₦airaland Forum

A letter has shown that Prowess Engineering Limited, the company that began the construction of the building which collapsed in Ikoyi, Lagos on Monday withdrew from the project in February 2020.

The company withdrew its services on grounds that it no longer shared the same vision with its client believed to be Fourscore Heights Limited as addressed in the letter.

Prowess Engineering Limited, which had constructed two other buildings for its client, said it couldn’t guarantee the integrity of the third (collapsed building) from anything above the fourth floor.

The letter titled, ‘Re: Proposed Gerrard Terraces For Fourscore Limited,’ was signed by the company’s managing director, Muritala Olawale who confirmed its veracity to our Correspondent.

It read, “This letter is to formally inform you of the withdraw of our structural consultancy service from the above named project. We arrived at this decision due to the fact that we no longer share the same vision with you as our client in terms of how the project is being executed.

“We can guarantee the integrity of the first two buildings and also work done up to the fourth floor of the third building supervised by us provided specifications have been met in terms of the required concrete strength. This we do not have control over as we do not have the concrete cube test results of each stage of the building till date. Also, note that we are not taking responsibility for any other construction errors that may have occurred overtime on the project.

“We regret this decision and the lost opportunity to do business together. We look forward to future cooperation in other projects.”

Meanwhile, The PUNCH learnt that three survivors have been rescued while four dead bodies have been recovered from the rubble of the collapsed building as of the time of filing this report.

Failure of the governor Willie Obiano led Anambra State government to meet safty concerns was behind the suspension of Commissioning Anambra International Airport by Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), it has been learnt.

Contrary to claims by the state government that it met all requirements for the approval in line with international standards, when Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMET), it has been gathered that the airport project was poorly executed despite the huge amount of money

An independent investigative journalist, Samuel Okolo slammed the state government, saying the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has failed in every aspect of providing basis amenities in the state.

He said, “In a hurry to cover up all the Money Laundry in the state, Obiano and his likes came up with the story of building the airport, believe it or not, this is not what to call for celebration”.

“The governor should be ashamed of himself. He built a single airport for almost 8years and still not completed. It has consumed $2.2billion. I consider this as the biggest scam in Anambra state!”.

According to Okolo, Anambra state has been adjudged as one of the worst state with bad road network in Nigeria today, despite been among the biggest commercial centres in Nigeria who benefits from Nigeria’s Ecological Fund.

The state houses one of West Africa’s biggest markets—the Onitsha Main Market.

He said, “The All Progressives Grand Alliance, in Anambra state under the leadership of Willie Obiano is just a sharm and that Obiano has succeeded in bringing down a State that was on jet speed with amazing accelerating templates down.

“Today Anambra is struggling to breath like Lyod struggled to breathe in the hands of American Police. If ndi Anambra don’t vote out APGA in the November election, it will be a bad story for the state.

“I call on Nigerians to come to Anambra and see for themselves roads like, Ekwulobia, Oko, Isuofia and Igboukwu roads and see how they have been eaten up by deep erosion, with marks that look like aftermaths of earthquakes, this is even as the state”

“Governor Willie Obiano claims he is working but this is not evident in the uneven roads across the state”.

“To continue the fraud against the good people of Anambra state, Governor Obiano is planning to hand over power to Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, A Man who was indicted over his role in the $462 million scam involving Federal Government’s investment in the African Finance Corporation (AFC) during the previous administrations of former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and UmaruMusa Yar’Adua.”

Group known as PDP Renaissance Group, Tuesday condemned the position of the PDP Governors and other stakeholders on the embattled Former National Chairman of the party Uche Secondus.

In a statement made available to Vanguard, the Spokesperson of the group Arc. Oladipo Oladimeji Samson averred that the arrogance of PDP governors on the issue might collapse the party.

The group stated that the unguided statements by some leaders have also worsened the crisis in the PDP.

“We condemn in its entirety, the handling of the crisis rocking our great party, the People’s Democratic Party by our governors and other leaders. It is unfortunate that the governors are bent on forcing out a chairman whose tenure expires in two months”.

“Our leaders, instead of closing ranks and provide a formidable opposition against the ruling government, they are busy using a ward chairman who has no power to discipline the chairman and using the judiciary to legitimize their unconstitutional action”.

“Recently, a statement was credited to one of the South West governors, who boasted that nobody can stop the convention from holding. This unfortunate statement is an aberration and affront on the judiciary”.

“It is important to note that by PDP constitution, the ward cannot discipline a chairman and if this travesty is allowed to continue, it will set a dangerous precedence in our party. By the constitution of our great party, Secondus has a tenure that will last till December 9th. 2021. By our constitution, he is the one empowered by law to preside over processes leading to the convention and the convention itself.”

“The undemocratic attitude of the governors is what has worsened the crisis in our party. The Democratic coup that has just taken place which was intended to stop the chairman from presiding over the convention can be likened to asking a governor or president to resign six months to reelection.”

“Every incumbent has an advantage. If you don’t want him, use a Democratic means to vote him out.

“Finally, as a party which respects the rule of law and democratic values, we call on our leaders, especially the governors to stop making a mockery of our judiciary. As an opposition party, our focus ought to be how we can reclaim power, salvage the country from collapse and provide economic freedom for our people”.

However, an Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has fixed 28 October to determine whether the National Convention of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would be held as scheduled by the forces against Secondus.

Controversial politician Dino Melaye was lying and never emerged the best graduating student at Baze University, according to Convocation documents seen by Peoples Gazette.

The former senator who graduated with a second class lower had earlier claimed he was the “best graduating law student”, a lie peddled by one of his aide and corroborated by the politician on social media.

Mr Melaye’s aide Bode Gbadebo had first posted on Facebook that, “Senator Dino Melaye graduates from Baze University, emerges best graduating law student.”

However, the Baze University convocation list seen by The Gazette shows that Mr Melaye finished with a “weak second-class lower”. The ex-senator’s claim misled The Gazette and other outlets into publishing false report.

When The Gazette reached him on Sunday morning to ask him about his lie, he abruptly hung up the phone. Mr Melaye himself also didn’t return requests seeking comments about why he had to deceive Nigerians about his grades.

Mr Melaye’s dubious claim is despite residing abroad and rarely attending classes since losing his re-election into the national assembly in 2019. He was widely deemed as highly controversial for his combative conduct at the parliament, including numerous physical attacks on his colleagues.

An interest group, Advocacy for Social Justice (ASJ), has called on the Inspector General of Police in Nigeria, Usman Alkali Baba, to mandate Ogun State Police Command to find an unregistered Hilux bus impounded by the men of the Nigerian Police on Saturday when they arrested a gang of suspected hoodlums on which dangerous weapons were found during the congresses of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

In a statement released earlier today, the group gave the Ogun State Police Command to produce the vehicle within twenty-four (24) hours, after which the matter would be elevated if the plea was not heeded.

The group also tasked the IGP to show interest in the case to ensure justice is served in the case involving an aide of former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, and the suspected hoodlums reportedly loyal to the serving Senator, who have arrested for gun running and suspicion to cause mayhem in Ogun State during the congresses of the All Progressives Congress.

The gang was stopped, thoroughly searched and consequently apprehended by the Police while their bus was immediately impounded.

Upon interrogation, one of the suspect confessed they had been hired by an aide of Senator Amosun, Honourable Mikky Kazeem, to disrupt the congresses by inflicting carnage and wanton destruction on people’s property.

The call by ASK has become necessary after reports indicate that the impounded unregistered Hilux bus, which is major evidence, has since disappeared from where it was parked.

According to the group, the tacit complicity by the Police would not be ruled out “as the bus could not have been stolen or taken away without a trace without the connivance of someone in the Police.”

“We have it on good authority that a family member of a top politician in the state has been on the case and has been deploying resources to set the arrested suspects free and also attempt to compromise the on-going investigation into the activities of the suspects.”

“We therefore call on the IGP Usman Alkali Baba to show keen interest in the case and ensure that it is not swept under the carpet,” the group admonished.

Men of the Nigerian Police found one English Barreta pistol with breach no PT 92 AFS with five live ammunition and one locally fabricated revolver pistol on the suspected hoodlums in the Hilux bus. The suspects are: IBRAHIM AMOJE ‘M’, YUSUF AZEEZ ‘M’, OLAIDE SODIQ ‘M’, ADEWALE OGUNDELE ‘M’, FEMI OKE ‘M’, and BALOGUN OLAWALE DHIKRULLAHI ‘M’.

We all accept that the right to protest is a fundamental human right. At least we pay lip service to it. Upon review of the #ENDSars protest and matters arising from same, especially on the first anniversary of the inglorious day, we have our stars to thank for what could have dragged us into a revolution of the nature of the “Arab Spring”—which left a lot of North African countries destroyed. Yes, we have our scars, allegations of killings, destruction of properties, and general chaos. However, we are lucky to have somewhat of a country now one year after.

It is appropriate to pay obeisance to the memo of all those who suffered, died, got injured or lost valuable properties. In all, we must never forget what happened and what could have gone wrong and what lessons we need to learn from a near meltdown, the type of which some other locations would have had gory tails of woes and scars to show for it. In all, as we say here, we thank God.

Now to the crux of the matter. What are we going to do with Endsars, and what it represents! How do we #Reset our country? We have huge issues with our security, our policing structures, our nation-state concept, our governance philosophy and all. We have to tell ourselves the damn honest trust. We seem not to have moved quickly with the opportunity that the youth agitation presented. When the youth of a nation pick up the courage to organize themselves in such a protest of that magnitude, leaders must answer transparently and deliberately the questions that their protests throw up. We are duty-bound to understand that failing to do what we need to do, we will pay very dearly given the youth bulge and the unemployment issues of our country.


As for the civil societies and the professional protestors, it’s time to review and rewrite the playbook, for we must move to a level of decent descent; otherwise, we will destroy all things that we have observed from areas where an unmanaged meltdown in the name of protest had destroyed things that will take a lifetime to build. Indeed a great revolution must and is a combination of micro evolutions. Baby steps in the right direction will give us much more than great giant leaps into chaos. May the memories and lessons of the Endsars protests inspire us to Reset Nigeria.

Youth empowerment in the country on Wednesday received a major boost as Globacom announced its sponsorship of the world’s biggest dance reality television show, ‘Glo Battle of the Year’ in Nigeria.

The company unveiled details of the sponsorship of the show during a media briefing held in Lagos.

The telco explained that among the fantastic prizes for winners would be the rare opportunity to represent the country at the global stage of the competition.

Globacom’s Communications Director, Andre Beyers, who spoke at the event, said the show would offer unlimited opportunities for Nigerian youth to pursue their passion.

“In line with our commitment to promoting the Nigerian entertainment industry and youth talent development across the country, we are excited to unleash the unlimited potential of Nigerian dancers and provide the platform for them to showcase their abilities on the world stage,” he stated.

The Battle of the Year competition is an annual international breakdancing competition that began in Hannover, Germany, over 20 years ago.

The regional qualifying tournaments are held worldwide and culminate in the world finals, usually held in Germany, with over 12,000 visitors across the world. It is widely regarded as the World Cup of breakdancing.

On offer are N84 million for winners across seven dance categories and other mouth-watering prizes, including the opportunity to win the grand prize of representing Nigeria at the international Battle of the Year.

The promoters said the contests would air in a soon to be announced 13 part television show, “that will keep viewers glued to their screens and on the edge of their seats.”

Beyers further disclosed that local and international dance legends such as Poco Lee, Pinky Debbie, Izzy Odigie, Big Flo, Maxbuck, Dunamis, Franc Okwara, JC Jedor, Poxy (Cameroon), Gidnasty (USA), Menno (Netherlands), Manuela (Germany) would feature as judges throughout the show.

He urged interested dancers and dance crews to register for the competition. Participants would be required to upload a 30-second entry video on a dedicated website, after which the top 20 entries per region in each category would be selected.

The competition would take place across six states namely Lagos, Kaduna, Benin, Port Harcourt, Enugu, and Abuja.

Also, the CEO, House of Royalty, and Project Coordinator, Jolomi Kendaboh, who also spoke at the media briefing, said the competition was the preliminary to the annual International Battle of the Year breakdance championship.

“We are confident that with the backing and full support of Globacom, we would take the standard of the dance competition to the next level”, he said

. describes the award as a testament of the Governor's giantic strides

A frontline aspirant for the Ughelli North Constituency 2 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Oke Umurhohwo has hailed the award of Best Performing Governor on Infrastructure Development conferred on Delta State Governor, Sen. Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, as deserving and a reflection of the infrastructural imprints across the state.

This was contained in a congratulatory message signed by the Brand Manager on Saturday, noting that the award serve as a clear testament of the Governor's giant strides in the last six years.

Congratulating the Governor on this recognition, Hon Umurhohwo maintained that Delta state has witnessed massive turnaround in infrastructural development– a reality he said has been affirmed by the award conferred on him.

"I heartily congratulate His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, on his award as the Best Performing Governor on Infrastructure Development," Hon Umurhohwo said in a congratulatory message he personally signed, adding that "This award goes to confirm what we have all known for so long giving the monumental infrastructure upgrade that Delta State has witnessed under your leadership."

"In the last six years, step by step, stone upon stone, you have built an enviable record in transforming Delta State from what it was known to the glory it has now become. This is a feat that has seen you being hailed as the road master among many other recognitions from the people.

"Our schools, hospitals, roads and many other infrastructures have received deserving facelift, and now serves the people of Delta State. Posterity will not forgive me if I fail to point out the impressing turnaround that your infrastructural imprints has brought on Delta State. Indeed Ekueme, the award is undisputedly well-deserved.

"On behalf of my humble self, campaign the and Deltans in general, I say a heartily congratulations to you, your family and the People of Delta. It is my prayers that you continue to soar high, and the good Lord blesses you with the wisdom to achieve new things in the service of Deltans.

"Congratulations once more my Governor, and once more, you have brought pride to Deltans."

Almost a month after the Central Bank of Nigeria forced foreign exchange update platform, Aboki FX, to suspend its operations, the naira has failed to rise on the parallel market although it has stabilised, Saturday PUNCH has observed.

Worse still, the naira dropped by 2.6 per cent to N422 per dollar, hitting an all-time low on the official market on Thursday.

The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, had on September 20, 2021 accused Aboki FX of exchange rate manipulation, describing the platform as illegal and criminal.

Emefiele had said, “I have given instructions to our experts to go after his website and let it be clear that we will go after him, because we can’t allow this to continue.”

The platform had denied the allegations but suspended its updates, saying, “We sincerely hope this suspension will lead to the naira appreciation from next week.”

Nearly a month later, however, the exchange rate has continued to fluctuate between N570/$1 and N575/$1.

Our correspondent was informed that in Abuja on Thursday, the exchange rate stood at N572/$1 and N780/£1

The greenback crossed the N500 mark in July 2021 and continued to rise, hitting N570 in September.

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH on Thursday, a former Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr Muda Yusuf, said the development was evidence that Aboki FX was not the problem but more fundamental issues.

Yusuf, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, said, “The CBN needs to give the market a chance. Its current approach would continue to deepen distortions in the economy, perpetuate round tripping, fuel speculation, suppress Forex supply and boost underground economy. The problem is not with Aboki FX. It is essentially a policy matter.”

Yusuf attributed current happenings in the foreign exchange market to consequence of the CBN policy choice of a fixed exchange rate regime and administrative allocation of Forex.

“It is a policy regime that has created a huge enterprise around foreign exchange – round tripping, speculation, over-invoicing, capital flight etc. The action of the apex bank amounts to tackling the symptoms rather than dealing with the causative factors, which is not a sustainable solution.

“It is regrettable that the CBN does not believe in the market mechanism. Yet market systems are time-tested as instruments of efficient resource allocation in leading economies around the world. Of course, market failures are recognised in economics, and these are exceptions that can be identified and dealt with,” the former LCCI boss said.

The economist argued that suppressing the market is like swimming against the tide which is a difficult battle to win.

Yusuf added that moving retail Forex transactions from bureau de change operators to the banks is like kicking the can down the road.

“The same issues would manifest even with the banks,” he said.

I had the privilege to stumble on a report titled: “Pandora Papers: Inside Peter Obi’s secret businesses — and how he broke the law”. It was written by one Taiwo-Hassan Adebayoand published in Premium Times Newspaper on the 4th day ofOctober, 2021. Most Nigerian and indeed my humble self, had perceived Peter Obi to be an epitome of transparency, good governance, patriotism and economic astuteness. This perception heightened my curiosity to read through the article in order to discover the hidden secrets which the article had to bear against the former two term Governor of Anambra State and the Vice-Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the 2019 national election. Having read through the article, my lawyerly self queried whether Peter Obi actually violated the law as alleged in the article. This prompted my decision to dispassionately test the allegations against Peter Obi against the provisions of the law.

The allegations in the article basically bother on allegations of tax evasion and non-declaration of certain jointly owned assets by Peter Obi. It was argued that Peter Obi committed the offence of tax evasion by establishing a company outside the shores of Nigeria in “havens where little or no taxes are paid”. It was further argued that Peter Obi committed a crime by non-declaration of some of his jointly owned assets outside the shores of Nigeria and failure to resign from the board of directors of those companies 14 months after assuming the office of the Governor in Anambra state. These allegations shall be addressed seriatim.

It must be stated there is a world of difference between allegation, facts and evidence. Allegation are mere claims and assertion of a person’s wrong doing that are not yet proven. Facts are events that are confirmed or verifiable. While evidence are concrete facts used to support an assertion or a claim. At the moment, the claims of the Adebayo against Peter Obi are still within the realm of mere allegations. However, this article will proceed with the assumption without necessarily conceding that Adebayo’s claims against Peter Obi are factual, as the said Peter Obi still enjoys the presumption of innocence in his favour as protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This presumption stands unshaken until otherwise proven.

A cursory look at Adebayo’s article would reveal that the author seems to have confused tax avoidance for tax evasion. It is appreciated that both terms may easily be mistaken one for another or erroneously used interchangeably except for persons who are well informed about tax laws. In simply terms, tax evasion is an offence, whereas tax avoidance is not an offence. At this point, it must be stated that on the authority of Section 36 (12) of the Nigerian Constitution, a person shall not be held liable for an offence except such offence is expressly defined by a written law and a sentence specifically prescribed thereto. The case of George v. FRN (2015) All FWLR (Pt. 718) 879 is apt in this regard.

In Nigeria, tax evasion used in two sense. First, as a specific offence. Second, as generic expression for acts of tax non-compliance or violation of tax laws. Section 26 Value Added Tax Act 1993 and Section 164 Custom and Excise Management Act 1959 are the two known tax law provisions that specifically provide for the offence of tax offence. Every other tax offence, including, omitting or understating income in order to make incorrect return; failure to keep the required records; refusal or neglect to pay tax; dishonest declaration of income, earnings or assets; fraudulent tax returns, etc. are loosely referred to as tax offences. However, the definition of the “tax evasion” in the two aforementioned tax law provisions has nothing to do with a business man deciding which part of the country to invest his legitimately earned money. It would be preposterous and despotic for any government to even prevent any entity from making such business decision, when the same government do solicit for foreigners to invest in the Nigerian economy. Why should a Nigerian be penalised for deciding to invest his resources in other countries irrespective of the prevailing tax rate in that country? Indeed, the question to ask is: is there any Nigerian law that prohibits and penalises a Nigeria from investing in any jurisdiction outside Nigeria? Adebayo did not mention any. My guess is, he could not find any.

Business owners and entities ordinarily direct their business undertakings in such a way as to avoid financial liabilities including payment of tax. This is what is also known as tax planning. To quote Lord Clyde in the case of Ayrshire Pullman Motor Services and D. M. Ritchin v. Commissioner of Inland Revenue, (1920) 14 Tax Cas 754, 763–764: “No man in this country is under the smallest obligation moral or otherwise so to arrange his legal relations to his business or to his property as to enable the Inland Revenue to put the largest possible shovel into his stores. The Inland Revenue is not slow and quite rightly to take every advantage, which is open to it under the taxing statutes for the purpose of depleting the taxpayer’s pocket. And the taxpayer is in like manner entitled to be astute to prevent so far as he honestly can the depletion of his means by the Revenue. Every company has the option of carrying out tax planning in order to minimize tax liability within the law of the territory in which it operates”.

There are tax avoidance schemes that is even recognized by tax laws. Individuals or companies may avoid payment of tax by simply increasing its capital expenditure in order to reduce its taxable profit. In this instance, the company would be said to be taken advantage of section 24 of the Company Income Tax Act (CITA) which includes certain capital expenditures as allowable deductions. This would be regarded as measures taken to reduce its tax liability. Provided such act is not prohibited by law, the company cannot be said to have committed any tax offence.

Provided that a particular scheme to avoid or reduce tax liabilities are not prohibited by law, they are still within the realm of tax avoidance and no criminal liability can accrue thereto. The best the government can do to address the incidence of tax evasion is to identify tax avoidance schemes and then get the legislature to criminalise it. Then again, the legislative enactment criminalising such act has effectively moved from tax avoidance into the realm of tax evasion. Until there is a law prohibiting a Nigerian from investing outside the shores of Nigeria, Peter Obi cannot be said to have committed the offence of tax evasion or any other tax offence(s), however so called.

On the issue of non-declaration of jointly or partly owned foreign asset: the law which addresses this subject is majorly the constitution and the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act.Section 11 (1) (b) Part I Fifth Schedule to the Constitution Adebayo referred to requires a public officer to declare his properties, assets, and liabilities. The said provision did not specifically require the declaration of jointly or partly owned assets. It is appreciated that a public officer is required to declare his assets in view of the public trust reposed in the office they occupy. It would be irrational to expose assets that are partly owned by other individuals, when they are not the ones occupying the public office in question. Some business investors actually prefer to invest quietly, hence, a declaration of their jointly owned assets breach that business trust which they expect from their business partners. The otherwise could amount to a breach of the right to privacy and quiet enjoyment of the property of these individuals.

It is to be noted that Section 6 (b) of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act did not prohibit a public officer from holding an interest in a company. It only prevents the said public officer not to personally “engage or participate in the management or running of any private business, profession or trade”. To my mind this does not preclude a public officer to shut down his hitherto existing business or profession simply upon his assumption of public office. It would be unreasonable for the law to expect that of such public officer. Provided the public officer is not personally involved in administering the business while in office, he is in the right side of the law. The appointment of nominee directors by companies are legitimate and well known corporate law practice recognised by the Companies and Allied Matters Act. More so, Nigerian law recognises that companies have distinct personalities different from its shareholders and directors. As such, it is legally incorrect to say that a person owns a company. Adebayo failed to tie down Peter Obi’s personal involvement in the administration of the companies while occupying the office of the governor of Anambra State.

Eti Best Herbert is a legal practitioner and legal research consultant. He is the Head of Practice of Olive Branch Attorneys. He may be reach via: etiherbert@gmail.com

Nigerians have come to revere the flag as the symbol of the historic protest and vowed to amplify it every year in honour of civilians murdered by their own country’s soldiers flag on their profiles with rules violation.

The crackdown had been reported previously, but it intensified on Friday as Nigerians began a month-long advocacy to mark one year since the historic #EndSARS protest against police corruption and brutality

The flag made worldwide circulation last year after Nigerian soldiers deployed to quell the protest opened fire on protests in Lagos’ affluent Lekki suburb, killing at least nine civilians and wounding many others. The flag was used as a band-aid for some of the victims hit by the military bullets.

Nigerians have since come to revere the flag as the symbol of the historic protest and vowed to amplify it every year in honour of civilians murdered by their own country’s soldiers.

The lethal military response to a civil protest at the heart of Lagos was reportedly ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari, who has refused to allow justice for the victims or open investigation against possible culprits. The International Criminal Court has commenced investigation into the matter.

Several handles on Friday began reporting that they were receiving warnings from Twitter of rules violation after uploading the bloodied flag as their display image. The flag was captured at the scene of the deadly military operation on the night of October 20, 2020, near the busy Lekki Toll Gate.

The Gazette curated some of the complaints below.

We better not put too much trust in this called Twitter or its founder Jack. pic.twitter.com/KlmIVIZJcT
— Ayemojubar (@ayemojubar) October 1, 2021

Twitter said I can't use the endsars Nigerian flag as dp. Lol jack rake your time o pic.twitter.com/8H9We0CXRO
— Fludo 101 (@mj_ayoola) October 1, 2021

Who ever reported my previous Avi (blood stain Nigeria  flag)
You did well.
Twitter removed it.#EndSARS
— Ogochukwu  (@TheEmmalez) October 1, 2021

Please @TwitterSafety @TwitterSupport where is the violence in this flag?

If you see violence in this image, it means now you know what we are going through… Thank you for recognizing the injustices we suffer on a daily basis, we will forever be grateful for your support. pic.twitter.com/k0uDnyhA79

— Chris C #wahalabelike (@thedichotome) October 1, 2021

The development has fueled speculation that Twitter executives might have agreed to crack down on opposition voices to meet some of the draconian conditions set by the Buhari regime to lift its June 4, 2021, illegal ban on the social media giant in Nigeria.


Some pro-government handles have been asking Twitter to take down users with the bloodied flag on their profiles. It was unclear whether the handles received warnings after being reported by many pro-government users or if it was a deliberate decision on the part of Twitter.

@jack,@Twitter should be suspending any profile with or posting Stained  Flag. Freedom Of Expression doesn't mean Nonsense should be tolerated. Don't let children of anarchy pushed you to permanent ban in Nigeria. pic.twitter.com/vJXp3EveYm
— Ayinde_OmO_Yobe (@Ayinde2007) October 1, 2021

On September 3, Digital Africa Research Lab noticed that some handles were being warned against using the flag and asked users with similar experiences to report.

A spokesman for Twitter did not immediately return a request seeking comments from The Gazette on Friday evening.

Barça have suffered a second defeat in two games and from now on can’t afford any more slip-ups if they are to progress from Champions League Group E. Ronald Koeman’s former club, Benfica, took an early lead and although the Catalans had a host of opportunities to get back into the game, the Portuguese side were eventually able to build on that lead in the second half.

The result leaves Barça bottom of the group for the time being, but there’s a lot more football to be played, beginning with back-to-back games with Dynamo Kyiv on October 20 and November 2.

Early setback
Buoyed by an infectious atmosphere inside the Stadium of Light, the home side flew at Barça and Darwin Nuñez fired them into the lead after just two minutes. A finely crafted and finished goal by the Uruguayan, but anything but the start that Barça needed.

The blaugrana response was immediate. For all the remainder of the first half the big plays were all in the direction of the Portuguese goal and it is difficult to fathom how not one of them ended with the ball in the back of the net.

Frenkie de Jong, on the night of his 100th appearance for the club, set up his compatriot and namesake Luuk twice to no avail. Frenkie had a couple of pops of his own and there were fine chances for Pedri and Memphis too, but Barça were still trailing at the break.

That wasn't for lack of chances, but none of them had hit the target, and sadly that statistic wasn’t going to change after the break.

Benfica extend lead
Other than the goal, Benfica may have battled hard and well to keep the Catalans at bay, but they’d created very little threat of their own. They found new verve in the second half and the closest of a number of chances in quick succession came when Nuñez caught Ter Stegen well off his line and ended up hitting the post.

That had been a let-off, but on 68 minutes Benfica did stretch their lead. Barça had lacking their tight shape of the first half and an unmarked Rafa Silva was able to convert the rebound after a previous effort had been cleared.

And there was further woe ten minutes later when Sergiño Dest handled in the area and Darwin Nuñez poked the penalty home. Benfica had only scored once in their last six meetings with Barça, but tonight they had three.

Meanwhile, for Barça it was the first time they had lost their first two games of a European campaign since losing twice to FC Porto in 1972.

To rub salt into the wounds, Barça played the final minutes with ten men after Eric Garcia was red-carded, but by that stage the game was already looking like a lost cause.

Bayern win 5-0
In the other game in Group E, Bayern Munich thrashed Dynamo 5-0, with Lewandowski scoring twice in the first half, and Gnarby, Sane and Choupo-Moting adding three more in the second. The result leaves the Germans flying high with six points, Benfica have four, Dynamo one and Barça none.

But there’s a long way to go yet...

APC bigwigs , Jos group alerts on Plateau Speaker alleged anti-party activities , Lavish spendings

“Calls on Anti -graft agencies to probe the activities of the Speaker ” .

Some bigwigs of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau State has accused the state Assembly Speaker, Hon Abok Nuhu Ayuba, of engaging in anti-party activities stressing that he is already working against the interest of his party, the All Progressive Congress APC.

The allegation is coming after another Group operating under the ageis of Transparency Movement team lamented and alleged what they termed the cold war between the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Abok and Majority of the Staff of the assembly over funds and his lavish spendings and called on anti-graft agencies to probe the activities of the Speaker .

The party bigwigs said since the recent crisis in the state, some forces, groups and individuals have begun instigating the speaker against his party and the government, and rather than joining hands with the authorities and his party, he is already towing a different line.

Speaking on their behalf after the APC bigwigs meeting, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, said they have gathered that the speaker is already in talk with another party and that he is planning to leave the APC, and that is why he is currently exhibiting his unexpected actions.

Zazzaga said for a while now the Speaker has not been attending the government and APC functions alike, and that he absence from such functions not only speak volumes but confirmed the information they gathered about the speaker planning to leave the party.

He said they are therefore asking the speaker to come forth and explain to the party the reason for his recent actions and clear the air on his secret affliction with another party, otherwise they will write to the party to sanction him.

According to him, they will reveal all their facts about the Speaker’s recent contrary activities as they have fully gathered their facts, but that they want the APC leadership to take it resolution on the Speaker first.

Meanwhile, Alhaji Zazzaga urged the Speaker to retrace his steps because he should not be doing things that clearly shown he is ‘biting the fingers that fed him’.

It would be recalled that the APC bigwigs few weeks back gave the speaker an ultimatum to tender public apology to the people of the state as well as the government over what they termed divisive activities and unhelpful utterances in the wake of the recent crisis that rocked parts of the state.

Also the Transparency Movement team
in a statement Jointly signed by Cosmas Ashoms ,Lazarus Gyang and Ali Bawa Musa made available to newsmen in Abuja respectively, called on the anti graft agency to probe the activities of the Speaker .

They said the call was important because of the high level of alleged corruption currently ongoing in the Plateau state house of assembly .

The group beckoned on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, to hearken to them.

The statement alleged that there is a cold war between the Plateau Speaker and staff of the house of assembly because of the misappropriation of funds meant for autonomy .

The group alleged that the Speaker of Plateau state house of assembly has used the funds meant for autonomy to build a massive warehouse behind the back gate of the Jos University Teaching Hospital gate as well as purchasing a massive residence close to the old Ministry of local government and chieftancy affairs around Wase road GRA in Jos as well as a property in Abuja .

They also accused the Speaker of financial mismanagement, financial sharp practices and incompetence in running the affairs of the house .

The statement also reads that the speaker recently employed over 200 workers in the state house of assembly without following due process .

The group further alleged that the Speaker recently ordered a contractor that renovated the state house of assembly just few years ago to come back to renovate the house again for his selfish gains to make profit for himself at the Government House Unit 44 housing estate .

The group called on the anti graft agencies to arrest the Speaker of the state house of assembly and make him account for all his lavish spendings so far since he got into office .

“We called on the anti graft agencies to swifty act as soon as possible ” the statement further added .

itel Donates Libraries, Educational Materials With Nengi Through Love Always On CSR Initiative

September is always a fresh start for children across Nigeria. It is known as the time for children to resume back to school, and they often need new educational materials like school uniforms, notebooks, school bags, textbooks, and even new shoes.

These materials are provided by parents and guardians of these children because they understand the value and importance of education. Taking a page from the book of parents and guardians is itel, Nigeria’s foremost mobile phones, accessories, and televisions brand that is dedicated to making sure consumers enjoy a better life.

Through the Love Always On CSR initiative, itel has today, donated mobile libraries, textbooks, story books, school bags, and other educational materials and food items to the children of Community Primary School, Ilupeju Primary School, and Kosy Bethel Primary School in Lagos, Nigeria.

The brand has donated to different communities and schools over the years and believes strongly that children are the future of society and should be treated with care and love. As such, it comes as no surprise that they chose to donate items that will aid the learning efforts of these children.

The event also had Nengi Hampson, itel staff, volunteers, and teachers from the three schools in attendance. With over 500 children in the schools benefitting from itel’s latest mission of love, it is safe to say that the brand is all about its communities and enabling them with the right tools for a brighter future.

‘We have always had a soft spot for children at itel. And with our Love Always On CSR initiative, we are especially dedicated to creating opportunities for them and supporting their dreams.’ Says Kevin Zhang, itel’s Country Manager. ‘We plan to donate more libraries and educational items to schools around the country, because we believe this is what we should as a brand.’

The teachers were also all smiles and could not believe the magnitude of itel’s gesture of care and love. ‘This is beyond what we expected. For itel to do something like this for three schools in one day, we are thankful.’ Says one of the children’s teachers.

itel keeps raising the bar on what brands should be and should do for society at large. What next do you think the brand will do? Let us find out together.

Spokesman to Nigeria’s Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar (1999-2007) and PDP presidential candidate (2019) has lambasted Prince Dapo Abiodun, Ogun State governor, for alleged unproductive handling of the state.

Segun Sowunmi, former PDP candidate for House of Representatives, who spoke during an interaction with members of Independent Newspapers Association of Nigeria (iNAN) , said Governor Abiodun is governing the state as though he’s a level 13 civil servant.

He said the description was not meant to disrespect civil servants in the State and elsewhere, saying the intellectual capacity deployed in the governance of the State is not more than the workload challenge of a level 13government worker.

Sowunmi posited that Abiodun’s intellectual capacity deployed in his administration is even below level 14,15 or 16, adding that he runs the State without new great ideas

Sowunmi argued that Ogun has failed to experience significant infrastructural development and improved internally generated revenue (IGR) owing to alleged poor administration by the Abiodun’s government.

“In the beginning of this administration, I was very critical of them; but when Covid-19 made all the states not to be able to work much. It was not in my interest as an Ogun indigene to demarket my state when I could not see what others are doing.

“I am disappointed that they have time to organise big burial; they have time to organise big political activities; they do not have time to organise an economic summit which we all used to; they do not have time to organize a framework to ensure that our IGR is bigger,” Atiku Spokesperson lamented.

Speaking further Segun Sowunmi frowns at the way Governor Abiodun uses the media and commissioned writers to mask the real issue, like what the State government has done to IGR and the leakages surrounding IGR of the State. He says: ” they blocked all the leakages? You know the answer yourself. All you have to do is look on the streets and see the number of people jumping up and down, cutting tickets.”

Sowunmi continues: “What have they been able to do with the local government. Have they been able to stabilize it. What are the doing about the image of the state. All the big envelope projects we need to make Ogun State attractive, they have not done anything about it. What have they done to attract good investment, and good publicity for the state.”

Sowunmi also berated the Abiodun-led government for lacking innovative ideas to develop the state.

“They have not brought any innovative ideas of theirs. Not in road construction; not in health; not in housing; not in education. They have not disrupted the economic policy in a manner that can create new energy, and new opportunity for people.
“Anytime I think of Ogun, I think of a state that can make itself like New Jersey to America. They have not taken advantage of their proximity to Lagos. What can they do to inspire the citizens; what can they do to interest you.

A 50,000 litres Tanker fully laden with Diesel has accidentally upturned its cargo and spilled its contents at 235/7 Apapa Road, opposite Iveco Motor Park, inward Iganmu, Ijora, Lagos.

Sari Iganmu Fire Station of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and relevant emergency responders are currently ameliorating the situation from causing secondary incidents.

The accident was reported at 1720 hours while preliminary investigation revealed that the Tanker which was loaded at NIPCO Terminal, Apapa is mobile to FCT, Abuja.

There has been no record of injury nor death as the axis has been cordon and traffic is being managed.

Mrs. Adeseye Margaret
Director
Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service.
September 22

A renowned Brand Manager, Hon Oke Umurhohwo has expressed deep concern over the violent clash that broke out between Ekiugbo and Otor-Ihwreko, two neighbouring communities during the annual 'Iyeri’ feast of Ughelli Kingdom a few days ago, calling on warring factions to embrace peace in the interest of progress and development.

Mr Umurhohwo who described peace as the foundation for social stability and economic progress, noted that the upheaval that the clash between the two communities had caused is traumatizing and should cease forthwith.

"The event of the last few days are unpalatable and a stark contrast to what we represent as a people," he noted in a statement he personally signed, adding that "May I use this medium to appeal for calm and impress on people of the two communities involved in the fracas to cease hostility forthwith and embrace peace."

He called on relevant stakeholders in the two communities to rededicate themselves to peaceful co-existence, noting that violence doesn't solve any grievances but rather destroy, which brings no benefit to anyone.

"Just as we must have all realized through history, violence is never a good way to sort things out and it is on the strength of this understanding that I call on my brothers from both sides to embrace peace and cohabit without any form of animosity against each other."

"The time has come to let go of any past misgivings and open a new chapter of peaceful relations that will propel stability and bring about the progress and developments we have always hoped for our respective communities."

Mr Umurhohwo reminds the two communities that as "neighbours, they existed to compliment each others strength for the purpose of growth, not pounding on fault lines for crises", stressing that "we're brothers and should not fight each other."

He commended security operatives for swiftly bringing the situation under control, calling on the state government to work with relevant stakeholders in bringing lasting peace to the two communities.

We are one Urhobo.
We are one Ughelli North.
We are one Delta State.
We are one Nigeria
We are one human race."
Let peace reign supreme, and unity be our known bearing.

I read with consternation a news report of the above heading in the Premium Times of 18th September, 2021. I had to agree that Premium Times had fallen far short of expectations and requirements of investigative journalism they are known for.

In the first instance, the presidency did not summon the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Group Managing Director (GMD), Mele Kyari, to the Villa as reported by Premium Times.

President Buhari as the Minister of Petroleum Resources does meet regularly with the Group Managing Director for briefing; the President doesn’t interfere in the activities of the Corporation.

Secondly, Premium Times claim that they have exposed how the NNPC conducted a controversial bid for the sale of a N3 billion consignment of slop oil is a wrong misconception as the bid was done in openness and in compliance with procurement processes.

It may interest Nigerians that the so-called “two consecutive investigative reports by PREMIUM TIMES x-raying procurement irregularities and sophisticated corruption of due process at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)” is completely frivolous and inconsequential.

The GMD we all know is a man of integrity and openness. He has opened the account of the Corporation to the general Public since he assumed office so there are no issues related to disposing of 30 million litres of slop oil in a manner that violated the nation’s public procurement regulations as all due process was followed.

The claim by Premium Times that NNPC is “cash-hungry” is ridiculous and baseless. How can a Corporation that recently declared a profit of N287bn After Tax be cash hungry?

NNPC has never stopped its policy of supporting local manufacturing industries as part of its post COVID-19 economic recovery plan and will continue to support local industries even as a CAMA company.

I think Premium Times source this time again failed because the NNPC GMD so called “quick meeting of all his Group Executive Directors (GEDs) to marshal a defence” did not arise. The GMD is known for routine meetings of all its Executive Directors before further briefs of the Petroleum Minister, Pres. Muhammadu Buhari.

Premium Times claimed that the first two bid-winning companies were owned by the same directors but they failed to state what law this violates even though there is no concrete evidences from the newspaper about the Directors,

It may interest Nigerians that the GMD of the NNPC is not facing uneasiness as made believed by Premium Times. Mal Mele Kolo Kyari is busy working with the PIA Committee in ensuring the NNPC transition to a CAMA company.

NNPC under the Management of Mal Mele Kolo Kyari has never resorted to a cosmetic competitive bid fraught with irregularities as all bids are done openly as well as virtually in line with COVID-19 Protocols; the claim by Premium Times is exiguous.

The Presidency is not unraveling any puzzles as none exist in NNPC except in the imagination of the Premium Times.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mal Mele Kolo Kyari has been in good term; if not excellent term with all its Directors and there is no issue of having difficulty in controlling the GED

I am happy that the NNPC did not waste it’s precious time to respond to the sponsored reports when Premium Times requested its comments.

As an extension of the itel brand’s mission to help Nigerians and Africans at large enjoy better life at a subsidized cost, itel has announced the itel Home Store, a walk-in store that strictly provides itel’s product portfolio of smartphones, televisions, mobile accessories, and electrical home appliances to consumers across the country.

The itel Home Store boasts a wide range of itel Family products that are user-friendly, pocket-friendly, and convenient for everyday use by consumers who often crave a wide selection of products but are on a budget. These itel Family Products have grown to include televisions, electrical appliances like electric cookers, standing fans, electric kettles etc., and mobile accessories like headphones, speakers, powerbanks, and smartphones.

The event, which saw top-notch actress Mercy Johnson Okojie, key itel staff, and well-wishers in attendance, was well-received by the residents of the Agege environs, with many purchasing itel products like powerbanks, Bluetooth speakers, Bluetooth headphones, itel televisions, and many more. There were also several fun engagement sessions at the event, with customers getting itel products like itel televisions and itel smartphones for free.

itel has come this far because of the loyalty and consistent patronage of our communities’, says Kevin Zhang, itel’s Country Manager. ‘We exist to serve our communities and to continually provide them with better everyday products. This itel Home Store is just the beginning of another amazing journey for itel and our loyal consumers in Nigeria, and we cannot wait to show you the next level of innovation that we have to offer.’

This forward-thinking choice of itel to provide more itel Home Stores and affordable products for Nigerians and Africans will no doubt reinforce the image of the brand as a thoughtful and customer-centric brand.
The itel Home Store is now open and ready for everyone to come pick good goods. Even more, there are free gifts for those who purchase from the store from 20th-26th September 2021.

On August 9, around 8 am, a notorious smuggler was trying to make his way with bags of foreign rice through the Nigeria-Niger border in the Jibiya area of Katsina State. A group of customs officers ran after him, driving recklessly.

The smuggler was driving a J5 Peugeot. He had refused to stop at a Customs checkpoint in Batsari, near the Jibiya area of the state. The officers chased him as he scrambled with his vehicle filled with bags of rice.

While chasing the smuggler, the officers’ driver suddenly lost control, ran into bystanders who were mostly villagers, crushing them. As soon as their vehicle stopped, the officers took to their heels, leaving the victims of the accident to their fate, according to eyewitnesses.

Angry youth at the scene of the incident set the Customs vehicle ablaze. Although Gambo Isa, the spokesman of the Katsina State Police Command, claimed only five people were killed during the incident, FIJ can exclusively report that no less than 10 persons died.

We obtained the names of the victims and reached out to some of the families of the deceased, who lamented government abandonment since the incident.

ADAMU ILIYASU, DIED WHILE BUYING ‘KUNU’

It was a drizzly Monday morning. Awal Iliyasu, 60, had sent his son Adamu to buy him some kunu, a local Hausa drink made from millets. Adamu was reluctant to go out but eventually left for the Jibiya motor park.

Before running the errand, the eighth son of his father was indoors after returning from an Islamic school.

“Later on, he went to the motor park to buy the kunu. The next news we heard was a tragedy,” said Awal. “By then, he was dead.”

GARBA LAWAL, 60, FATHER TO 16 CHILDREN

Garba Lawal left his home on the day of the fatal incident to fend for his family. The father of 16 children and three wives had borrowed some money from Idi Mai Shago, his younger brother, and set out for the day. He did not return alive.

“We met just some minutes before 8:00 am,” said Mai Shago. “He told me he was going out to hustle to feed his family. I bade him farewell.”

Lawal left to get himself breakfast. He was on his way when the Customs Hilux ran into him and other people. He died before getting to the hospital.

INVITED TO COME AND DIE

Badaru Halilu and Musa Nagari, his cousin, were killed while going to pay a condolence visit to a family member. Badaru had set out to go to the farm when he met Musa, who asked him to convey him to a nearby village with a motorcycle.

Before the takeoff, Musa chatted with his uncle’s children while Badaru and another family member waited.

“Suddenly, what we saw was that a Customs vehicle chasing a rice smuggler swept through everybody standing by the road, including the four people I was with,” said Aminu, Badiru’s father. “My son died instantly, while Musa Nagari died on his way to the hospital.”

Aminu added that some of his kinsmen, who were victims of the accident, were in the hospital.

FROM FRYING PAN TO FIRE

Murtala Tasi’u and his family had just fled Tagwaye Village in Kaduna State for Jibiya due to insecurity. But Khadija Murtala, his daughter, was killed the week they arrived in the area.

The Primary 2 pupil had gone to hawk when the Customs patrol Hilux crushed her. Her father said he regretted letting her out to hawk on the day of the fatal accident.

“At Tagwaye village, we couldn’t sleep at home due to the fear of bandits. We got tired and moved completely to Jibiya,” he said. “She had not been in school since we moved to Jibiya. So, we asked her to hawk dates at the park. And that was where she fell victim to the accident.”

DENIAL

However, the Katsina State Customs Service denied chasing any smuggler, insisting that what happened to the officers was an accident that could happen to anyone.

“What we know is that it was an accident that can occur to anyone,” said Danbaba Isa, the Public Relations Officer of the Service in the state.

“The accident occurred this morning after some of our officers finished eating and were returning to their checkpoint. Their vehicle developed a brake fault, and it resulted in the accident.”

Eyewitnesses’ accounts disputed the narratives provided by customs authorities on the incident. Residents who spoke with FIJ said the authorities were only trying to shy away from their responsibilities.

There were strong indications on Monday that bandits fleeing the military onslaught in Zamfara State were moving to states in the South.

Top security sources, who confided in our correspondents, said security agents in other states had been alerted to be on the lookout for the fleeing bandits.

It was also gathered that the South-West states had put the regional security outfit, Amotekun, on the alert following intelligence reports that bandits being dislodged from Zamfara State were fleeing southwards.

The Amotekun Corps commanders in Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states, in separate interviews with our correspondents, stated that residents of the states had been told to be vigilant and guard against infiltration by the fleeing hoodlums.

They said this as gunmen invaded the Kabba Correctional Centre in Kogi State, where they freed 240 inmates and killed two soldiers.

In Kaduna State, suspected herdsmen attacked Peigyim village in the Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state and killed 12 persons.

No fewer than four travellers were also abducted in Ekiti State on Monday.

The Federal Government had last week ordered telecommunications companies to shut down their base stations in Zamfara State as part of the onslaught against bandits, who were engaged in ceaseless kidnapping and killings in the state and other parts of the North-West.

The bandits had also been hit by hunger following the decision of the state government and neighbouring states to close regular markets, where they were getting foodstuffs.

There were reports that many bandits had been killed during military raids, while others were said to be fleeing Zamfara State.

A senior police officer, who confided in The PUNCH, said, “A few days ago, some of the bandits fled to Niger State and they were dealt with by the military. Some of them are moving southwards and security agents have been alerted.”

We envisaged that bandits would take refuge in other states – Ekiti Amotekun commander

The Corps Commander, Amotekun Corps, Ekiti State, Brig Gen Joe Komolafe (retd.), said in an interview with The PUNCH that the agency had always envisaged that the dislodged bandits would want to take refuge in other states and was proactive about guarding against their incursion into Ekiti.

Komolafe said, “We have always envisaged that when dislodged, they will want to move to other states; that is why each time we come out, we talk to the citizens to report strange faces to us.

“We try as much as possible to monitor the routes and entry points; we know that the criminals may not come by road or through the main routes to enter the state; it is in view of that that we always tell our people to report strange faces to us.

“We patrol the forests; we have people on the farms, who will tell us when they see strange faces on the farms or bushes. We try to plead with the people to give us necessary information about strange faces and unusual movements.

“Also, we have perfect working relationships with Amotekun in the neighbouring states as well all security agencies in the state.”

‘We got intelligence that bandits were trying to relocate to Ondo forests’

On his part, the Ondo State Amotekun Corps Commander, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, stated that the security outfit had received a security report on the fleeing bandits.

He said Governor Rotimi Akeredolu had given an order for the corps to put in place necessary security measures in the 18 local government areas of the state to prevent the bandits from striking in the state.

Adeleye stated, “We have got information from a reliable intelligence report that the fleeing bandits are coming, that they intend to stay in the forest to cause mayhem and that they are closing in seriously. The source told us that the bandits want to start with Ondo State as a frontline state.

“So, with that, we have put serious intelligence on the ground across the state and our primary aim is to prevent any infiltration and attack. We don’t even want them to strike before we get them. So, we are at every local government area, every major town and inside the forest.

“On the other side too, we are deploying all means to ensure that if they come to this state, they will meet their waterloo. Right now, our intelligence is on the ground at every nook and cranny of the state. And we are monitoring keenly. That is what Mr Governor has directed me to do and I will do it diligently.”

Oyo Amotekun beefs up security at boundary with Kwara

The Director-General, Amotekun Corps, Oyo State, Col Olayinka Olayanju ( retd), said the outfit’s personnel were patrolling boundaries of the state aggresively to prevent hoodlums from relocating to the state.

The DG said, “We knew that and our men are already on the lookout for the bandits, other criminals and strange faces, especially at our boundaries.

“We are at alert and our men are carrying out operations regarding this at Irepo, which is the boundary of Oyo and Kwara states, to make sure that the bandits do not relocate to our state.

“They will be stopped. Our men will pick them up. We won’t allow criminals to relocate here.”

‘Osun does not have ungoverned areas’

On his part, the Corps Commander, Amotekun Corps, Osun State, Brig Gen Bashir Adewinbi (retd.), stated, “They (bandits) can’t come to Osun, because the state does not have ungoverned areas.

“Everywhere is being monitored in Osun State in collaboration with the police and with additional 750 vigilantes recently recruited by the state government to support Amotekun.”

Tactics won’t be divulged at the moment – Defence Headquarters

When contacted to comment on reports that the bandits being dislodged from Zamfara State were fleeing to other states, especially southern states, the Director of Defence Information, Major General Benjamin Sawyerr, neither confirmed nor denied the reports.

He said, “Operations are ongoing. Tactics and strategies are not to be divulged at this moment.

“The operations are being conducted in line with the operational directives as well as contingencies.

“The North-Central, North-East and the North-West will soon have reasons to thank the Armed Forces of Nigeria for a job well done.”

He, however, declined to answer further questions put to him on the matter.

Gunmen abduct four travellers in Ekiti

As the Amotekun Corps beefed up security in the South-West, gunmen on Monday waylaid travellers on the Ayetoro Ekiti-Otun Ekiti Road and whisked no fewer than four persons into the forest.

Sources said two buses conveying passengers from the Otun Ekiti end of the road were attacked by the gunmen, who abducted four passengers, while the others escaped.

A source said one of those, who escaped, told him that the gunmen took away four passengers from the two buses.

Another source, who said he got information about the attack from hunters, said, “The hunters were called that some kidnappers were operating on the Ayetoro Ekiti-Otun Ekiti Road.

“But before they got there, the gunmen had commandeered the two buses into the bush. At that point, we could not tell the number of people taken into the forest, but the buses were abandoned there.

“I advised the hunters and the security agents, who arrived at the scene later, that the kidnappers would have gone towards Otun and that they could not have gone very far by then.

“Definitely, they were the ones, who operated on the Ayetoro-Ewu Road on Sunday. The Sunday operation was not successful and that was why they waited around to carry out this one.”

According to him, the kidnappers, on realising that they had missed their targets on Sunday, might have resorted to attacking commercial motorcycle riders and shot indiscriminately in the air to scare people off.

“An Okada rider was stopped at gunpoint and the hoodlums took all his valuables, while another Okada operator escaped into the bush. The kidnappers fled when they noticed that the other Okada rider had escaped,” the source added.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Ekiti State, Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the incident, said, “We heard the information and we have deployed our men there.

“There was a kidnap incident this morning (Monday). I cannot yet confirm the number of people abducted. It began on Sunday evening when some suspected robbers attacked a man, whom the police thereafter rescued. But this morning, we learnt that the suspects were the ones who abducted some road users. The police are on their trail.”

S’West PDP asks Buhari to resign over killings

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party in the South-West, on Monday, called on the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to resign from office following his alleged inability to stem the tide of killings across the country.

The Publicity Secretary, South-West PDP, Chief Sanya Atofarati, who lamented that the killers were now turning the heat on the military and other security agencies, thus leaving the citizens helpless and hopeless, advised the Federal Government to seek foreign help in the interest of peace and development of the country.

“It is gross incompetence on the part of the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress Federal Government that Nigeria has become a graveyard,” he stated.

Atofarati said this in a statement titled, ‘Killing spree: Why Buhari must resign now’, made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti in reaction to recent attacks by bandits and gunmen on military formations as well as police stations and personnel.

He stated, “Between 2015 and now, more than 20,000 Nigerians have lost their lives due to the inability of the government to protect the lives and property of the citizens, ranging from jihadist Fulani herdsmen to Boko Haram to bandits/highway kidnappers.

“It is safe to say that the APC government remains insensitive to the welfare of Nigerians, otherwise, by now, Buhari should have voluntarily resigned or cry for help.

“Nigeria is now a country, where the agencies saddled with the responsibility of securing the citizens have suddenly become weaklings and incapacitated; a country where governors’ convoys are attacked at will, monarchs are kidnapped even under the President’s nose in his home state; a country where there is no war but mass burial weekly!

“It is high time Nigeria sought foreign help to curb insecurity, lest we are all captured.” ,,

A dịghị e ji ihe a na agba na ntị agba n'anya. Focus and Shine Ya Eye!!!

All black cos it's #BBNaija eviction time. Which housemates exit are you mourning tonight?

Zamfara govt arrests 100 security violators, intercept vehicles transporting food to bandits

Zamfara State government has revealed that over 100 people who violated the executive orders regarding the recent security measures in the state have been arrested.

Addressing newsmen in Gusau, the state capital, the secretary of the Task Force on security matters, Abdul Haruna said over 100 people were arrested for various offences while five cows belonging to a military officer were recovered.

The secretary explained that two vehicles loaded with food items and other essential commodities suspected to be heading to the bandits’ camps was intercepted.

“However, the drivers of the two vehicles could not defend themselves hence they were arrested” he added.

Haruna said Lalan junction, Mayanchi junction, Lamba Bakura junction, Colony Junction have been closed indefinitely, indicating that bandits would begin parading these junctions for their food items and other essential commodities.

“We closed these junctions because since markets have been closed indefinitely, the bandits have no other means than to be getting their foodstuffs and other essential commodities from the junctions”

Haruna said that when the tension becomes too much on the bandits, they would be forced to relocate and flee from the state.