Home Blog Page 1790

Omoyele Sowore allegedly shot by police in Abuja

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Omoyele Sowore allegedly shot by police in Abuja

Nigerian activist and leader of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore has been reportedly shot at the Unity Fountain Abuja.

NewsWireNGR gathered that the activist and one time presidential hopeful was shot while trying to gain entrance into the place.

Sowore was said to have been speaking with a detachment of police officers stationed at the public facility when a yet to be identified policeman allegedly shot at the crowd and he was hit

Protesters had converged on the fountain at 8:30am. But the police reportedly denied them entry into the venue.

However, he has been taken to the hospital for medical treatment from the gunshot wounds he sustained. According to a report of the event by a human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, the FCT Police command had gated the Unity Fountain with iron and cables to prevent protesters from entering the civic space.

In a series of tweets, he said, “Omoyele Sowore has just been shot by a female police officer at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.

“The criminal officer is said to be an ACP. I watched Sowore being shot live on Facebook.

“This is what Nigeria has been turned into under Buhari. They’ve declared war on the Civic Space.

“The FCT Police Commissioner has fenced the Unity Fountain with iron and cables to prevent protests.

“It is not yet clear whether the officer fired a gun or a teargas cannister. What is clear is that Sowore was directly targeted.”

 

Recall that Sowore, who contested the 2019 presidential election was arrested alongside four others on New Year eve for leading a protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja against bad governance in the country.

The protest tagged #CrossoverWithProtest, saw many Nigerians holding candles and a placard showing their grievances against the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

He was tried for alleged criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and inciting public disturbance by engaging in a peaceful protest on new year’s eve.

A chief magistrate in Wuse 2 Abuja, however granted him bail in the sum of N20 million, with two sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a civil servant not below grade level 12.

Just In: Gunmen kill former Enugu high court judge

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Just In: Gunmen kill former Enugu high court judge

Unknown gunmen on Sunday night shot dead, a former judge of Enugu State High Court identified as Justice Stanley Nnaji.

The deceased, from Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State, was shot severally beside the Enugu Diagnostics Centre, by Ebeano Tunnel, after he was double-crossed and dragged out of his Mercedes Benz Jeep.

The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mohammed Ndatsu Aliyu, confirming the said he has ordered the launch of a full-scale manhunt for the yet-to-be-identified gunmen, who equally carted away with the deceased’s vehicle.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command, Daniel Ndukwe, the Commissioner stated that the victim was rushed to the hospital, where he was confirmed dead by doctors on duty and deposited in the mortuary for autopsy, adding that the incident took place at about “1700 hrs.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner, while assuring that no stone would be left unturned in fishing out perpetrators of the heinous crime, called on residents of the state to remain law-abiding, vigilant and assist the Police with useful information that will lead to the arrest and prosecution of the assailants.

Justice Nnaji was a Judge of the Enugu State High Court until he was dismissed following his alleged role in the removal of Governor Chris Ngige, the then Governor of Anambra State in 2007 through a questionable ex-parte order.

ECOWAS Suspends Mali after second Coup

NewsWireNGR
-
0
ECOWAS Suspends Mali after second Coup

The emergency session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), held in Accra Ghana has suspended Mali from the regional body until the country reverts to civilian rule.

This was contained in a communique issued at the end of Sunday’s extraordinary summit.

ECOWAS also called on the junta in Mali to immediately nominate a civilian Prime Minister for Mali as well as release the country’s President and Prime Minister, currently being held by the junta.

As part of the resolutions at Sunday’s summit, ECOWAS also called for the formation of a new inclusive government, to conclude the earlier agreed 18-month transition period in the country.

The regional body emphasized the need for respect for democracy, which is the acceptable form of government across the world, as it stressed the need for immediate restoration of structures in Mali.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, who attended the one-day summit had since returned to Abuja.

Full Text Of Communique Issued At The Extraordinary Summit On The Political Situation In Mali

“1. At the invitation of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana and the current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government held an Extraordinary Summit on the political situation in Mali on 30th May 2021, in Accra, Ghana.

The underlisted Heads of State and Government participated in the Extraordinary Summit or their duly mandated representatives:


– H.E. Roch-Marc Christian KABORE, President of Burkina Faso;

– H.E. Alassane OUATTARA, President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire;

– H.E. Adama BARROW, President of the Republic of The Gambia;

– H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana;

– H.E. Umaro Sissoco EMBALÓ, President of the Republic of Guinea Bissau;

– H.E. George WEAH, President of the Republic of Liberia;

– H.E. Mohamed BAZOUM, President of the Republic of Niger;

– H.E. Muhammadu BUHARI, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;

– H.E. Julius Maada BIO, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone;

– H.E. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Togolese Republic.

– Mr Aurelien AGBENONCI, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Integration of the Republic of Benin;

– Mr Rui SOARES, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communities of the Republic of Cabo Verde;

– Mrs Aissata TALL SALL, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad of the Republic of Senegal;

– Mrs Moussoukoro SANGARE, Charge d’Affaires a. i. of the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in Ghana.

The following high-ranking personalities also participated in the extraordinary Summit:
– H.E. Goodluck Ebele JONATHAN, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, ECOWAS Special Envoy and Mediator to Mali;

– H.E. Jean-Claude Kassi BROU, President of the ECOWAS Commission; H.E. El-Ghassim WANE, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Mali, Head of the Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA)

The Extraordinary Summit was convened to review the prevailing socio-political crisis in Mali following the arrest, detention and subsequent resignations of the President and the Prime Minister of the Transition on 26th May 2021, as well as to determine the next line of action for the transition.


After the presentation of the report by H.E. Goodluck Ebele JONATHAN, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and ECOWAS Special Envoy and Mediator to Mali, the Heads of State expressed strong and deep concerns over the present crisis in Mali, which is coming halfway to the end of the agreed transition period, in the context of the security challenges related to incessant terrorist attacks and the Covid-19 Pandemic with its dire socio-economic impacts.


The Heads of State demand the immediate release of the former President and Prime Minister of the Transition who are kept under house arrest.


The Heads of State strongly condemn this recent Coup d’Etat, which is a violation of the decisions taken at the extraordinary Summit held at the Peduase Lodge, Aburi, Ghana on 15th September 2020 and a violation of the Transition Charter.


After extensive discussions on the situation in Mali, the Heads of State and Government took the following decisions:
Reaffirm the importance and necessity of respecting the democratic process for ascending to power, in conformity with the 2001 ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

They particularly condemn all actions that led to ongoing instability in Mali, and its attendant consequences in the region;


Decide to suspend Mali from ECOWAS Institutions in line with ECOWAS provisions;


Call for a new civilian Prime Minister to be nominated immediately;


A new inclusive government should be formed to proceed with the transition programme;


Reaffirm the need to respect the transition period of 18 months decided in Accra. In this context, the date of 27th February 2022 already announced for the Presidential election should be absolutely maintained. A monitoring Mechanism will be put in place to this effect;


Reiterate the earlier decisions that the Head of the transition, the Vice-President and the Prime Minister of the transition should not, under any circumstances, be candidates for the forthcoming Presidential election;
Reaffirm ECOWAS’ support to accompany the transition process in Mali.


Urge all international partners (the African Union, the United Nations, and the European Union) to continue to support Mali towards the successful implementation of the transition;


Congratulate and encourage the Mediator to persevere with his mediation efforts and remain seized of the situation in Mali through the Local Monitoring Committee.


The Heads of State call for the immediate implementation of all these decisions in conformity with the transition timetable defined. To this end, they urge the Mediator to return to Mali within a week to engage stakeholders on these decisions.


The Heads of State express their gratitude to His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana and the current Chair of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), for convening this Extraordinary Summit on the political situation in Mali and for the facilities made available to ensure the successful conduct of the extraordinary Summit.”

Ex-presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, buried in Abuja

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Ex-presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, buried in Abuja

The remains of Ahmed Gulak, the former presidential aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan, has been laid to rest.

He was buried at the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja on Sunday night, May 30, at about 8pm. His funeral service was held at the National Mosque, Abuja in accordance to Muslim rites.

NewsWireNGR had earlier reported how Gulak was killed while driving to the airport on Sunday, May 30.

The gunmen intercepted and attacked a Toyota Camry cab carrying Ahmed Gulak and two others at Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Airport who were on their way to Sam Mbakwe Airport to catch a flight.

According to a statement issued by the police on Sunday night, his killers were killed when they engaged police in a gun battle.

The police stated further that the suspected killers were rounded up at Afor Enyiogugu junction in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area. The hoodlums were met distributing onions to locals from a trailer they confiscated. The trailer was loaded with onions from the Northern region of Nigeria.”

It explained that on sighting the police, the hoodlums providing security coverage to those sharing the onions opened fire on the Police teams.

Just in: Zamfara youths in violent protest against banditry, kidnapping

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Just in: Zamfara youths in violent protest against banditry, kidnapping

Angry youths armed with weapons have staged a violent protest along the Gusau – Kaura Namoda Highway in Zamfara State, NewsWireNGR has learnt.

According to a report from Channels Television, the protesters occupied the road very early on Monday over the incessant attacks by bandits in their communities.

One of the commuters who was trapped along the road explained that the youths blocked the highway along Kurya junction and began to destroy public vehicles travelling along the road.

The protesters lamented an increasing spate of murders and kidnappings that the people in the state have suffered at the hands of emboldened bandits.

More details shortly …

Just hours after mass abduction of students, Niger State Governor travels abroad

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Just hours after mass abduction of students, Niger State Governor travels abroad

Less than 48 hours after the kidnapping of scores of children in an Islamic School in Tegina town in Rafi local government area of Niger state, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has traveled out of the country.

The Governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel Berje, said the trip was to explore all possibilities of strengthening the state security architecture.

The statement explained the Governor is expected back soon but has given directives to security operatives and government officials to ensure the safe return of the abducted Tegina Islamiyya children and others.

“The Governor, who is expected back in the country within the shortest period, has assured the rescue and safe return of the children.

“Governor Sani Bello also assured all Nigerlites that Government will continue to do all it can to protect the lives and property of its citizens while guaranteeing the continued peace and stability of the state.

“While assuring the parents of the abducted children of their safe return as the security agencies have been directed to do all it can to bring back the children as soon as possible, the Governor also urged the citizens to cooperate and share intelligence and information that will help in the quick rescue of the children,” the statement reads.

The statement further explained the Governor has directed a situation room be reactivated to update the public of happenings and government.

NewsWireNGR reports that at least 200 students of an Islamiyya school located at Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have been abducted.

One person was shot dead while another lays critically injured after gunmen carried out the kidnap operation at about 4:30pm on Sunday.

Niger Abduction: 11 Students have been released by the abductors

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Niger Abduction: 11 Students have been released by the abductors

Eleven students who were part of scores kidnapped earlier from an Islamiyya school located at Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have been released.

Their release was announced late Sunday evening in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the state governor, Mary Noel-Berje.

Ms. Noel-Berje noted that the released children were deemed too small and couldn’t walk, and this prompted the kidnappers to release them.

She also stated that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello expressed shock and is saddened by the recent reports of abduction of innocent people by armed bandits in several communities across three Local Government Areas of Rafi, Wushishi, and Bida.

Speaking further on the kidnapping, Governor Bello said it is outrageous that banditry in the state is escalating. He reiterated his emergency call on the Federal Government for prompt intervention.

“The situation has reached crisis level, in fact, it’s a war situation that we have to confront without further delay,” the governor said while noting that the state government is still searching and conducting a house-to-house headcount to ascertain the exact number of children abducted at Tegina.

Police say the murderers of Ahmed Gulak have been killed

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Police say the murderers of Ahmed Gulak have been killed

The Imo State Police Command say the killers of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ahmed Gulak, have been killed and ammunition and vehicles have been recovered from them. 

According to a statement issued by the police on Sunday night, =some of the arms recovered from the attackers included three AK 47 rifles, one pistol, five AK 47 magazines with 92 rounds of live ammunition.

According to the statement, “Eyewitness account, especially the account given by the driver of the vehicle that was conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport before the attack, gave a vivid description of the assailants and the vehicles they used in carrying out the attack.

“The assailants were said to have used a Toyota Camry 2005 model with silver color; Toyota Sienna 1998 Model with golden color; Toyota Hilux with white color; and a Lexus RX 330 with golden Color. (Registration numbers are withheld for security reasons).

“Having established the identity of the assailants and the description of the vehicles used in carrying out the attack, the teams further got details of the direction the hoodlums have taken. With further leads, the team was able to establish the location of the suspects.

“The suspects were rounded up at Afor Enyiogugu junction in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area. The hoodlums were met distributing onions to locals from a trailer they confiscated. The trailer was loaded with onions from the Northern region of Nigeria.”

It explained that on sighting the police, the hoodlums providing security coverage to those sharing the onions opened fire on the Police teams.

“The gallant and battle-ready Police Officers swiftly returned the fire. The six hoodlums who carried out the killings and four other members of their gang were fatally injured,” the security agency added. “Three out of the four vehicles used in attacking Gulak were recovered.”

Gulak was killed around Umueze Obiangwu in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area close to the Sam Mbakwe Airport road in Owerri, Imo State on Sunday morning.

Ahmed Gulak was a “loyal public servant” and will be remembered for his contributions to democracy – Former President Jonathan

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Ahmed Gulak was a “loyal public servant” and will be remembered for his contributions to democracy – Former President Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed shock over the death of Ahmed Gulak, his ex-special adviser on political matters.

Gulak was killed by gunmen while returning to Abuja from Owerri, Imo state capital, on Sunday. In his reaction, Former President Jonathan praised the deceased as a “loyal public servant”, expressing how hurtful the death made him.

The statement was released by Ikechukwu Eze, a special adviser on media to the former president.

It reads: “I received with shock the death of Alh Ahmed Gulak who died on Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Owerri, Imo State.

“Gulak was a loyal public servant and dedicated patriot who gave his all in service to his country. His death is a painful loss to me and many others who worked and interacted with him.

“He will be remembered for his modest contributions to the growth of our nation’s democracy, especially his memorable days both as a skillful speaker of Adamawa State House of Assembly and political adviser in our administration.”

Jonathan then offered commiserations to the family and loved ones of the deceased.

“My deepest condolences to his family, the government and the people of Adamawa state, who are bound to feel the loss of this eminent and patriotic Nigerian.

“May God grant his family, friends and supporters solace, even as I appeal for calm while law enforcement bodies carry out their investigations.”

Lawmakers suspend constitution review hearing in Imo and Abia States

NewsWireNGR
-
0
Lawmakers suspend constitution review hearing in Imo and Abia States

The House of Representatives has suspended its constitution review hearing in Imo and Abia States, Deputy Speaker of the House, Idris Wase, has said.

Wase, who is also the Chairman, House Special Committee on Constitution Review, announced the suspension in a statement he personally signed on Sunday.

The statement read, “The House of Representatives Special Committee on Constitution Review Zonal Public Hearing scheduled to take place in Owerri Central (Imo and Abia States) on Tuesday, 1st and Wednesday, 2nd June, 2021, has been suspended until further notice.

“The Committee regrets any inconveniences this might cause our esteemed invited guests, stakeholders and the general public.”

The suspension of the constitution review hearing in the two South-Eastern states followed the sadistic killings and destruction of police states, and other government assets in the two states.

INEC confirms another attack on its office in Imo

NewsWireNGR
-
0
INEC confirms another attack on its office in Imo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has again confirmed an attack on one of its offices in Imo State.

The electoral body announced the attack in a statement on Sunday.

According to the report, the office is in Njaba Local Government Area old Imo State.

“Although no life was lost, the building was substantially burnt down, along with electoral materials, office equipment and furniture,” Festus Okoye, the commission’s spokesperson, said.

The attack is coming exactly a week after the INEC office in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of the State was vandalized. It is also the 8th INEC office to be attacked in Imo State since the 2019 General Election.

The total number of INEC offices attacked nationwide since 2019 has now risen to 42.

Okoye said on Sunday: “INEC buildings, infrastructure and equipment are critical national assets that guarantee the continuity of electoral activities throughout the federation.

“Attacking these offices is not in the national interest and has the capacity of compromising electoral activities and the credibility of the democratic process.”

“To avert a total breakdown of law and order” – Ex-Militant leader, Government Tompolo gives Buhari 7-day ultimatum

NewsWireNGR
-
0
“To avert a total breakdown of law and order” – Ex-Militant leader, Government Tompolo gives Buhari 7-day ultimatum

Ex-Militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, on Sunday, issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to inaugurate the substantive Board of the Niger – Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Tompolo, Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw nation, in a statement, said: “I wish to call on Mr. President, members of the National Assembly and security agencies to work towards the constitution of the substantive board of the NDDC, within a few days, to avert a total breakdown of law and order that will equally affect crude oil exploration and exploitation activities in the region.

His words: “I hereby proclaim a seven- day ultimatum starting the date of this publication to inaugurate the substantive board of the Commission.”

“Senator Akpabio’s temporal reprieve from the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) protest is a child’s play compare to what is to come in a few days. He is about to be awakened to the rage of the Niger Delta region,” he warned.

The ex-militant leader, who had remain silent in the creeks of Delta state after Federal High Court, Lagos, dismissed the charges against him, stated: “I have watched and observed with keen interest the circumstances surrounding the constitution of the NDDC board for some time now. I would have continued to keep watching and observing, but for love of the region and the country.”

“The continuous running of NDDC by a sole administrator at the instance of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio, is undemocratic and anti-development, hence unacceptable to the people of the region. The people of the region are averse to a one man show in a commission that is supposed to attend to the developmental needs of nine states, namely, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.  It will likely set the region on fire, sooner than later.

“The Act establishing the Commission provided among other things that it will be administered by a Board comprising of a Chairman, Managing Director, Executive Directors and Commissioners who will be drawn from the nine states that made up the region.

“However, this provision has been blatantly undermined by Senator Godswill Akpabio and his co-travelers in the Presidency. There is no provision for either Interim Management Committee or Sole Administration in the Act that establishes NDDC.

“Common sense will tell you that the so called forensic audit that has been used by Senator Akpabio to strangle the commission and it could still be best conducted with a substantive board that brings all representatives from the nine states and other parts of the country,” he added.

1...1,7891,7901,791...4,398Page 1,790 of 4,398