World News

Demolish kidnappers’ houses, Soludo orders security agents.

No Comments

The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s directive that all kidnappers and other criminal gangs’ hideouts be raided and buildings harbouring them be destroyed has been carried out in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
Men of the state Joint Security Task Force on Saturday demolished an old bungalow at Oba, which allegedly belonged to suspected kidnappers.
The hideout had earlier been raided on Friday and exhibits such as locally-made pistols, shrine items, charms, concoctions, Indian hemp and other incriminating materials were recovered at the building, while some arrests were also made.
Soludo commended the efforts of the task force personnel, saying the action would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.

Soludo, who addressed journalists at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, warned criminals terrorising the state that they would have no place to hide again as security operatives had been empowered to fish them out wherever they were in the state.
The governor explained that it had been established that the demolished building was being used as a den for criminal activities, stressing that the government policy did not allow any criminality to reign in the state.
He warned that henceforth, in line with the law, criminals would have no place in any part of the state.

Home

News

Sports

Metro Plus

Subscribe

Search the site

Search for:
punchng.com © 1971-2020 The Punch newspaper

PunchNG Menu:

Video

Spice

Special Features

Education

Sex & Relationship

Interview

Columns

Opinion

Privacy Settings

Demolish kidnappers’ houses, Soludo orders security agents

Ikenna Obianeri

12 June 2022

Kindly share this story:



Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo

The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo’s directive that all kidnappers and other criminal gangs’ hideouts be raided and buildings harbouring them be destroyed has been carried out in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
Men of the state Joint Security Task Force on Saturday demolished an old bungalow at Oba, which allegedly belonged to suspected kidnappers.
The hideout had earlier been raided on Friday and exhibits such as locally-made pistols, shrine items, charms, concoctions, Indian hemp and other incriminating materials were recovered at the building, while some arrests were also made.
Soludo commended the efforts of the task force personnel, saying the action would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.

Soludo, who addressed journalists at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, warned criminals terrorising the state that they would have no place to hide again as security operatives had been empowered to fish them out wherever they were in the state.
The governor explained that it had been established that the demolished building was being used as a den for criminal activities, stressing that the government policy did not allow any criminality to reign in the state.
He warned that henceforth, in line with the law, criminals would have no place in any part of the state.

Soludo gave an assurance that his government was determined to ensure that the state was safe for everyone, and that people could move freely around without fear of molestation.
He also applauded the cooperation of some people in the state who had been volunteering information, adding that every stranger was suspicious until their job was confirmed to be legitimate.
“Any building being used for criminal activities will be brought down and confiscated by the government. I appeal to the people to be security conscious at all times and report strangers and criminals operating in their communities to security agencies,” he stated.

A gang of kidnappers were traced to the hideout by the police following an attack and subsequent kidnap of two persons at Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, and two other persons in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of the state.
The gunmen had entered Oko through Nanka for a kidnap operation and were about to succeed but for the prompt intervention of the police special force acting on a tip-off, with the personnel engaging them in gunfire.
One of the suspected kidnappers was killed, while others escaped with varying degrees of injury.
The killed gunman, whose video went viral on social media, was identified as a former vigilante who was part of a four-man gang involved in high-profile killings and kidnapping in the area.

Politics, World News

Running mate: Atiku, PDP panel decide Tuesday, Tinubu may pick Muslim.

No Comments

Ahead of Friday’s deadline for political parties to submit the names of their presidential candidates and running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission, most of the political parties are making hurried moves to beat the deadline.
The commission had said it would not extend the deadline for the submission of the names of the candidates and their running mates.
In the Peoples Democratic Party, the committee set up by the party to advise it on the most suitable running mate for Atiku Abubakar will hold its final meeting on Tuesday, Sunday PUNCH reliably learnt on Saturday.
The panel, which comprised governors, National Working Committee members, former governors and Board of Trustees members, was given the mandate of recommending to the party the best candidate that would be acceptable to many Nigerians and help the party win the February 25, 2023 election.

In the ruling All Progressives Congress, it was also learnt that the party and its candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, might settle for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, given the party’s difficulty in finding a Christian from the North, who would boost the party’s chances in the election.
A top source in the party told one of our correspondents on Saturday that even though consultation was still ongoing, the idea of picking either Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State or the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, who are both northern Christians, was no longer topical due to their limited clout in the region.
The source noted that North-West and North-East had the bloc votes in the region and that if the party could not find a stronger Christian from the two sub-regions, it might settle for a Muslim.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday’s meeting of the PDP panel, a reliable source, who is also a member of the panel, told one of our correspondents that the committee adjourned its previous meeting to enable members to broaden their consultation.
“The deadline for submission is June 17, so the meeting was adjourned till Tuesday, June 14, to give room for more consultation and unification efforts. They will take a final decision on Tuesday,” The source said.
It was gathered from other sources in the party that Atiku, who is a BoT member, would also be part of the meeting, and that the party might take a final decision on the issue.
“Our presidential candidate will be part of the meeting on Tuesday and the major organs of the party are represented as well, so the decision there is as good as final. The announcement may be delayed to ratify the choice and of course we will watch what the other parties will come up with,” one of the sources stated.
Okowa favoured, Wike, Udom make PDP final list
There are strong indications that the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, is favoured to emerge as Atiku’s running mate as the candidate is said to be favourably disposed to the choice of Okowa, a medical doctor serving his second term as the governor of the oil-bearing state.
Other persons being considered and who are interested in the slot are governors Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State and Nyesom Wike of Rivers State. Wike was the first runner-up during the party’s presidential primary held on May 29, 2022.

A top source in the party, who is also close to the candidate, said, “Atiku will consult very well. He has met with the governors on the platform of the party; he has met with members of the national caucus, the PDP Governors’ Forum, members of the National Executive Committee, and even former presidents and heads of state.
“The leadership of the party asked him to bring three names that he thinks he could work with and he did, which are the names people have been mentioning everywhere; Wike, Okowa and Udom Emmanuel. But I think he prefers Okowa. He (Okowa) is believed to have the support of the majority of the governors, including those from the South-East and South-South, where he hails from.
“The preference for him is also strategic. Following the need to carry along the South-East people, Okowa is Igbo from the Igbo part of Delta State. He is calm, a medical doctor and does not insult or fight people, including his colleagues. Even during campaigns, he’s not the type to speak ill of fellow aspirants or candidates.
“Therefore, it’s not likely that there will be any major opposition to his choice. Like I said, he is Igbo and he will create that needed balance between the South-South and the South-East. The Igbo will support him and people in the South-South will also support him.”
There are also insinuations that some PDP governors were against the choice of Wike as Atiku’s running mate.
On why Wike, who was a major contender for the presidential ticket, was not considered, the source, who was privy to some of the meetings held over the issue, told Sunday PUNCH, “Some governors frustrated the move to make him the running mate. They feel he is too powerful. But in all honesty, you need someone like Wike to win the election.
“He can fight dirty and can pull the crowd. But some of the governors, who form a powerful and influential bloc in the party, feel otherwise and you cannot dismiss their views.”

The source said a new twist to the search was the view of some stakeholders that the running mate should come from the South-West.
He added, “As it is now, it is very likely for Tinubu to pick his running mate from North-West. We must not forget that the majority of the votes are from the North-West and South-West. That is where the bloc votes are.
“What some stakeholders are saying is that if he does, it will be dangerous for the PDP to totally ignore the South-West, because North-West, which has the highest votes, may give Tinubu that advantage.
“Now, people are saying if a Christian from the South-West is Atiku’s running mate, it will affect Tinubu’s votes in the region, because running with a Muslim/Muslim ticket will spark outrage from Pentecostal Christians and that will affect his votes among even the northern Christians. It will also affect him in the South-South. That is the argument. So, the PDP cannot also ignore the South-West.”
To deepen his consultation, Atiku met with former PDP governors on Friday after he had met with former ministers. He wrote on his Facebook page that the responses from all the stakeholders that he had met reinforced his belief that the party would win if the unity was sustained.
APC considers Bagudu, Shettima, Ganduje, El-Rufai
Fresh information emerged on Saturday that the Tinubu camp had ruled out Lalong and Mustapha, who is from Adamawa State, and might settle for a core Muslim northerner, regardless of their advantage of being Christians.

Politics, World News

Buhari writes APC governors, seeks support for Tinubu

No Comments

“Our candidate, His Excellency, Sen, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is no stranger to you. So now is the time for all of us to come together and march forward, as we did in 2015, to a convincing APC victory.”

President Muhammadu Buhari has asked the Progressives Governors’ Forum (PGF) and other party members to work together and ensure victory for Bola Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the party.

Mr Buhari, in a letter addressed to the Chairman of PGF, Atiku Bagudu, the governor of Kebbi State, said Mr Tinubu is no stranger to the governors.

The excerpts of the letter was released by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu, on Thursday.

In the letter, Mr Buhari commended the Kebbi State governor, who served as the chairman of the election committee of the just-concluded convention, for his professional and efficient conduct of the primary election.

“I was pleased to see how you were very professional and efficient in handling the sensitive political position of Chairman Progressives Governors Forum.

‘‘Your commitment in pursuit of equity and fairness speaks volumes in the cooperation displayed by APC Governors. This indeed demonstrates the camaraderie that brought us together over 8 years ago.

‘‘The party primaries were peacefully conducted and the delegates have selected the candidate to carry the APC flag in the 2023 Presidential Primaries,” he said.

The president said he looks forward to working with the governors to ensure Mr Tinubu wins the 2023 election.

‘‘Today, as a patriotic APC member and stakeholder, I trust that you will come together to work with our candidate to win the 2023 elections.

‘‘In the past 7 years in government, we have achieved a lot. However, we have a lot more to do. The APC project is far from over and we need all of you to come together to ensure our progressive journey to peace and prosperity is sustained.

‘‘Our candidate, His Excellency, Sen, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is no stranger to you. He is our friend and brother. We know his commitment, his track record, and his capacity to lead our party to success. So now is the time for all of us to come together and march forward, as we did in 2015, to a convincing APC victory.

‘‘I look forward to working closely with APC Governors to support Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all our APC candidates to success in 2023.

‘‘While I wish our great part success in the 2023 elections, please accept, the assurances of my consideration and personal regards,” Mr Buhari said.

Mr Tinubu emerged as the flagbearer of the APC after defeating 13 other aspirants, including Mr Buhari’s deputy, Yemi Osinbajo.

The vice president got a paltry 235 votes to come third behind Mr Tinubu, who amassed 1,271 votes and former Minister Rotimi Amaechi, who got 316 votes.

Eight persons also stepped down from the presidential race at the convention ground with seven of them endorsing the former Lagos State governor and one supporting Mr Osinbajo.

World News

Ogun police arrest man for raising false alarm.

No Comments

Men of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested one Wakilu Ogundairo for allegedly raising a false alarm on alleged Boko Haram invasion through a WhatsApp voice note.

Ogundairo was accused of raising a false alarm of Boko Haram terrorists’ invasion of Imosan-Ijebu in the state.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP, Abimbola Oyeyemi, disclosed this on Thursday in a statement.

Oyeyemi said the suspect circulated the false alarm on social media, thereby causing panic among law-abiding citizens.

He said, “The  suspect was arrested when the voice note went viral and people from all walks of life started calling the command’s emergency number, expressing concern  over the safety of their loved ones in Ijebu-Ode and Ogun State as a whole.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, then quickly directed the DPO Obalende Division to move into the area and find out the authenticity of the said WhatsApp voice note.

“In compliance with the CP’s order, the DPO Obalende Division, SP Salami Murphy, moved into the area for a thorough investigation.

“In the course of the investigation, it was discovered that the only people in that location were farm labourers from Benue State who are carrying out their legitimate business devoid of any form of violence.”


World News

Lagos mob burns 30 okadas, beats motorcyclist for killing pedestrian.

No Comments

There was tension on Thursday when an angry mob burnt over 30 motorcycles on Jakande Estate, Isheri Road, Lagos State, after an okada rider crushed a man to death.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the yet-to-be-identified okada rider was plying one way when he rammed into the victim, who was standing by the roadside at First Junction Bus-Stop.

The victim was said to have died due to the impact of the collision.

Our correspondents learnt that youths angered by the incident protested against the victim’s death.

World News

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered tactical and intelligence Commanders of the Force to deploy assets towards tackling perpetrators of illegal bunkering and other economic crimes.

No Comments

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered tactical and intelligence Commanders of the Force to deploy assets towards tackling perpetrators of illegal bunkering and other economic crimes.

According to the IGP in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters Abuja, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the actions of the perpetrators are responsible for sabotaging and weakening the revenue-generating apparatus of the country.

He also stressed that it has become worrisome due to the huge losses being recorded, hence, all efforts must be deployed to curb their activities.

The IGP issued the directive on Thursday while charging the newly appointed Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering (IGP-STFPIB), ACP Lot Lantoh Garba, to improve on the fight against economic crimes.

ACP Lot, a gallant and courageous officer, has served in various operational command positions including as Commanding Officer, Special Protection Unit (SPU) Bases 5 – Benin, 7 – Abuja, and 2 – Lagos. He was equally a one-time Commander, Police Mobile Force (PMF) 23 Obalende, Lagos.

Upon assumption of office, ACP Lot set the ball rolling with some significant successes such as the breakthrough in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, where operatives on surveillance patrol intercepted a 40-feet Container Truck conveying a large quantity of crude products suspected to be illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) stuffed in sacks.



The truck with Registration Number JRV 322 XV was driven by one Chukwudi Okafor aged 54 year-old, who has been arrested in connection with the offence. Preliminary investigations showed that the driver is a member of a high-powered syndicate responsible for illegal bunkering in the area and beyond, and the arrest of the driver has definitely provided a lead to the arrest of other members of the syndicate.

The recovered truck with the accompanying product is currently in police custody at the Refinery Life Camp Division, Eleme, pending the conclusion of investigations. The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, warned police operatives attached to the Task Force to be focused, committed, and patriotic. He charged them to discharge their duties devoid of corruption, favouritism, and compromise.

The IGP further warned all economic saboteurs to cease their unwholesome activities henceforth else they would be made to face the full wrath of the law. The Force has also noted that it is deepening synergy with other agencies in internal security, to curtail the trend of these crimes and other forms of crimes and social vices in the country.

Entertainment, Football, World News

AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Labour To Beat Sierra Leone In Abuja.

No Comments

Nigeria’s Super Eagles on Thursday achieved a 2-1 victory over Sierra Leone in a Day 1 encounter of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series at the MKO Abiola Stadium on Thursday.
The Leone Stars, who fought gallantly to come back from four goals down to tie the match 4-4 in an AFCON qualifier against Nigeria in Benin City in November 2021, showed they mean business as early as the 4th minute when a rasping shot from Mohamed Turay was tipped over the bar by Francis Uzoho.
Two minutes later, a good pass by Aribo was followed by a teasing cross from Calvin Bassey but Victor Osimhen’s header failed to find the target.  In the 10th minute, a brilliant pass from Sadiq Umar found Osimhen, whose shot drifted away.
At the other end, just a minute after, Jonathan Morsay scored a stunning goal with a diving header from a beautiful cross by Musa Kamara.

Four minutes later, the advantage could have been stretched for the visitors when they hit the upright on another counter-attack.
However, in the 16th minute, Nigeria were level when an exchange of passes between Alex Iwobi and Moses Simon ended with the former emphatically finding the far corner of goalkeeper Mohamed Kamara’s post.
Three minutes later, Kamara saved a strong Moses Simon header, and in the 35th minute, Musa Kamara came close with a stinging grounder as the visitors swarmed forward once more.
Four minutes before halftime, Osimhen scored Nigeria’s second when he drove the ball into the roof of the net from a Simon header off Ola Aina’s cross from the right.
In the second half, the game flowed from one end to the other, but Nigeria should have made it 3-1 in the 58th minute when Iwobi ansd Osimhen carved open the visitors’ defence, only for Samuel Chukwueze to get too much purchase on his shot and drag it wide.
Aribo, Osimhen and substitute Ademola Lookman all missed chances as Nigeria pushed for another goal, but in added time, it took Aribo’s last-second intervention to deny the Leone Stars.
The Eagles pocket three points and are top of Group A, as they head to Agadir, Morocco for their Day 2 encounter against the ‘The Falcons and True Parrots’of São Tomé and Príncipe on Monday evening.

Lifestyle, World News

I woke up from a coma to find my fiance had ghosted me and moved in with someone else – Woman reveals.

No Comments

A woman has narrated how she woke up from a coma to find her fiance had ghosted her and moved in with someone else.
 
25-year-old Brie Duval further revealed that the new woman also sent her a text message which she read after she woke up.

 
The Australian lady who has racked up millions of views on her @hotcomagirl1 TikTok account, said she went into coma after a horrific accident she had last August. 
 

She had moved to Canada working in her dream job and had been in a great relationship with her partner for four years – and she claims they’d even got engaged. However, on August 29, 2021, she had a horrific fall from a car park. 
 
One of the walls was under construction, and Brie hadn’t seen the large drop to the concrete pavement beneath in the dark as there was no signs or tape.

 
She fell headfirst over the edge and had to be airlifted to the University of Alberta Hospital where she was placed on life support in the ICU.
 

She suffered numerous broken bones and a brain injury, and was in a coma for four weeks. Doctors told her mum that she only had a 10 per cent of surviving the injury. 
 
Thankfully Brie started to show signs of improvement, and she eventually woke up. Although she suffered amnesia when she woke up, she started to piece together the events of the evening.

 
Her mobile phone was returned to her, but what she found on it was heartbreaking.  Her partner, who she had been living with, reportedly blocked her on social media and ghosted her completely.
 

She also found a text from his new girlfriend, which informed Brie that he had moved in with her and her son and to not speak to him.
 
Brie told Mirror; 
 

“I have not heard from him since I have been in hospital, he’s completely and utterly left me in the dust. So I don’t even have closure as to why this happened.”

 
Five months after the accident, Brie who was left with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), was able to fly home to Australia to be with her family.

Politics, World News

$25,000 Presidential Delegate Bribe Can Pay 3 Years’ Salaries Of Nigerian University Professor – Group.

No Comments

Anon-governmental organisation, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), says that the $25,000 bribe reportedly paid to some presidential primary delegates each can pay three years’ salaries of a Nigerian university professor.
 
Intersociety regretted that such an amount could be paid to induce delegates while university lecturers had been on strike for close to four months over poor remuneration and funding of schools.


The group said, “The monthly remuneration (basic salary and allowances) of a Professor of Nigerian University presently stands at N416, 000 or N15m for three years.”
 
A statement by the group on Wednesday, signed by its Board Chair, Emeka Umeagbalasi; Head, Democracy and Good Governance, Chinwe Umeche, among others, said it was no longer going to be business as usual.
 
They noted that unlike in the past elections such as in 2011 and 2019 when some leading northern political players hid under religious extremism to organise and sponsor post-election mayhems targeted majorly at members of the Igbo ethnic nationality and their Trado-Judeo-Christian faith; the electoral umpire must get it right in 2023 to “avoid the explosion of post-election tsunami of unquenchable proportions across the country”.
 
It alleged that through the INEC conspiracy, “millions of eligible voters of old Eastern Nigeria and Midwest residents in the North-Central States of Plateau, Benue, Niger, FCT, Kogi and Nasarawa; Northeast States of Borno, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe; Northwest States of Kaduna, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa and Kebbi; and Southwest States of Lagos and Ogun were denied and are still being denied demographic or registration and voting centre accessibility for them to be captured as voters and allowed to vote during elections.
 
“During the 2019 Presidential Poll, they were targeted and destructively attacked in Lagos, Plateau, Taraba, Kaduna, Kano and several other parts of the country.
 
“Apart from millions of them disenfranchised during the past voter registration and revalidation exercises, millions of others were also chased away from polling booths in the February 2019 Presidential Poll with their properties worth billions of naira destroyed or burnt to ashes.
 
“Millions of members of the sedentary Southeast and South-South population have also been disenfranchised by INEC by deliberately denying them from being captured as registered voters with PVCs hiding under ‘technical hitches’ or at the polling units on the Election Day.
 
“These are sharply in contrast with what was obtainable in the North, especially its Muslim held areas where most of the eligible voters were not only captured to vote with PVCs but also millions of underage and illegal aliens were registered as voters with PVCs and allowed to vote during elections.”
 
It said that checks conducted in various registration centres across the country, especially in the Igbo Southeast and South-South have shown that the Commission is at it again by playing pranks on the ongoing voters’ registration.
 
“Apart from massive disenfranchisement through shrinking constituency delineation exercise in recent past, especially in Igbo and Christian populated areas in the North and the Southwest, acute shortage of registration machines and manpower, especially in the named areas have been reported in the ongoing exercise with less than 22 days to go.
 
“INEC has also shut down its website segments for fresh voters’ registration, revalidation and transfer but still advertises them to be open and operational. Long queues of massive prospective voters involving hundreds of thousands, if not in their millions have dotted most of the registration centres in the Southeast, South-South and Igbo/Christian held areas of the Southwest and the North.”
 
The group alleged that the situation is different in the Muslim dominated areas of the country where “PVCs are issued to their owners including children of underage and illegal aliens by proxies including through Village Heads”.
“In several places monitored in Onitsha South, Onitsha North, Idemmili North, Ogbaru and Aguata in Anambra State, for instance, a price tag of between N2, 000 and N5, 000 is additionally imposed for getting to be registered,” it said.
 
It further stated, “These are some of the Commission’s undoing in its ongoing electoral midwifery capable of pushing millions of Nigerian youths/revolutionary voters from ‘Ballot Revolution’ to ‘Street Revolution’. These, INEC must desist from continuing to do and must have them frontally redressed and put to an end before it is too late.”

Politics, World News

Enugu Bans Commercial Motorcycle, Tricycle Operations In Two Council Areas Over Killing Of Policemen.

No Comments

The Enugu State Government has banned the use of commercial motorcycles (popularly called Okada) and tricycles (Keke) in the Igbo-Eze South and Igbo-Eze North council areas of the state from 6 pm to 6 am daily.

This comes after a security meeting over the recent upsurge in the activities of gunmen in the affected areas.
SaharaReporters gathered that the restriction was part of the agreement between the state government and the leaders of the Keke and Okada unions during the security meeting held on Tuesday night.

The tricycle and motorcycle riders’ associations in Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South LGAs have reportedly resolved to stop operating within the stipulated time.
In a statement signed by their leaders, the unions directed their members to desist from operating in the two council areas from 6 pm to 6 am, daily.

They also directed all Keke and Okada operators to withdraw their services in Aguibeje and Iyionu communities in Igbo-Eze North LGA with effect from June 7, 2022, till further notice.
The statement also requested security agencies in the state to enforce the resolutions to the letter.
SaharaReporters had reported how two policemen – an inspector and a sergeant were shot dead in the area recently.

Politics, World News

Tinubu coming at right time, says Segun Oni.

No Comments

The Social Democratic Party governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni, congratuled the newly elected presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu.
The PUNCH reports that Tinubu scored 1,271 votes to defeat his closest contenders, Rotimi Amaechi and Yemi Osinbajo.
Amaechi obtained 316 votes while Osinbajo polled 235.

He contested against thirteen other aspirants – Mr Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Ahmed Rufai, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Mr Jack Rich, Governor Ben Ayade, Governor David Umahi, Senator Ahmed Yarima, Dr Ahmed Lawan, Osinbajo, Amaechi, Governor Yahaya Bello and Mr Ogbonnaya Onu.

Nine aspirants had earlier stepped down, eight of whom asked their supporters to vote for Tinubu, while one asked his supporters to vote for Osinbajo.
Those who stepped down before voting began are Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa, Robert Boroffice, Ken Nnamani, Ibikunle Amosun, Dimeji Bankole, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and Godswill Akpabio.

But in a statement by the Chairman, Media Advisory Council, Segun Oni Campaign Organisation, Moses Jolayemi, Oni described Tinubu as “a detribalised leader and an astute politician of a formidable political trajectory”.

Oni further stated that Tinubu truly deserves his party’s confidence as demonstrated with a convincing win in the APC presidential primary.
While wishing Tinubu success in the task ahead, Oni said with the country’s current challenges, there was need for a leader in the mould of the former Lagos State governor.

“The myriad of problems confronting the nation at this time needs attention from leaders who are not only experienced but possess the necessary political will and vision to unite the nation across all ethnic and religious lines in order to restore the fast dwindling fortunes of our great country,” the governorship candidate said.

Politics, World News

He’s a hero of Ukraine’ -15 year old boy risks his life to help Ukraine military using his toy drones to locate advancing Russian convoys.

No Comments

A teenage boy who used his drone to help Ukraine’s armed forces locate and destroy a huge Russian convoy bearing down on Kyiv in the early days of the war has been hailed as a ‘real hero of Ukraine’.

Ukraine’s territorial defence unit contacted young drone pilot Andrii Pokrasa early in the war after hearing that the teenager was a highly skilled drone operator living near Kyiv.

Andrii Pokrasa, a 15-year-old boy who lives on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital, was approached by the military to help them find a Russian convoy, which was between the E40 highway between Kyiv and Zhytomyr. 
 
Despite the threat to his life, Pokrasa took his drone into a nearby field under cover of darkness and successfully obtained photos and GPS co-ordinates of the oncoming Russian convoy, which his father forwarded to Ukrainian military via social media. 

Minutes later, Ukrainian artillery rained down on the highway near Berezivka and obliterated the convoy roughly 23 miles away from the Kyiv city centre.
 
The move was so successful that the military handed the young boy the controls of a high-grade drone with a longer range which helped them to go ahead wnd destroy several Russian tank units and armoured vehicles as a result.

‘[Pokrasa] was the only one who was experienced with drones in that region,’ Yurii Kasjanov, the commander of a territorial defence unit that liased with the teenage drone pilot, said.

‘He’s a real hero. A hero of Ukraine.’
Pokrasa described the experience as being ‘very, very scary’, but said he wanted to prevent the Russian forces from attacking his home town.

The territorial defence force provided us information on where approximately the Russian column could be. 

‘Our goal was to find the exact coordinates and provide the coordinates to the soldiers… I gave them the coordinates and photos, and after that they targeted the location,’ the teenage pilot said.

Commander Kasjanov said his territorial defence unit offered as much protection to Pokrasa and his family as they could while the teenager carried out his vital work. 

Ukraine’s deployment of drones has been an integral part of their success in pushing back Putin’s forces from around Kyiv, and Military-grade drones, such as the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB-2, have helped Ukraine’s armed forces to inflict major losses on Russia’s motorised units since the war began.

Pokrasa told Global News he was aware of the risks involved and was afraid, but said he knew ‘I can’t do it any other way’.

Politics, World News

Buhari arrives APC convention ground.

No Comments

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari(retd), has arrived at the scene of the convention of the All Progressives Congress, The PUNCH reports.
Buhari, who arrived around 7:40 pm, came in the company of security operatives.
The PUNCH reports that Buhari had been under pressure as regards the choice of his successor.
Buhari, in a meeting with governors under the ruling APC, had noted that he would appreciate their support in choosing his successor.

In another meeting with aspirants, the president noted the need to reduce the number of aspirants.
Though the president in a statement released by his special assistant, Garba Shehu insisted that he would not impose any candidate.

The Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, noted that Buhari had okayed a list of five aspirants.

Lalong said, “The President told us any of these five (aspirants) is qualified to be president and have contributed to the party (APC). He said he is comfortable with any of them.
“Our recommendation is to enable us to give direction for the party as we go into the primary. We cannot go with everybody, but in our view, these are the people we think should remain.”

Politics, World News

Excitement as Tinubu, Osinbajo, Lawan arrive at APC primary venue.

No Comments

Frontline Presidential aspirants, ex-Governor Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Governor Kayode Fayemi have just arrived at the Eagle Square, Abuja, the venue of the Presidential primary of the All Progressives Congress.

The President, Major General Muhamadu Buhari (retd.), is expected to arrive any moment from now.
Other aspirants that had arrived earlier are: Rotimi Amaechi, Governor Dave Umahi, Governor Yahaya Bello, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Tein Jack-Rich, and many others.

Politics, World News

Crowd overpowers security officials, break-in into APC primary venue.

No Comments

There was nearly a stampede at the venue of the All Progressive Congress primary when the crowd overpowered the security officials on duty and gained access to Eagle Square, the venue of the convention.
The issue was quickly brought under control as another set of security officials went in to block the last gate to the venue of the national convention.


The PUNCH reports that the main entrance has become full of people, making it difficult for delegates to gain access to the venue.
After the main gate, are four other gates before final access to the last gate. The mob broke the third gate before security men quickly went to block the last gate.

As of 7 pm, many delegates are still locked outside the gate trying to find access to the convention ground.

Politics, World News

Three aspirants have stepped down for Osinbajo -Campaign DG.

No Comments

Director-General of the Yemi Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, Senator Kabiru Gaya has said that three aspirants have stepped down for the Vice President in the All Progressives Congress primary holding today June 7. 
 
This came after he told Channels Television that the list of Presidential aspirants in the All Progressives Congress has been trimmed to just two – Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and former Governor Bola Tinubu of Lagos State.

 
Gaya, who represents Kano-South senatorial district, failed to identify the three aspirants, only claiming that former Senate President Ken Nnamani who stepped down on Monday June 6, did so in honour of Osinbajo.

Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo


 
He said; 
 

“We have Vice-President Osinbajo and Bola Tinubu. I am aware that some aspirants have stepped down for Osinbajo. Nnamani and two others have stepped down for Osinbajo.”

Politics, World News

Over 300 Women Groups Give Buhari Government Four Weeks To Stop Killings In Nigeria.

No Comments

Women groups under the umbrella of Womenifesto, have given the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government a four-week ultimatum to stop killings in the country.
 
Womenifesto, made up of about 320 different women groups, gave the ultimatum in reaction to Sunday’s massacre at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, where terrorists attacked and killed no fewer than 22 worshippers.

The groups lamented the height of wanton killings across the country, stating that the Owo massacre was another evidence of blatant disregard for human lives by criminal gangs who have been marauding unchecked across Nigeria.
 
In a statement signed by Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, on behalf of the group, Womenifesto pointed out that report by Nigeria Security Tracker showed that across the country, over 3,515 people died as a result of violent attacks between January and June 2022, with 1,214 deaths recorded in March, ranking higher than the 996 deaths recorded in January.
 
The groups said the report revealed that at least 14,641 people have been killed across the six geopolitical zones of the country in the past three years; while in the first five months of this year, about 3,173 were killed and more than 2,293 abducted.
 
The groups said, “Women groups under the aegis of Womanifesto strongly condemn the attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo in Ondo State on the 5th of June, 2022 which left dozens of people, men, women and young persons dead and many others critically wounded.
“Our hearts go out to the families, friends and loved ones of all those affected by this vile and evil act. We also commiserate with the Catholic Community and the entire people of Ondo state.
 
“This cold-blooded massacre in St. Francis Church is yet another evidence of the blatant disregard for human life and the incessant murder of defenceless citizens by criminal gangs who have been marauding unchecked across our country.
“As a result, thousands of people are widowed and children orphaned. It is reported that over 3,515 people have died as a result of violent attacks between January and June 2022, with 1,214 deaths in March, ranking higher than the 996 deaths recorded in January (Nigeria Security Tracker).
 
“The Owo massacre in which citizens in their place of worship were killed, again raises the question of governance failure considering that our 1999 Constitution asserts security and welfare of citizens as a primary responsibility of the government.
“The same Constitution centralizes the command and control of security establishments in the Federal Government through the President of Nigeria as Commander-In-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces.
 
“According to a report, at least 14,641 people have been killed across the six regions in Nigeria in the past three years, and in just the first five months of this year, about 3,173 have been killed and more than 2,293 abducted in similar circumstances.
“Unfortunately, the failure of the government to properly investigate or take tangible actions to ensure justice or deter future occurrences continues to exacerbate the crises. Since its insurgence in 2009, the herdsmen and banditry attacks have risen exponentially as the government has failed to demonstrate the capacity to address the insecurity plaguing the country.
 
“We, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari, the Federal Government, the Nigeria Police and all other relevant Federal Law Enforcement Agency to take immediate measures beyond condemning this barbaric act- to end the insecurity in the country.
 
“Womanifesto demands in the medium term, a comprehensive restructuring of Nigeria’s security architecture through a National Conversation on a new Constitution to replace the problematic 1999 Constitution.
 
“In the immediate term, however, we demand the following actions by the federal and Ondo State Governments: Publish the identities of all the victims of the Owo tragedy including those that died as well as the injured.
 
“Demonstrate accountability and carry out a speedy investigation that is conclusive – leads to arrests, successful judicial prosecution and sentencing of the killers.
 
“Make immediate contact, provide constant updates, and appropriate succour for all the families of victims of the tragedy by the federal and Ondo state governments.
 
“Present as a matter of urgency, a state of national security status report to Nigerians in fulfilment of the constitutional duty of the President and the security agencies.
 
“Transparently communicate the performance of the security establishments in light of the huge budgetary provisions allocated annually to the counter-terrorism war.”
 
The groups stated that they found “The current fixation of Nigeria’s public officials and other politicians with the 2023 elections in a country which has many evident signs of being on the brink of collapse, an unconscionable, unkind, and cynical diversion of energy that should be focused on securing anxiety-numbed citizens.”
 
Further lamenting the seeming negligence of the deteriorating security situation in the country by the leaders, Womenifesto said, “We are shocked that our political leaders are continuing to ignore and downplay the rising trend of daily killings of Nigerians in states across the country at a dangerous time like this and instead, giving priority to their personal quest for power. This is utterly condemnable.
 
“We want our President, governors, and lawmakers across Nigeria to immediately cease continuing to ‘major in the minors’ and reprioritize the safety and security of citizens to the top of our national agenda. We demand that they focus on the existential threats bedeviling Nigeria and Nigerians now.
 
“Finally, we shall be monitoring the response of President Muhammadu Buhari, the federal and Ondo state governments to our demands. If by July 5th, 2022, we do not see any strong signs of progress on our five demands, Nigerian women will take every step necessary to stand for the preservation of the lives of our citizens.
 
“We emphatically declare that “Enough is Enough!”
The groups include 9jafeminista, Abiodun Essiet Initiative for Girls, Above Whispers Foundation, Action Aid Nigeria, ACTS Generation GBV, Ade Grange Child Foundation, ADEM Community Human Development Foundation, Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), Advocate for Health and Development Initiative, Advocacy for Women With Disabilities , African Women’s Initiative (AWI) and Albertiqs Extra Helping Hands Foundation.
Others include African Research Group on Gender, Association of ALIWE Daughters, Ajegunle Community Project, Ajoke Ayisat Afolabi Foundation, Alliances for Africa (AfA), Amazing Grace Inspirations, Aminchi Women Cooperative Society, Amnesty International Nigeria, ARDA Development Communication Inc., Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation., ASWHAN, ATATA Development and Empowerment Foundation (ADEF), Affirmative Action Initiative for Women (NCAA), Association of Nigeria Women’s Business Network (ANWBN), Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA), AWEP, ANWIB and Bring Back Our Girls.

Politics, World News

Court Restrains INEC, Lawan, Gbajabiamila On Participation Of Statutory Delegates.

No Comments

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has granted an order of interim injunction restraining the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Reps, INEC and three others from executing, enforcing or relying on the judgment delivered by Justice Mohammed Liman of a Federal High Court, Kano, on the 3rd of June, 2022.
The Appeal Court restrained them following an exparte application filed by the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Adamu Abdullahi.
The three others are Senator Mas’ud Doguwa, Hon. Habibu Sani, Hon Bilyamimu Shinkafi. All six are jointly listed as respondents to the suit.
On the 3rd of June, Justice Liman sitting in the Kano division of the court had held that statutory delegates can participate in primaries of political parties in accordance with the Nigerian constitution.
Justice Liman reached this decision while giving judgement in a suit filed by Doguwa, a legislative aide to Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Habibu Sani and Bilyaminu Shinkafi.
But the Court of Appeal on Monday restrained all the respondents and in particular, Doguwa, Sani and Shinkafi from relying on that judgment or doing anything inconsistent with the rights of the applicant with respect to organizing/conducting the convention of the APC in any manner the party may deem fit to so doing in accordance with its extant laws pending the determination of the suit seeking a stay of execution of the judgment of the 3rd of June.
The three-member panel of the Court of Appeal made up of Justice Simon Tsamani, Justice Stephen Adah and Justice Elfreda Williams-Dawodu, also granted leave to the applicant to serve the notice of appeal, the record of appeal, and all other processes on the 6 respondents. It adjourned to June the 9th for the hearing of the application.

Lifestyle, World News

Harry and Meghan release rare public photo of Lilibet.

No Comments

Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are giving a rare glimpse of their daughter in honor of her first birthday.
The couple released a snapshot of Lilibet on Monday, showing the smiling tot at her backyard birthday picnic at Frogmore Cottage in England with close friends and family members.
In a statement from a spokesperson shared with ITK, Harry and Meghan said they were “incredibly touched” by the birthday wishes from the public for their daughter, who turned 1 on June 4. Lilibet Diana’s name honors both Harry’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and his mother, Princess Diana.

The pair said that more than $100,000 was donated from all around the world to hunger relief organization World Central Kitchen in honor of Lilibet’s birthday. The Archewell Foundation founders said the organization was “especially near to their hearts,” citing World Central Kitchen’s efforts to provide meals in Uvalde, Texas, in the wake of a mass school shooting, as well as in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion of the country.
Harry and Meghan, who stepped down as full-time working members of the British royal family in 2020, are also parents to 3-year-old Archie.
The couple recently made headlines at their first public appearance in the United Kingdom since moving to Meghan’s home state of California two years ago, attending a service last week at St. Paul’s Cathedral for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebration, which marks her 70th year on the throne.

Close Menu

Privacy Policy