeyMobile App, the bank said: “With the new KeyMobile App, customers can now reactivate or upgrade their accounts by uploading the required documents online.

“They can equally open new accounts within two minutes and get their debit cards delivered within 48hours.

“Transaction limits can also be increased or set to the customers preferred amount instantly using pin, debit card, token or customer indemnity.

“Apart from allowing customers to withdraw cash from ATMs without the use of cards (cardless withdrawals), KeyMobile also provide customers the option to schedule cash withdrawal or deposit requests at their nearest Keystone bank agent/branch locations, thereby reducing their travel and wait time to withdraw or deposit cash.

“To help customers manage their investments and expenses, the bank introduced the self-booking and liquidation of fixed deposits, scheduled bills payments, standing orders, cheque deposits and request features in the new App.

“To promote inclusive Banking, customers can now send money to non-account holders through their phone numbers and beneficiary redeem the fund from their nearest Keystone bank branch or agent locations.

“Money can be sent to multiple beneficiaries with a single click,” the bank said.

To improve the security of its customers’ fund, Keystone Bank disclosed that the App can disable cards and accounts, change, or reset their transaction PIN if compromise is suspected.

“KeyMobile also enables customers to interact online with the bank’s service staff for enquiries and complaints, to report dispense errors on ATM, POS, WEB and get real-time resolution.

“The App is not only about seamless and enjoyable customer experience, it also about giving customers instant financial rewards when they refer their friend’s/family members to download the app,” the statement added.

Commenting on the development, group managing director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Olaniran Olayinka, expressed delight about the upgrade of the new mobile app, stressing that the bank would continue to invest in technology in its bid to provide cutting-edge, round-the-clock banking services to its teeming customers.

“With the upgraded KeyMobile app, it is no longer a question of stepping out to the bank but about the convergence of innovative services, digital technology and Omni-channel platforms coming to us at breakneck speed.

According to the CEO, the app offers customers a simple, seamless and secure banking.

Read about the higher institution in Nigeria that is preparing to resume sooner.

The Senate of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has fixed January 25, 2021 as resumption date for students.

The Director of the university’s public affairs unit, Awwal Umar, made this known, saying that the decision was reached at the 501st meeting of the institution’s Senate.

Umar however said resumption of students will be done in phases with all graduating final year students to make up the first phase.

He added: “100 and 200 level students and all clinical medical students are also in the first phase. All postgraduate students are to be handled virtually using online ICT supported blended teaching and learning arrangement.”

The statement stated that other categories of students will be part of the second phase, as stated in the academic calendar.

Umar said the January 25th resumption date is subject to further directives from the federal and Kaduna state governments, saying that the management of the university will, within the limit of its resources, assists the health unit of the school with PPE and holding bay for handling of any suspected COVID-19 case.

He said all COVID-19 safety protocols would be strictly enforced as the school resumes.

NDLEA ARRESTS FUGITIVES WITH COCAINE AT AIRPORT IN LAGOS

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) has arrested one Okeke Uchenna Aloy Pascal, a ‘fugitive’ with 13kg of cocaine ‘cleverly’ concealed in packet shirts.

It was the first seizure recorded by the command in the year 2021 after making a total seizure of 3,413.463kgs of illicit drugs comprising Cocaine, methamphetamine, Cannabis Sative, Khat leaves, Ephedrine and psychotropic substances in the year 2020.

Also no fewer than 60 suspects made up of 52 males and eight females were arrested last year, according to the NDLEA commander at the airport, Garba Ahmadu.

Ahmadu who briefed newsmen on Tuesday expressed concern that the drug peddlers seem to be getting more emboldened in their acts with the arrest of Uchenna on January 6, 2021 with ‘Grade A drug.’

Incidentally, Uchenna, 30, was initially arrested in 2014 for the same offence with his case still pending in court but he reportedly jumped bail only to commit the same offence.

He was arrested last week during the inward screening of Ethiopian Airline passenger flight from Brazil.

“The said Okeke Uchenna is a second time drug offender and also a fugitive wanted by Federal High Court Lagos for jumping bail for a drug related offence in 2014,” the commander said.

Also, one Azubuike Jeremiah Emeka was also arrested on January 8 with 7.8kg of cocaine neatly concealed in embroidery (tailoring) material. He was also arrested during inward clearance of passengers on ET flight from the same destination.

On the same day, one Abdul Musa, a freight forwarder, was arrested with 117 grams of cocaine destined for India at SAHCO export cargo shed. The drug was said to have been wrapped and concealed in hair relaxer labeled ozone.

The commander said all the suspects would be charged to court soon, describing the seizure early in the year as worrisome because “they are significant seizures and the drugs being seized are all Class A drugs which are cocaine.”

According to him, the last five seizures made from the end of the year till date are cocaine.

He said throughout 2020 despite the COVID-19 lockdown and passenger flight restrictions, there was no month that the command did not make seizure.

According to the figure of the 2020 seizure, the command intercepted 51.404 kg of cocaine; 103.84 Kg of cannabis sativa; 19.935kg of methamphetamine; 19.811 kg of ephedrine; 2993.350 kg of khat leaves.

Others are 158.632 kg of tramadol; 42.0 kg of diazepam and 24.491 kg of nitrazepam.

The commander explained that the successes recorded last year and in recent times were achieved “through the selfless sacrifice exhibited by the officers and men of the command even in the face of serious dangers/challenges.”

He said the leadership provided by the NDLEA management and the partnership with UK border force, British National Crime Agency which paved way for the creation of Joint Border Task Force Project (JBTF) which has transformed the NDLEA MMIA Command.

January 18th date of school reopening is not sacrosanct

The Federal Government has said the planned 18th January resumption date for schools is not sacrosanct and a new date might be announced soon.

The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, said this on Monday in Abuja at the joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

According to him, the the ministry would meet on Tuesday to review the situation amidst the rising cases of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

The PTF had in December 2020 ordered schools in the country to remain closed until 18 January 2021.

Adamu said: “It (January 18th date of school reopening) is not sacrosanct. When we decided on that date it was just a target towards what we were working on. Of course we are keeping it in view and looking at what is happening in the society and then it is supposed to be subject to constant review.

“Even today at the PTF meeting we looked at the rising figures and thought about if we should probably take another look at it.

“On January 18th resumption, we are reviewing it, we are going to review it. At the PTF meeting today we considered it and tomorrow the Ministry is going to take it up,” Adamu said.

Lawyer sues Falana, nine others over demand for independent panel to probe #ENDSARS killings

An Abuja based human rights lawyer, Lucky Odigie, has sued the constitutional lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), and nine other persons at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over calls for an independent judiciary panel to probe alleged killings during last year’s #ENDSARS protest in the country.

Other defendants are Ade Atambi, Adewale Adeoye, Chino Obiagwu (SAN), Affiong Affiong, Prof. Adenike Ogushe, Y.Z Yau, Malachy Ugwumadu, Fatima Umar and Olumide Ogele.

Odigie, who filed the suit though his lawyer, Oghenovo Otemu, asked the court to restrain the defendants from setting up any parallel independent inquiry to probe alleged killings of Nigerians during the protest.

The plaintiff, in the summons, asked the court to determine whether by virtue of the Tribunals of Inquiry Act Cap 447 LFN 1990 and all other extant Federal and State laws, can validly and legally constitute or set up a parallel independent panel of inquiry to probe the #ENDSARS killings.

He also prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from conducting any parallel independent inquiry to probe any alleged killings of Nigerians, including security operatives and the destruction of properties following the deployment of security operatives in the wake of the #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria.

In an affidavit to support his lawsuit, Odigie said:

“The defendants cannot validly and legally constitute or set up a parallel independent panel of inquiry to probe the killing of Nigerians, including security operatives and the destruction of properties following the deployment of security operatives during the #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria.”

He added that the action of the defendants in setting up a parallel panel of inquiry to probe the #ENDSARS killings was targeted at undermining the different panels set up by the different state governors to probe allegations of police brutality and human rights abuses by security agents.

Governor Wike welcomes former governor of Imo State for the commissioning of road project on Monday

The Rivers State government headed by governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike are in for another busy week beginning from Monday 11th January, 2021 as they have set aside dates and venues for the commissioning of projects in the state.

According to the commissioner for information and communications, pastor Paulinus Nsirim who announced the various dates scheduled by the Rivers State government for the commissioning of five projects in four different local government areas this new week.

Today being Monday 11th January, is the scheduled date for the commissioning of Rumuche-Rumuakunde-Ohna Awuse Road in Emohua local government area of Rivers State.

The event is expected to start at 11am on Monday with the former governor of Imo State. Senator Okorocha Rochas as the special guest of honour of the day and the Rivers State governor barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike as the chief host.

Information gathered late Sunday night reports that Governor Nyesom Wike had already welcomed the former Imo State governor to the brick house in port Harcourt ahead of the project commissioning which is to hold on Monday.

On this note, the Rivers State government has called on the residents of Rumuche -Rumuakunde in Emohua local government area to turn up in large crowd for the program.

They also warned that COVID-19 protocols will fully be observed and urged everyone to appear in their face mask.

Obiozor emerges new Ohaneze Nidigbo President


A former Nigerian ambassador to the United States of America, George Obiozor, has emerged as the new President-General of Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanézè Ndígbo.

He defeated four other candidates to emerge victorious in the delegates election on Sunday.

The election took place at the Dan Anyiam Stadium, Owerri, capital of Imo State.

Mr Obiozor polled a total of 304 votes to win the election.

Three of his opponents had announced that they were stepping down for him at the venue before voting commenced.

Mr Obiozor takes over from John Nwodo as the president-general of the organization following the expiration of the tenure of the Nwodo-led leadership.

Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abịa), David Umahi (Ebonyi) and Hope Uzodinma(Imo) attended the election.

2023: APC vows to take over Delta

The All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State has declared it’s readiness to win future electons in the state, beginning with the March 6, 2021 local government elections.

The party said it was now poised more than even before to sack the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) from Government House, Asaba in the 2023 general election.

Chairman of the state caretaker committee of the party, Prophet Jones Ode Erue made the declarations while inaugurating the State Non-Working Committee, State Working Committee (SWC) and the 25 local government caretaker committees in Asaba.

Erue said the APC in Delta State is now more united, adding that with the successful inauguration of the party organs, APC has totally reconciled all aggrieved members to work in one accord.

He declared that were no more factions or tendencies that hitherto pursued narrow and selfish in past, which had accounted for the party’s poor electoral fortunes in the past.

“We are all united now to take over the governance of Delta State from the corrupt and decadent hands of the PDP led by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa,” he said.

The chairman tasked the inaugurated caretaker committees for the 25 local governments to take the message of total reconciliation to the grassroots in order to have a more harmonious and cohesive platform to defeat the PDP.

He however admitted that reconciliation was not a tea party, and charged party faithfuls to reach compromises and be ready to shift ground in the interest of APC in Delta State.

Erue urged the local government executives to go back to their various localities and inaugurate caretaker committees for the different wards.

He further tasked the grassroots leaders to ensure that the membership strength of the party is increased by over 100% in the forthcoming national revalidation exercise.

Kaduna Residents Protest Against Elrufai’s Bad Governance

Some residents of Rigasa in Kaduna State have staged a protest against insecurity and demolition of their shops without prior notice or compensation by the state government.

The protesters took to the streets in Rigasa under Igebi Local Government on Friday with placards chanting anti-government songs to express their displeasure over what they described as a gross injustice.

Rigasa was the most densely populated community in the area and was said to have witnessed a series of attacks by the bandits leading to many villagers’ death.

Despite paying rents through the local government with official receipts, the state government demolished their shops without compensation or prior notice, they claimed.

The protesters also lamented about daily attacks, kidnappings and rape by bandits in the community.

The residents, while accusing the senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Uba Sani, of insensitivity to their plight, said the senator had never been to the constituency since he was elected to the office.

They explained that his constituency offices across the local government had remained locked since after the election.  

The residents vowed to continue with the protest until their demands are met.

APC Knocks Trump, Urges Him To Emulate Buhari

The All Progressive Congress (APC) urged United States President, Donald Trump, to emulate his Nigerian counterpart on how to handle defeat after losing an election.

In a statement by the party’s Secretary of Caretaker and Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, John Akpanudoedehe, titled, ‘The integrity of a leader is as important as strong institutions’, the party condemned the US Capitol Building riot by pro-Trump protesters. 

The APC also faulted Trump’s refusal to concede defeat in the United States 2020 presidential election stressing that President Muhammadu Buhari contested and lost in elections several times but followed due process through to the Supreme Court.

The statement read, “The events of the past 72 hours in the United States of America are to say the least condemnable. Over time, the elections of the US have been used as a touchstone for elections in other democracies.

“It is settled that strong institutions are fundamental to the sustenance of democracies. However, this US election saga strongly underscores the fact that the integrity of the country’s leader essentially complements the workings of institutions.

“President Muhammadu Buhari contested and lost elections a number of times and followed the process through to the Supreme Court on all accounts. This is an outstanding credential of a true democrat.

“Upon ultimately gaining victory in 2015, the APC-led administration has carried out fundamental reforms to strengthen our institutions.

“For instance, non-interference in the functions of the Independent National Electoral Commission. The APC has contested elections; won some, lost some without splitting hairs. In fact, at some point, the APC lost over five states to the Peoples Democratic Party, yet we allowed democracy to prevail. We have remained resolute in our belief that in every electoral contest, popular will must prevail.”

The opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had earlier written to the APC to stop ‘unpatriotic practice of putting narrow partisan interests above the national interest’.

Akpanudoedehe, in the statement, also faulted the position of the PDP, stating that it was merely designed to gain political mileage and reinforce disinformation.

He said, “This is a far-cry from the days of the do-or-die politics of the PDP, where civilians took control of the security apparatus to subvert the people’s will and determine the outcome of elections.

“Electoral reform is a core plank of the programmes of the APC-led administration and a legacy that Mr. President has promised to bequeath to Nigerians.

“Therefore the statements by the PDP are merely designed to gain political mileage and they only reinforce the disinformation on all issues, which the PDP constantly and laboriously pursues at all times. The positions taken by the PDP governors against these institutional reforms are in the public domain.”

Soyinka To Buhari: You Can’t Defeat B’Haram By Sitting In Aso Rock

Nobel Laureate, Prof. wole Shoyinka has called for a national mobilisation to combat the menace of insecurity bedevilling the country.

He also said Nigeria’s sovereignty had been taken away by Boko Haram terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements.

In a direct reference to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nobel laureate said the President could not end the country’s insecurity challenge, sitting down in Aso Rock.

Soyinka stated this on Saturday while featuring on an Arise TV programme monitored by Sunday PUNCH.

According to him, Nigeria has reached the “stage of desperation”. The government should be willing to “pay people to come and help us” in defence against Boko Haram insurgents, bandits, and other criminal elements.

Soyinka said, “There are those on whose shoulders must be placed the primary responsibility and that include some former Heads of State who refused to see the inevitability of what we are going through right now.

“I am very glad that the northern elite is now speaking up, boldly and practically, (and are also) now taking measures which they should have taken years ago. They’ve moved beyond the unbelievable policies of actually paying killers to stop killing. I don’t want to mention names, but some admitted that they were paying protection money to killers instead of dealing with that cancer in the only way they should, which is excision, to take out killers instead of giving them money.

“You don’t appease evil, and we are dealing with evil; there is no other word, we are dealing with the proliferation, the enthronement of evil in society. And unfortunately, we have encouraged its manifestation, its proliferation, its entrenchment.

“So, let them get away with the issue of sovereignty. If they have to pay people to come and help us, then call them whatever you want. Please go ahead because we’ve reached that stage of desperation.

“But I will prefer a general mobilisation in which people are trained, farmers especially are trained to work with the hoe in one hand and the gun in the other hand, ready to protect their lives, their harvests and the rest of us.

“We are not unique; history is full of those situations. I would like to see a national mobilisation. Let’s be practical.”

The PUNCH had earlier reported that at least 43 rice farmers were beheaded by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State last November.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, had consequently urged the Federal Government to engage mercenaries and the militaries of neighbouring countries, like Chad and Cameroon, to crush the over decade-old Boko Haram insurgency.

Soyinka added, “From a self-protective point of view, it is a common problem; it is a national, collective issue. Don’t just sit there and think that you can solve it from Aso Rock; no. This now concerns even the lowest common citizens in this nation because that lowest, that most impotent individual has become a prime target. So, it’s a collective issue. I’m not surprised some governors now say let us reach outside help; I have also said something. I don’t say mercenaries necessarily, but this has gone beyond a Nigerian problem.

“Instead of that, what do I hear? Somebody gets on the podium and say, ‘The sovereignty of this nation cannot be challenged. Please, don’t let us hear any more of that rubbish. The sovereignty of this nation is in the hands of the murdering herdsmen. The sovereignty of this nation has already been taken over by Boko Haram; it’s been taken over by ISWAP, it’s been taken over by those with absolutely no respect for what is called national integrity.”

Soyinka also said Buhari’s nepotistic tendencies were outrageous, adding that the President appointed wrong people into the wrong places.

Soyinka’s statement comes two weeks after the Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Mathew Kukah, also accused the President of nepotism.

Meanwhile, Soyinka also warned that the Western Nigeria Security Network, otherwise known as Amotekun, must not transform into another form of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.

The writer said Amotekun operatives must be trained in ethics to not end on the wrong side of history.

Soyinka said, “Community policing, like Amotekun, is a recognition of the fact that the civic part of the entire national polity has got to wake up in not just its defence but also survival.

“I have told them that anytime they want us to come and assist; we will come even if it is just on the ethical session so that as you are training them to defend us, we are also training their minds so that Amotekun does not become another SARS – very important. We must do everything together.

“It is about time the public examined itself; what are we made up of? Are there those among us who, if they got into power, will behave exactly as those kinds of agencies which we are repudiating and against which we are protesting? There is no excuse for the brutality that occurred in the wake of the noise, rumour or reality of people being shot at the lekki tollgate.”

Harmonised Database is needed for for National Development- FRSC

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said that by the second quarter of this year, it would make the National Identification Number (NIN) a compulsory requirement for obtaining a drivers license.

Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye

In a statement signed by the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi also emphasised his resolve to ensured that NIN is made mandatory for all categories of Vehicle registration, effective from second quarter of 2021.

He said this was in total compliance with the Presidential directives.

He said all applicants of vehicle registration were expected to present their National Identification Number as a precondition for the registration of their vehicles, adding that there would be no waiver for anyone irrespective of their status in the society.

Kazeem noted that the exercise was imperative seeing the critical role a harmonised database on citizens’ information will have on national development in terms of resolving the challenges of identifying individuals to assist security agencies in data collation and speedy retrievals to address critical national security challenges.

Kazeem stated that the Corps Marshal beckoned on members of the public who have not enrolled in the ongoing NIN registration at the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to do so as the Corps will not register any vehicle whose owner is not captured in the NIMC database.

According to the Corps Marshal, “Beginning from the second quarter of this year (2021), If you want to register your vehicle, it is going to be compulsory for you to provide your NIN. This is part of the security checks. So once you provide your NIN, it makes the matter easier and helps the government in national planning, critical decision making and also enhance adequate Intelligence gathering for security of lives and properties”.

You would recall that FRSC had commenced compliance on this directive since 21 December 2020, when the Corps Marshal mandated that all applicants for the National Driver’s License in Nigeria must present the National Identification Number (NIN) from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) before they can be captured for any class of the licenses produced by the FRSC

See what Atiku Said After Court Gave Verdict on Obaseki’s Certificate Forgery Case

For some time now the governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki and the All Progressive People’s party (APC) have been in court over a case of certificate Forgery that was instituted against Obaseki by APC. However, the judge presiding over the case in Abuja high court finally gave a verdict and he dismissed the case against Obaseki citing that substantial evidence wasn’t provided by the APC to validate their allegation.

See the what the judge said in the screenshots below.

Shortly after the high court in Abuja verdict was given, Atiku Abubakar sent his congratulations to Obaseki on his official Twitter account. See what he said.

“I congratulate Governor Obaseki for his victory in the frivolous suit brought against him for certificate forgery. Kudos to our great party PDP and the good people of Edo State for standing firmly by the governor, and protecting their electoral mandate from being torpedoed by anti-democratic forces.”

I believe this is another victory for both PDP and Governor Godwin Obaseki who won the last Edo state gubernatorial election despite defecting from his former party to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) close to the election. PDP will also be grateful that the case against Obaseki Didn’t yield any fruits as Edo state will most certainly be in their plans ahead of 2023.

Gov Makinde vows to sanction erring personnel of Amotekun over alleged high-handedness

January 9, 2021

The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde has vowed to deal with any member of the Western Nigeria Security Network; code-named ‘Amotekun’ found to be involved in alleged highhandedness.

Governor Makinde made the comments in a statement issued on Friday in Ibadan by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Taiwo Adisa, who informed that an investigation into the allegation is already underway.

Adisa said that setting up of a probe panel to look into the allegation follows the recent face-off between some personnel of the Amotekun corps and some youths in Tapa town, Ibarapa North Local Government Area of the state.

The statement further noted that the government was doing everything to address the matter squarely in the interest of the security and wellbeing of residents of Oyo State.

#EndSARS: Edo Petitioner Demands Compensation Of N50m Over Police Brutality.

A petitioner, Mr Anthony Ogbevon has sought a compensation of N50 million and the release of his bus which according to him, was confiscated after being paraded for kidnapping and robbery even before investigation.

Mr Ogbevon was speaking on Friday before the Edo State Judicial Panel Of Inquiry for victims of SARS and related abuses, narrated how he was brutalised by the Nigeria Police following his refusal to help convey some alleged kidnappers with his bus to the state CID headquarters in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

Thereafter, he was accused of being a kidnapper and then detained.

According to him, after his arrest in June, 2020, his vehicle which was confiscated at the time is still yet to be released to him.

The matter which had been heard earlier at the high court, exonerated him of all allegations put before him which led to his release. But beyond that, Ogbevon sought a compensation of N50 million for the unlawful arrest, detention and brutality he allegedly suffered.

The chairman of the panel, Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe rtd., therefore, appointed some members of the panel for a locus visitation of the matter and adjourned till January 19, 2021 for review.

Some members of the panel had earlier visited the locus of some other matters which had been heard in the past few days.

Insurgency will end this year in Nigeria

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday, said the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North East might be wrapped up this year, insisting that with prayers, what has been happening in the country would soon be over.

Buhari, who made this declaration through the Minister of Defence, Major-General Bashir Magashi Salihi (Rtd) in Abuja during a Juma’at Prayer held to commemorate the 2021 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the National Mosque, stressed that “this year is a year of action.”

He also noted that the nation would continue to remember the sacrifices made by the fallen heroes and other members of the Armed Forces, saying the government and entire Nigerians would not stop praying for the repose of the souls who paid the supreme price while defending the territorial integrity of the nation.

Magashi said, “This is a year of action and we will finish what we are doing. What is happening in this country will soon be over. This year, we will finish what we are doing; pray for us that we succeed”.

The minister stated that the President assured the families of the fallen heroes that the government would not jettison its plans to improve their standard of living as a matter of top national priority.

According to him, the government is appreciative of the sacrifices of the serving, retired and unknown soldiers who paid the supreme price towards safeguarding the nation’s territorial integrity.

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