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Police arrests Nasarawa Governors aide, others, for vandalism

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Police arrests Nasarawa Governors aide, others, for vandalism

The Nasarawa State Police Command has arrested the Special Adviser on Infrastructure to Governor Abdullahi Sule for vandalising railway tracks and slippers in Lafia and Keana local government areas of the state.

The Command also arrested two police officers, personnel of the Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps, a former Supervisory Councillor on Education in the state, Mohammed Isiaka, a principal technical officer of the railway corporation covering the Agyaragu area of the state, Samuel Shagbaor and a Chinese citizen.

The series of arrests were disclosed by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe, on Thursday in Lafia, while parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters.

Longe further said one Nathaniel Bob, a legal adviser to a Chinese company was also arrested for attempting to bribe the police with N600,000 to secure the release of his client but the bribe was rejected.

“Nathaniel Oba ‘M’ 48 years old – Principal Partner Nathoba & Co a law chamber in Benin City and the legal adviser to Yong Xing Steel Company Nigeria Limited offered six hundred thousand naira cash to bribe the investigating team of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to secure the release of his client,” Longe said in a statement.

“Two other persons, Yusuf Ahmed and Abubakar Nuhu said to be owners of trailers used to transport the stolen railway slippers also allegedly tried to bribe the police with N160,000 for the release of their vehicles. They are however in custody for conspiracy.

“Based on the information at the disposal of the Nasarawa State Police Command from multiple sources, which all indicated that criminal elements have turned the Nigerian railway tracks that traverse some major cities and villages in Nasarawa State en route to Benue state to gold mines where they vandalise and cart away rail tracks/slippers.

“Consequently, the State Police command developed a strategic anti-vandalism template to arrest the tide of this unwholesome scenario.

“It is gratifying to note, however, that, this template paid off on 16/5/2021 at about 0130hrs and 24/5/2021 at about 0300hrs respectively when police operatives swooped on the vandals at their theatre of operation while vandalising and carting away railway tracks/slippers along Agyaragu Tofa in Lafia LGA and Angwan Alago of Kadarko district in Keana LGA.”

We will leave a better Nigeria for you – Buhari assures

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We will leave a better Nigeria for you – Buhari assures

In commemoration of the Children’s Day celebration, President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday hosted some children visitors at the State House and promised to leave for them a better Nigeria.

The President revealed this in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu on Thursday.

According to the statement titled, ‘Our greatest legacy is to give you a better country, President Buhari tells Nigerian children’ , Mr Buhari described the children as precious blessings.

The statement read, “As part of the activities to commemorate Children’s Day, observed on May 27, the President hosted a group of Nigerian children at the State House.

“The short ceremony witnessed the cutting of a ‘national cake’, a guided tour of the President’s office, meeting rooms, banquet hall and the zoo at the Presidential Villa.

“Describing children as precious blessings who should be nurtured to carry the burden of the society in the future, President Buhari, after spending a memorable time with his august visitors, bid them farewell, saying: ‘Bye-bye, see you next year.’”

‘There is no way the south-east should continue to have only five states’ – Governor Wike

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‘There is no way the south-east should continue to have only five states’ – Governor Wike

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has asked the national assembly to consider the creation of an additional state in the region during the ongoing constitutional review.

The Governor said this during a courtesy visit by the by the senate sub-committee on the constitutional amendment for the south-south.

“There is no way the south-east should continue to have only five states. It is very unfair. Since other regions have six states, the south-east should be made to have six states.” he said.

He also urged the national assembly to shun political interference in the ongoing constitutional review, adding that the focus should be on prioritising national interest.

“I think this is an opportunity for members of the national assembly to say they are working for the interest of Nigeria and not for the party they belong. Because at the end of the day, if anything happens to the country, you will all be affected,” he said.

The House of Representatives Special Committee on Constitution Review is currently holding zonal public hearings taking place across the country’s six geopolitical zones.

The Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, who is the chairman of the special committee on constitution review, had appealed to members of the committee “to always put Nigeria first and work for Nigeria to ensure it delivered for the country the best constitution”.

He revealed that the members of the committee would be posted outside their zones “to have a feeling of what obtains in other geopolitical zones”.

“One in three Nigerian girls are sexually abused” – UNICEF says as the world marks children’s day

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“One in three Nigerian girls are sexually abused” – UNICEF says as the world marks children’s day

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that this year’s Children’s Day comes at a challenging moment as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the number of girls that are being sexually abused.

UNICEF stressed that violence is carried out against one in four Nigerian children and the longer the pandemic goes on, the more intense its impact. He said, Poverty is rising, inequality is growing, and the pandemic has often disrupted the essential services that secure the health, education and protection of children and young people.

However, UNICEF’s Country Director, Peter Hawkins, in a statement on Thursday, said children are resilient, talented, and aspire to do great things.

“Violence is perpetrated against one in four Nigerian children – and one in three Nigerian girls are sexually abused. This has only increased during the pandemic”.

He stated, that, “a learning continuum is critical so that all children continue to get an education irrespective of their situation, location, or the pandemic”.

“It has been a challenging year for us all with the COVID-19 pandemic – not least of all, Nigeria’s children – and I want to commend efforts at all levels of Nigerian government and society to protect education, health, and protection services in response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children.” his statement reads in parts.

According to him, it is the responsibility of the government to give them the platform and encouragement to grow.

He added, “We know that protecting children and investing in women and families is not only the right thing to do – it has proven to be a sound economic choice and a cost-effective tool for national development”.

“As we celebrate our children today, we must act in their best interests and deploy innovative solutions to fast-track learning and health services to build back better, for every Nigerian child.” he concluded.

Cholera Outbreak: 7 die in Gombe

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Cholera Outbreak: 7 die in Gombe

The Gombe State Government has confirmed the deaths of seven people due to the outbreak of Cholera in Kalajanga Village and Garko Ward of Akko Local Government Area of the state.

Briefing Journalists in Gombe on Thursday, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, said so far 32 cases had been treated and discharged, while six others were still on admission receiving treatment.

Dr Dahiru said ”the Cholera outbreak was confirmed after a laboratory test confirmed the sample of a two-year-old child in Kalajanga Village, Akko Local Government Area had cholera.”


He said the Public Health Emergency Operation Centre of the Ministry received the surveillance report of the suspected case and the Rapid Response Team was immediately deployed, which subsequently confirmed the case, after a laboratory test.

Dr Dahiru said; ”a free treatment centre for cases had been established at the Bogo Model Primary Health Care centre.”

The Gombe State Commissioner of Health said the ministry had also activated a multi-sectoral Incident Management System for a prompt and coordinated response to the outbreak.

He reminded the public that Cholera can be prevented by using clean water, consumption of hygienically prepared meals, particularly uncooked food, while encouraging personal hygiene and environmental sanitation to prevent cholera.

Dr. Habu said; ”Cholera is characterised by severe Diarrhoea and vomiting, which can be fatal, if prompt and urgent actions were not taken toward the management of cases and the effective prevention control, its spread becomes easy in an area.”

INEC Chairman says a disruption to the electoral process would undermine Nigerian democracy

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INEC Chairman says a disruption to the electoral process would undermine Nigerian democracy

Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, warned that a disruption to the electoral process would undermine Nigerian democracy and destabilise the country.

Yakubu made this known at an emergency meeting with security agencies, under the auspices of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, in Abuja on Thursday over the serial attacks on the commission’s offices and facilities especially in the south-eastern part of the country.

The Federal government has, however, vowed to deal with criminals attacking INEC.

Yakubu said, “No doubt, the last few weeks have been very challenging to the commission. The spate of arson and vandalisation targeting the commission’s facilities and property has become a major threat to our scheduled activities and the entire electoral process.

“In the last two years, the commission has recorded a total of 41 incidents involving deliberate attacks on the commission’s facilities. Nine of these incidents happened in 2019 and 21 cases in 2020. In the last four weeks, 11 offices of the commission were either set ablaze or vandalised. Two of these incidents were caused by Boko Haram and bandit attacks, while 10 resulted from thuggery during election and post-election violence.

“However, the majority of the attacks – 29 out of 41 – were unrelated to election or electoral activities. In fact, 18 of them occurred during the #EndSARS protests in October last year, while 11 attacks were organised by ‘unknown gunmen’ and ‘hoodlums.’”

The INEC boss said the commission was assessing loss of materials to recent attacks, with the preliminary assessment so far indicating that 1,105 ballot boxes, 694 voting cubicles, 429 electric generating sets and 13 utility vehicles – Toyota Hilux pick-up vans – had been lost.

“By working together with the security agencies, we can stop these attacks and the wanton destruction of critical electoral assets,” he stated.

Yakubu further said, “These attacks, which initially appeared as isolated and occasional actions, have now become more frequent and systematic targeted at demobilising and dismantling critical electoral infrastructure in the country.

“This will not only undermine the commission’s capacity to organise elections and other electoral activities but will also damage the nation’s electoral process and democracy. Indeed, these attacks on the Commission’s facilities should now be treated as a national security emergency.

PROFILE: Meet Nigeria’s New Chief of Army Staff Major General Faruk Yahaya

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PROFILE: Meet Nigeria’s New Chief of Army Staff Major General Faruk Yahaya



The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Faruk Yahaya was born on 5 January 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state. Maj Gen Yahaya who is a member of the 37 Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), started his cadet training on 27 September 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on 22 September 1990. 

Maj Gen Yahaya has held several appointments including Staff, Instructional and Command.

Notable among the appointments held by the new COAS are Garrison Commander Headquarters Guards Brigade, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Deputy Director Army Research and Development and the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield. 

He also served as the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Commander, Headquarters 4 Brigade and 29 Task Force Brigade (Operation Zaman Lafiya). He was also Director Manpower at the Army Headquarters, Military Secretary, Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

Until his appointment as the COAS, Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria. 

The new COAS is a proud holder of several honours and awards, some of which include, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Grand Service Star, Passed staff course (Dagger), National DefenceCourse (Chile), Economic Community of West Africa State Monitoring Group Medal, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, General Operations Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal and Golden Jubilee Medal. He is happily married and blessed with children.


‘Passport Offices will open from 6am to 6pm to clear backlog’ – NIS

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‘Passport Offices will open from 6am to 6pm to clear backlog’ – NIS

The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Mr Muhammad Babandede, said passport issuing offices all over the country will stay open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily to clear the backlog of applications.

Babandede also announced an increase in its production capacity of the passport booklets to beat the May 31 deadline set to clear backlog of passport applications.

He announced this while briefing journalists on the NIS passport reforms and recruitment exercise on Thursday in Abuja.

He said that the passport production centres across the country were working round the clock to clear the backlogs before the commencement of the new passport regime on June 1.

NIS boss also gave assurance that the service had enough booklet, adding that a total of 23,903 passports were currently awaiting collection by the applicants.

According to him, more than 35,000 passports had been produced in the last few days, with about 22,840 collected, 23,903 not collected and 28 damaged.

“The major challenge we have now is not booklet but production capacity and we have added two production lines to Ikoyi and Ibadan centres,” he said.

He warned that the any officer involved in passports racketeering would be dealt with going forward, adding that the erring officers were partly responsible for the uncollected passports.

On recruitment, NIS boss said that the current recruitment exercise was the best ever in immigration and assured all applicants of transparency and fairness.

He said that the exercise was being carried out in the six geopolitical zones of the country to take 4,000 applicants out of 6,005 applicants invited.

‘Ordinary President: NBC Sanctions Human Rights Radio; suspends broadcast license

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‘Ordinary President: NBC Sanctions Human Rights Radio; suspends broadcast license

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has suspended the license of Human Rights Radio.

The radio station, and it’s owner and star presenter, Ahmed Isah has been under fire since the BBC Africa Eye exposed how he assaulted a woman who appeared on his show.

The woman, who was accused of setting a young girl’s hair on fire over a witchcraft allegation, had feigned ignorance when Isah questioned her.

After several attempts to make her confess ended in futility, Isah slapped the defenceless woman while on camera.

In an interview with NAN last week, Mr Ekanem Antia, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, NBC, said Isah had been invited for explanations.

The deputy director further explained that the invitation would enable the commission to know the circumstances surrounding the situation that led to the assault.

Following the public backlash, Isah on his radio show last week Wednesday, said he allowed his emotion to take over him.

He said: “I apologise to everybody that I have offended in one way or the other. Please, I’m a human being. I’m bound to make mistakes. I was triggered by the zeal and passion in me” he had stated.

However in a statement released today,Thursday, the management of the NBC said it reviewed the events and noted the unreserved apologies and regrets expressed by the broadcaster.

“The Commission states, however, that the action of the broadcaster is in clear violations of the Broadcasting Code and a betrayal of the confidence reposed on him by the people and Government of Nigeria on whose behalf he holds the radio license in trust.

“Section 0.1.1.2.1 of the Broadcasting Code provides in the Social Objectives of Broadcasting that Broadcasting shall – ‘promote generally accepted social values and norms, especially civic and social responsibilities; and encourage respect for the dignity of man’.

“It also provides that broadcasting organisations shall recognize that they exercise freedom of expression as agents of society, not for any personal or sectional rights, privileges and needs of their own or of their proprietors, relatives, friends or supporters.

“It is important to state that the Commission has over the years, advised, cautioned, warned and fined the station over repeated cases of outright abuse, denigrating remarks, intimidation and flagrant abuse of ethics of fairness, balance and fair hearing on the station. It is also on record that the Commission had conducted several training and retraining programmes for the station and the host of the Brekete family programme especially.

“The Commission has therefore in line with the sanction provisions in 15.5.2 of the Broadcasting Code, ordered the suspension of license of the broadcaster until the broadcaster commits to ethical and professional broadcasting. The suspension order is effective Monday the 31st of May 2021, at 12.00am.

“The order shall last 30 days during which it is expected that the broadcaster will put its house in order and attune itself to responsive, professional and responsible broadcasting. It shall also pay a recommencement fee as provided for in section 15.5.1 of the Broadcasting Code at the end of the suspension period.

“The NBC appreciates the popularity of the station and the fact that it has in many cases tuned its programming to the yearnings of the people. The Commission however has a sacred duty to promote decency, professionalism and respect for the dignity of all citizens by all Broadcasters in Nigeria.”

Repentant bandits in Zamfara surrender 887 locally made guns, AK-47 magazines, other weapons

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Repentant bandits in Zamfara surrender 887 locally made guns, AK-47 magazines, other weapons

The Zamfara state government has revealed regard repentant bandits and a local vigilante group known as Yansakai have surrendered eight hundred and eighty seven locally made guns, two hundred and three sophisticated weapons, two thousand five hundred and sixty six live ammunition.

Over two thousand kidnap victims were also said to be released by their abductors without ransom through the state government peace and dialogue initiative with bandits and the assistance of some repentant bandits

The state Commissioner for Security affairs Abubakar Dauran stated this while addressing a press conference in Gusau, the Zamfara state Capital

He said the successes were recorded following the introduction of peace dialogue and reconciliation initiative with bandits in the state

He adds that through the efforts of the repentant bandits the state has recorded huge successes, adding that the Matawalle’s Administration will continue to engage other bandits to lay down their arms and tow the path of peace.

The state government said, despite the recent resurgence of banditry in some parts of the state, it will not relent in its continuous onslaught against the activities of criminal elements

While commending the efforts of security agencies in curtailing insecurity, the State Government expressed sadness over the attitudes of some security operatives.

Abubakar Dauran said, there’s urgent need for security operatives to do more in responding to distress calls.

Buhari appoints Senator Basheer Mohammed as new NAPTIP DG

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Buhari appoints Senator Basheer Mohammed as new NAPTIP DG

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Senator Basheer Mohammed as the new Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

Garba Shehu, Presidential spokesman, announced this in a statement on Thursday.

Shehu said the president also approved some key changes under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

Shehu said the action was taken in order to realise and sustain government’s abiding desire for effective and efficient service delivery in the two organisations.

The statement said Mrs Imaan Suleiman Ibrahim who was until now the Director General of NAPTIP will now take over Mohammed as the Honourable Federal Commissioner for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

Shehu added that the President further directed that the changes should be effected after comprehensive handover notes to successors.

PDP alleges attack, killing, labelling of Its members in Ebonyi

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PDP alleges attack, killing, labelling of Its members in Ebonyi

The Peoples Democratic Party has raised the alarm that its members in the Ebonyi State Chapter of the party are being attacked, harassed and killed.

The party stated that those behind the atrocities are sponsored by agents of the state government.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan and released to journalists on Thursday.

Read the full statement below:

The attention of the People’s Democratic Party has been drawn to the harassment, intimidation and unfounded criminal allegations against our members and stakeholders in the Ebonyi State Chapter of our party.

During a recent courtesy call on the Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. Dave Umahi in Abakaliki by the Police Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 9, Mr. Okon, the governor openly and without any investigation, criminally accused prominent leaders of our party, including Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, Senator Sam Egwu, Chief Ali Odefa, Hon. Linus Okorie among others as sponsors of banditry and violence in the State.

It is already common knowledge that agents of the Governor Umahi-led administration had gathered known cultists and thugs and armed them with dangerous weapons including pump action riffles to be unleashed on innocent citizens, particularly members of the opposition.

These agents of APC government in Ebonyi State have also resorted to using the thugs to disrupt the meetings of our party as well as foist a reign of terror in the state, wherein thugs have taken over the streets and openly extort money from helpless motorists.

Only recently, a member of our Party, Barr. Amos Ogbonnaya, who refused to join Governor Umahi to the APC was abducted and later released with life threatening injuries after much public outcry. He is still in the intensive care unit of the hospital.

Though Ogbonnaya recognized his abductors as state government agents, and reported to stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

 Change’ at a traditional wedding ceremony.

Similarly, on Friday, 4th of December 2020, three prominent supporters of @OfficialPDPNig from Ugwulangwu in Governor Umahi’s own LGA were arrested on trump-up charges of being cultists.

In the same vein, Chief Henry C. Udeh (Ajim Best), from Okposi in Ohaozara LGA was brutally attacked for daring to hold @OfficialPDPNig meeting in his own house, and many valuables, including vehicles were destroyed.

Just now, we received a report that a member of our party, Prince Anyigor Methuselah KS, of Ezza North has been abducted and is reportedly being kept at the Cabinet Office of the old government house in Ebonyi State.

Our party further alerts Nigerians of Governor Umahi’s resort to labelling opposition voices in the state as cultists and terrorist elements as a ploy to victimize members of our party as well as incite federal security agencies against our leaders.

Governor Umahi’s suppressive government is now sealing off homes and businesses of APC members, all in a bid to cow and silence them.
A hotel belonging to former Governor Sam Egwu has been sealed up while a private school belonging to another member of the APC, Barr. Friday Agbom, was also sealed on trumped up charges.

As a party, we are worried over the vexatious disposition of Governor Umahi towards the opposition, dissenting voices and other innocent citizens in the state; a development that has heightened security concerns and capable of triggering a huge crisis that can destabilize the state.

The action of the APC led government has also foisted a reign of terror in the state, crippled economic activities and brought untold hardship to the people.

Since Governor Umahi realized that he is alone in his political voyage in the APC, he has been in distress, having been left in the cold and as such seeks to decimate the opposition and disrupt peaceful coexistence in the state.

Our party counsels Governor Umahi to have only himself to blame for his self-inflicted political woes, instead seeking to drag down and destroy the entire state because of his botched political ambition.

The APC also cautions Governor Umahi to note that the people of Ebonyi state can never be intimidated or cowed by the APC and its external backers, who are looking for every means to cause mayhem and ruin the state for their political gains.

Our party calls on all our members in Ebonyi to remain calm even as we caution Governor Umahi to note that human history has always shown that there is a limit to which a people can bear in the face of open aggression and intimidation.

It is therefore imperative for the Inspector General of Police as well as the military high command to note the antics of the Umahi-led administration in the state and take urgent steps to protect the innocent citizens so as to save the state from imminent collapse.

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