₦airaland Forum

Bandits, who abducted 121 students of the Bethel Baptist High School, Maraban Rido, Kaduna State, have reiterated their demand for rice and other foodstuffs to feed the abductees.

A top official of the school, who is involved in the negotiation with the bandits, confided in a journalist that the hoodlums called again on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, and stated that they had run out of food.

The bandits had contacted the school management and confirmed that they were holding 121 students of the school.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/08/baptist-school-students-abductors-in-kaduna-demand-for-food/

Godswill Akpabio, the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, has stated that the major problem of the country is corruption.

Akpabio spoke at a town hall meeting on the protection of oil and gas infrastructure in the country, held in Abuja.

The minister said international oil companies (IOCs) may be discouraged from remitting what is due to host communities because of corruption, since such funds appear unaccounted for.

https://newsrand.com/2021/07/06/akpabio-corruption-is-nigerias-major-problem/

The Eleda of Eda-Ile in the Ekiti East Council Area of Ekiti State, Oba Benjamin Oso has regained his freedom after his kidnappers were paid a N2 million ransom.

It would be recalled that on Friday, June 25, 2021, the traditional ruler, who was on his farm with his wife, was whisked away into the forest by gunmen who invaded the farm.

The gunmen were said to have demanded N20 million ransom before they would release the monarch.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/29/kidnapped-ekiti-monarch-regains-freedom-after-paying-n2m-ransom/

Ahmad Lawan, Nigerian Senate President, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari can extend the country’s debt portfolio. This, he said, in spite of the N33 trillion public debt of the country.

Newsrand understands that the total public Debt Stock comprised of those of the Federal Government, 36 State Governments, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), respectively.

The debt stock also includes Promissory Notes in the sum of N940.220 billion issued to settle the inherited arrears of the FGN to state governments, oil marketing companies, exporters, and local contractors.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/25/n33trn-debt-lawan-says-buhari-can-still-borrow-more/

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has said physical registration in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will commence from Monday, July 19, 2021.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu disclosed this at a news conference and the launch of an online portal for the CVR exercise in Abuja on Thursday.

Yakubu said that while the online registration would commence on June 28 nationwide, physical registration at its local government and states offices would commence on July 19.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/25/inec-cvr-physical-registration-to-kick-off-on-july-19/

The lecturers and students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), have expressed their shock over the murder case of one Chidinma, who was paraded before newsmen in the state yesterday (Thursday, June 24, 2021).

Newsrand had reported that the Lagos Police Command paraded Chidinma for the murder of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Super TV, Usigo Ataga, in the Lekki area of the state.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/25/unilag-students-lecturers-express-shock-over-chidinmas-murder-case/

The hostility between Effiom and Ezza in Ado and Ohaukwu Local Government Areas of Benue and Ebonyi States has indicated that a major crisis between the two neighbouring states is imminent.

It would be recalled that the rival communities have several times clashed over boundary demarcation, leading to the death of many, while properties were burnt and destroyed as the number of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, continues to multiply in the areas.

Following the crisis, about five elders from Odum Community of Ulayi District, Ado LGA were abducted by unknown armed men last month which heightened tension between the warring communities.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/24/rising-tension-in-benue-ebonyi-over-renewed-agelong-crisis/

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has set up a Task Force on the operationalisation of the Presidential Deliverables handed over to the ministry to strengthen the internal security of the country by President Muhammadu Buhari.

A statement by the Director of Press in the ministry, Mrs. Blessing Lere-Adams, said that Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, inaugurated the committee on behalf of Aregbesola.

https://newsrand.com/2021/06/04/insecurity-aregbesola-sets-up-committee-on-presidential-mandate/

The Police in Enugu, have launched efforts to arrest the killers of a retired Judge of Enugu State, Justice Stanley Nnaji.

Nnaji was killed by unidentified gunmen in Enugu while driving in a black Mercedes Benz SUV.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/31/police-launch-manhunt-against-ex-enugu-high-court-judge/

Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River has sacked four Commissioners in his cabinet and five Special Advisers.

The was revealed in a statement by Ayade’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Christian Ita, on Monday in Calabar.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/31/gov-ayade-reshuffles-cabinet-lay-off-commissioners-aides/

A yet-to-be-identified policeman, on Monday, May 31, 2021, opened fire on human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.

He was shot during a protest to demand an end to insecurity in the country in Abuja.

Sahara Reporters reports that Sowore was shot in the right side of the stomach towards the hip by gun-wielding policemen drafted to the Unity Fountain.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/31/policeman-shoots-sowore-during-protest/

Unknown gunmen have attacked the Abia Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service, setting the office on fire.

The Public Relations Officer of the service, Mr. Godwin Ogbonna, confirmed the incident on Sunday.

Ogbonna, however, said he had yet to get details of the attack on the facility, situated at the Ubakala axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/31/immigration-office-set-ablaze-by-gunmen-in-abia-state/

Unidentified gunmen Saturday, razed the Atta Divisional Police Headquarters in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo.

The attackers shot sporadically for more than one hour before setting the station ablaze.

They also razed the Magistrates and High Courts in the area and later vandalized the community health center.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/30/gunmen-attack-police-station-courts-in-imo-state/

The Presidential Steering Committee (PSC), on COVID-19, has given 132 people 48-hours to turn themselves to the nearest state public health departments for violating the quarantine provisions of the COVID-19 guidelines.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and Chairman PSC on COVID-19, Mr. Boss Mustapha, made this known in a statement.

”The 132 violators of the advisory, entered through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/28/fg-gives-132-persons-48-hours-ultimatum-to-quarantine/

Following the sudden death of Ibrahim Attahiru, who was the Chief of Army Staff, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, May 27, 2021, appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.

Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the acting Director, Defence Information, announced Yahaya’s appointment in a statement seen by Newsrand.

Below are seven things to know about the new army boss:
1. Before his appointment, he was the Theatre Commander of the counter-terrorism military outfit in the North-East which is code-named operation Hadin Kai.

2. Yahaya was the former General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/27/farouk-yahaya-7-things-to-know-about-new-chief-of-army-staff/

The Presidency has approved a major change in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.

This was disclosed in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Thursday.

The change involved the swapping of positions by two heads of agencies under the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/27/presidency-replaces-naptip-dg-in-major-ministry-swap/

The management of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has announced the expulsion of six of its students for various offences, including the gang-rape of a female colleague in one of the hostels.

The Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Ndimele Ozo-Mekuri, disclosed this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The statement titled: ‘Expulsion from the university’, the VC said three of the students were expelled after the school’s disciplinary committee found them culpable of rape.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/27/rivers-varsity-expels-6-students-over-gang-rape-others/

President Muhammadu Buhari has requested the assistance of the international community to conclude the transition of power from the Military to a Democratic Government in Chad.

Buhari disclosed this on Tuesday at the opening of the Extraordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC).

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/26/buhari-calls-for-peaceful-power-transition-in-chad/

The Presidency has expressed reservation over the position of the Southern Governors’ Forum on open grazing, saying their decision to ban open grazing in their states is of questionable legality.

Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, observed that the governors’ anti-open grazing stance contradicted the constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the freedom of movements irrespective of the state of their birth or residence.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/25/presidency-questions-ban-on-open-grazing-by-the-southern-governors/

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says it has begun operation raids on recalcitrant road traffic offenders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

This was confirmed by The FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Samuel Ochi in an interview with members of the press on Monday in Abuja.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/24/operation-raid-commences-on-traffic-violators-in-fct-frsc/

The Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, has said that the current insecurity challenges in the country were temporary and would soon pass by the grace of God.

The minister made the remarks on Friday in Katsina at the passing-out ceremony of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Female Squad.

“Let me assure Nigerians that the current situation is temporary and we will soon pass by the grace of God.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/21/insecurity-in-nigeria-a-temporary-phase-minister/

With the recent disagreement between Nigeria Labour Congress and Kaduna State Government, NEWSRAND Readers have stated that it is illegal for Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to declare NLC’s President wanted.

The analysis was carried out in NEWSRAND official Twitter handle with over 83 percent stating that Kaduna State Governor does not possess the legal right to declare Ayuba Wabba wanted over the strike.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/21/what-newsrand-readers-have-to-say-about-el-rufai-wabba-dispute/

The Controller, Niger State Fire Service (NSFS), Alhaji Bello Salihu, said that Niger recorded a loss of N1.2 billion from 196 fire outbreaks in 2021 first quarter.

Salihu disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)in Minna on Thursday.

He said they recorded 300 fire outbreaks in the past but that the number became low due to intensive fire prevention campaigns to business premises, organizations, and the public.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/21/how-niger-state-lost-n1-2bn-in-q1-from-fire-disasters-controller/

The United States Government has reiterated its commitment to providing support towards uplifting the lives and overcoming the challenges facing Nigeria.

Mary Leonard, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, stated this on Wednesday during an interview with newsmen at the sideline of her working visit to Sokoto State.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/20/u-s-will-help-nigeria-tackle-its-challenges/

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N805.7 million for the purchase of equipment to enhance security at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, Abuja.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, briefed State House correspondents after a virtual FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/20/n805mn-approved-to-strengthen-security-at-efcc-headquarters-fec/

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved N805.7 million for the purchase of equipment to enhance security at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters, Abuja.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, briefed State House correspondents after a virtual FEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/20/n805mn-approved-to-strengthen-security-at-efcc-headquarters-fec/

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) says it has restored power supply on most of its 33KVA feeders and that the Kaduna Distribution Company (KAEDCO) had indicated readiness to pick supply.

TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Mbah, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/20/electricity-power-restored-in-kaduna-as-nlc-suspends-strike/

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says Sub-Saharan African will require an annual investment of 40 billion dollars to implement a robust energy transition plan.

Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the vice president said this in his keynote speech at the virtual 7th Annual New York-based Columbia University Global Energy Summit.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/19/40bn-annually-needed-by-sub-saharan-africa-for-energy-transition-vp/

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Kaduna State University Chapter, has directed its members to join the ongoing warning strike by public sector workers in Kaduna State.

The ASUU Chairperson, Dr. Peter Adamu gave the directive in a circular to the members of the union, issued in Kaduna on Monday.

Adamu said: “I am directed by the National Secretariat of our great union through the Zonal office Kano, for members to join the warning strike.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/18/ASUU-implore-members-to-join-labour-warning-strike-in-kaduna-state/

Gimba Yau Kumo, son-in-law to President Muhammadu Buhari has been declared wanted by The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged $65 million fraud.

The Former MD, Federal Mortgage Bank wedded the President’s Daughter in October 2016 at Katsina State.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/14/buharis-son-in-law-others-wanted-for-fraud-icpc/

President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigeria’s security chiefs on Tuesday met at the State House, Abuja.

The meeting came over 24 hours after armed robbers attempted to attack the residence of the Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, on Monday.

The Presidency announced the meeting via its Twitter handle but did not give details of its agenda.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/11/buhari-meet-with-security-chiefs-after-aso-rock-robbery-attempt/

The Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB) says that mock examination slips for its Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) can now be printed out in preparation for the exercise.

JAMB made this known in its Weekly Bulletin of the Office of the Registrar on Monday in Abuja.

“Candidates who had registered for the 2021 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and indicated interest to sit for the optional mock examination are to print their mock notification slips from Sunday, May 9.

https://newsrand.com/2021/05/10/mock-utme-examination-slips-available-for-printing-jamb/