Lifestyle Audit is now legal in Nigeria. Those who flaunt lifestyles they cannot afford, can now be investigated by any of the graft agencies to produce evidence of the sources of their wealth

You can now be called upon to explain how you acquired certain properties.
-@ICPC_PE

…demand release of remanded OPC members


Ibarapa youths at the Oyo State governor's office on Monday

Youths from various parts of Oyo State have stormed the State Secretariat at Agodi to register their displeasure against the incessant killings by criminal herdsmen in Ibarapaland, Oke-Ogun and other parts of the state.

The youths are also protesting the arrest and the remand of three members of the Oodua Peoples Congress in prison on the order of the court.

The three members were part of the vigilante groups that captured the dreaded Fulani herder in Ibarapaland, Iskilu Wakili. They were layer charged with murder and arson and were remanded in prison.

The protesters, who are mainly from Ibarapaland stormed the Secretariat where the Governor’s Office is located at around 10:40am to register their displeasure about security issue in the area.

Armed with placards with various inscriptions denouncing killings, kidnapping, rape and massive destruction of farms and other atrocities.

One of the organisers of the protest, Oladiran Oladokun, who is also the Converner of Igangan Development Advocates, told The PUNCH on the sidelines of the protest that the arraignment and remand of the three OPC members was a signal to many Nigerians that security agents should be left alone to do their job.

He said Wakili terrorised the people for so long and despite their refusal to arrest him, the OPC members and others risked their lives to arrest the septuagenarian herder but the they detained by the police on the same day.

Oladokun said, “We are here to protest the arrest and remand of the three OPC members in prison. These men are heroes, they risked their lives to arrest Wakili who has terrorised the people of Kajola, Ayete and other villages.

“They went to Wakili’s place and arrested him but the police turned against them and detained them. This is a bad signal to Nigerians on security issues.”

Recall that there has been growing insecurity in Ibarapaland where suspected Fulani herdsmen have killed, raped and kidnapped farmers and other residents.

ATTACK ON GOVERNOR ORTOM OF BENUE STATE: IGP ORDERS FULL SCALE INVESTIGATIONS

•Directs strengthening of security around the Governor

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has ordered full-scale investigations into the circumstances surrounding the attack and reported attempt on the life of the Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Chief Samuel Loraer Ortom, at his farm in the outskirts of Makurdi, the State Capital, on Saturday, 20th March, 2021.

The IGP who condemned the incident, has equally directed the Commissioner of Police (CP), Benue State Command to take adequate measures towards strengthening and improving security in the State, particularly around the Governor.

The IGP has also specifically directed the CP to carry out painstaking investigations into the incident and ensure the arrest and prosecution of persons indicted in the course of the investigations.

Gunmen on Saturday night razed the Isiala Mbano Divisional Headquarters located at Umuelemai in Imo State.

The gunmen, who freed suspects held in the detention facility, invaded the divisional headquarters armoury and carted away arms.

Our correspondent gathered that gunmen on arrival condoned off the Divisional Headquarters located at Umueze Road and opened fire.

According to eyewitnesses, on arrival, the suspects sacked policemen on duty, freed suspects, invaded the arms storage department of the facility before setting it ablaze.

While our correspondent had yet to confirm if any life was lost, our correspondent gathered that four policemen allegedly sustained gunshot injuries from the Invaders.

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen did not flee as they stayed by and supervised the burning of the police facility.

The source, who does not want his name in print said, “The gunmen came, condoned of the divisional headquarters and immediately opened fire on the policemen on duty. This was after they had freed all the suspects and collected all the arms. Afterwards, they set it ablaze using petrol to ignite fire. This is very unfortunate.”

The Interim Management Committee chairman of Isiala Mbano LGA, Chika Okoroike, who also confirmed the attack when contacted by The PUNCH, said that rescue mission was being facilitated by him.

He blamed the removal of soldiers from Anara town 24 hours before the attack.

Okoroike, said that he made fervent moves to make sure that the military men who were posted out of Anara town on Friday without any reason were returned but all to no avail.

The police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, also confirmed the attack on the division when contacted by The PUNCH.

The PUNCH reports that this is the fourth police divisional headquarters that had been attacked since February after Obowo, Aboh Mbaise and Ihitte/Uboma divisions were attacked, respectively.

Suspected herdsmen on Saturday reportedly attacked the convoy of Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom.

The incident, according to a state government official, happened at Tyo Mu along Makurdi/Gboko road on Saturday afternoon.

It was also gathered that the governor was on his way to Makurdi, the state capital when the suspected herdsmen opened fire on his convoy but were repelled by his security men.

Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano said several videos showing him stuffing bales of dollars into his pockets in 2018 were fake.

“No doubt the video is fake,” Ganduje told the BBC Hausa Service on Friday.

“We are making some underground plans, which we will not reveal. But I assure you it is fake, and all those behind it will be put to shame.”

Governor Ganduje has already sued Daily Nigerian, which first published the videos in 2018, demanding N3billion in damages.

But the case has not made progress in the court.

On Friday, Ganduje took his case for self-exculpation to BBC A Fada A Cika programme, aired on Friday evening.

Asked by the interviewer to confirm whether he was the person in the video, Ganduje responded by saying that the video was doctored to show him collecting something.

“Even your picture can be tampered to show something on your head or hand. And you know it’s possible. People always tend to believe falsehood.

“The fact is that we will take action against the matter,” he said.

[“Did he ever take dollar bribe”, asked the interviewer.

Ganduje responded: “It is a lie. Nothing of that nature ever happened.

“It was just part of a scheme to stop me from contesting election – and I contested; to stop me from winning election – and I won.

“But that is not the issue, the big issue that we will deal with those behind it,” he said.

The video damaged Ganduje politically and gave him the nickname ‘Gandollar’.

In the interview, Ganduje also spoke about the achievements of his administration.

He said his government has undertaken projects that will be remembered for more than 100 years

The projects that the governor cited were the bridges he built in Kano, and the Muhammadu Buhari Hospital, which he said was equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.

He said the hospitals built by his government would reduce the number of people going abroad for treatment.

#BREAKING Whatsapp, Instagram and Facebook Messenger down in major outage: Downdetector

JUST IN: WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook suffer worldwide outage
Social media apps Instagram, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and Whatsapp are currently experiencing downtime.

Many users experiencing issues, unable to log in, refresh messages or utilise the apps’ numerous other functions.

Instagram is showing a server error while Facebook has an error for users trying to login. WhatsApp has failed to load.

At the time of filing this report, no statements have been released by the parent company, Facebook.

PRESS STATEMENT.

NIGERIAN WRONGFULLY INCACERATED IN COTE D'IVOIRE'S PRISON, ITUNU BABALOLA: FACTS OF THE MATTER.

ABUJA, MARCH 19, 2021.

Following painstaking investigations by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Nigeria Mission in Abidjan, Cote D'ivoire,

It is now confirmed that Itunu Babalola, a Nigerian living in Abidjan was wrongfully charged and incarcerated for a crime she did not commit.

According to the Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa the Charge D’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Côte D’Ivoire ,Mr Mohammed Gana , sent officials of the mission to Bondoukou, a city eight hours outside Abidjan when the case was brought to his attention .. Plans are underway to engage the services of a legal Luminary to prove the innocence of Itunu Babalola at the Court of Appeal after the accused had spent two years out of a ten year jail term for an offense she did not commit.

Reports indicate that the new Prosecutor assigned to the case has given assurances of a fair and unbiased review and retrial of the case to secure the release of Itunu Babalola. Reports also allegedly indicate that the former prosecutor in collaboration with the police twisted the case and accused Itunu Babalolo of human trafficking hence her conviction for 20yrs although the sentence was reduced to 10yrs from which she has served 2yrs so far. Itunu Babalola whose family is from Oyo State, Nigeria has been living in Bondoukou, Cote d'ivoire for a long time but got entangled in a legal battle.when she reported the burglary of her house to the Police.

On efforts made to secure her bail, the prosecutor said it is only the Court that can grant her bail as she has already been convicted
We will continue to monitor the case as it unfolds

E-signed,
Gabriel Odu
Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit.

END

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, restrained the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, from either inviting, harassing and threatening to arrest or detain a renowned constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, for criticising its former Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.

Justice Ekwo gave the order while delivering judgement in a fundamental right enforcement suit filed by Ozekhome against EFCC.

Respondents in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/324/2018, were the EFCC, Magu and one of its lead operatives, Abubakar Aliyu Madaki.

By the suit, Ozekhome had claimed that EFCC continued to harrass him for being an outspoken critic of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari in terms of the anti-corruption war led by Magu.

The court held that serial acts of intimidation and constant invitations the anti-graft agency extended to the senior lawyer, as well as threats to arrest, detain and humiliate him, over publications and speeches he made “in respect of the apparent opaqueness and lopsidedness of the corruption fight of the 1st Respondent (EFCC) under the leadership of the 2nd Respondent (Magu)”, were illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unconstitutional.

It held that the action of the agency constituted a breach of the Ozekhome’s fundamental rights as enshrined in Sections 35, 37, 39 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and Articles 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 & 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act, Cap. A9 LFN 2004.

The court said it was satisfied that Ozekhome established a case of intimidation and harrasment by the Respondents
The judge held that though the court would always restrain itself from interfering with the functions of statutory bodies like the EFCC, “but that is only in so far as such agency is demonstrably shown to be acting pursuant to the veritable spirit of the law”.

“Where the act of such statutory body is shown to be manifestly predicated on illwill, malice and animosity, the law will intervene.

“The Court will never allow the law to be used as instrument of vendetta or vindictiveness as established in this case.
“On the whole, I find that the Applicant has established clear case against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Respondents in the manner of incessant invitation to him.

“This has established the fact that his fundamental rights as enshrined in Ss. 35, 37, 39 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and, Articles 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12 & 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights Ratification and Enforcement Act, Cap. A9 LFN are likely to be contravened.

“In other words, the essence of this case in my opinion is to stop the Respondents from the likely contravening the rights of the Applicant by their actions toward him; where the case is that of likely breach, that is, threat on the part of the Respondents”.

Though the court made consequential orders restraining the Respondents from inviting, arresting or detaining the Applicant, it however declined to either award damages in his favour or compel EFCC to apologize to him.

It held that such reliefs would only apply, “where the case is founded on where the infringement has occured or is occurring”.

Six persons have been killed during an attack on a village in Wasinmi area of Ayedire Local Government Area in Osun State, The Nation has learnt.

The attack caused fear and panic in the village.

It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the village and started shooting indiscriminately.

The reasons for the attack was not yet known at the time of filing this report.

Spokesperson of Osun State Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola confirmed the incident to THE NATION.

She said: “Six people were killed and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Wale Olokode has visited the scene.”

Unknown gunmen on Friday stormed the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation in Mando, Kaduna State and abducted students in the school.

Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Mohammed Jalige who confirmed the incident to newsmen said the exact number of students abducted is currently unknown.

Jalige said Investigations are ongoing, adding that the police is working with the Army to trace the kidnappers.

“They were abducted last night but we have no details of the number of students and I can’t say if they are all female.

“We are currently working with the Nigerian Army to trace the kidnappers and rescue the students,” he said.

Recall that gunmen had earlier abducted students and staff of Government Science Secondary School, Kagara, Niger State, and Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara State.

The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has received final approvals for its ongoing conversion from a mutual, member-owned company to a public limited liability company, paving the way for the public listing and trading of the shares of the Exchange in the nearest future.

Nigeria’s apex capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the regulatory body for corporate affairs, Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) gave the final approvals for the conversion, otherwise known as demutualisation.

With these approvals, the Exchange has now completed its demutualisation process.

Under the demutualisation plan, a new non-operating holding company, the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (‘NGX Group’) has been created.

The Group will have three operating subsidiaries: Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX Limited), the operating exchange; NGX Regulation Limited (NGX REGCO), the independent regulation company; and NGX Real Estate Limited (NGX RELCO), the real estate company. All the entities have been duly registered at the CAC.

President, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Otunba Abimbola Ogunbanjo, said the successful demutualisation was one of his fundamental objectives when he assumed the presidency of the Exchange, noting that SEC’s decision today to approve the NSE’s demutualisation plans brings this aspiration to a successful conclusion in a process that included the passage of the Demutualisation Act through the National Assembly.

“We are elated that this milestone has been achieved as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the commencement of trading at the Exchange and now look forward to the future public listing of its shares on NGX Limited. On behalf of the NSE, I would like to warmly thank all those that have worked assiduously to achieve this watershed event on our journey to make the NSE a multifaceted exchange that extends across various markets and geographical regions,” Ogunbajo said.

The approvals by the SEC and CAC signify that the NSE can now activate its transition plan to a new operational structure and holding company. The extensive transition plan, taking the Group and its subsidiaries through to full operational launch, covers legal and practical changes to enable the functioning of the new corporate structure, with no loss of service and a seamless transition for market participants.

The transition plan will also see the inauguration of Boards for each of the new entities, staff reallocation to their respective functions within the operating subsidiaries, operationalisation of business plans and budgets, technology systems transfer, and the requisite arm’s length agreements between the entities. Upon Operational Launch, the Group’s new brands, including a new website, will be unveiled and the Group will be in position to execute on its strategic vision. Stakeholders, including our new valued shareholders will benefit from The Group’s enhanced Corporate Governance framework, access to capital to fund strategic developments and a more globally competitive Exchange.

The approvals also enable the shares of NGX Group Plc, which have been registered with the SEC, to be allotted to the membership pursuant to the Court approved Scheme of Arrangement. Ahead of its listing on NGX Limited, the shares of NGX Group Plc will be available for bilateral trades to be executed in line with extant rules and regulations of the Nigerian capital market. Otunba Ogunbanjo will serve as the inaugural Chairman of NGX Group Plc’s Board of Directors.

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, said the Nigerian capital markets should play a role commensurate with Nigeria’s status as Africa’s largest economy.

“At the Nigerian Stock Exchange, we have a vision that the new group will become the premier exchange hub for Nigerian businesses and for the African economy. We are implementing a series of measures towards this goal, demutualisation being a critical milestone. The completion of demutualisation is a truly significant moment, and we welcome the new possibilities that have opened up for us today,” Onyema said.

Demutualisation of the NSE is pivotal in that it creates new strategic opportunities that will enable the Group realise its vision of becoming Africa’s leading capital market infrastructure provider. The creation of a holding company and a new capital structure will also enable NGX Group Plc to form new dynamic relationships, drive strategic partnerships and gain capital raising flexibility. It will be recalled that NSE members approved at its last AGM, the listing by introduction of NGX Group Plc on NGX Limited.

Fifty-two men and three women of Nigerian, Albanian, Italian and Gambian nationalities have been arrested in three countries, in a major drug bust by Italian police.

Police in Italy said the large drug trafficking network use buses to bring marijuana from Albania to Germany and other countries.

The suspects were said to have brought illegal drugs from the southern Albanian city of Vlora to Italy, where they were repackaged and distributed using buses and trains, according to the Carabinieri forces.

The police said one couple was detained in Germany.

Italian authorities closely collaborated with authorities in Germany and Albania, based on investigations from 2018 and 2019, which at the time also led to dozens of arrests, the Carabinieri said.

THE Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its allies will on Wednesday, embark on a nationwide protest over the alleged attempts by some elements at the National Assembly to remove the Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent Legislative List.

A statement from the NLC headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday stated that the mobilization will start from the Unity Fountain Abuja at 7:30 am to the National Assembly complex.

Benin Republic goalkeeper Allagbe Saturnin says the Super Eagles must be prepared for a tough battle when both teams clash this month in a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match, reports Completesports.com.

The Squirrels will host their neighbours at the Stade Charles de Gaulle on Saturday, March 27.

The Super Eagles defeated Michel Dussuyer’s side 2-1 on matchday one at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo.

Allagbe insists they will go all out for a win against the three-time African champions.

“We have our goal. It is to qualify us. Nigeria are the favorites but we are going to push them around as much as possible,” the Dijon of France goalkeeper told ojbsport.com.

Nigeria top Group L with eight points from four games, while Benin sit in second position with seven points from the same number of matches.

BREAKING: Gunmen on Motorcycles kill at least four farmers in Konkobudo village, Idiyan axis, a border village located between Ibarapa North and Iwajowa Local Government Areas of Oyo State.

Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has admitted this is the lowest point of his managerial career.

Mario Lemina’s goal for Fulham, inflicted a sixth straight home defeat on the Premier League champions on Sunday.

It represents the Reds’ worst run in the club’s history.

“My boys wanted it. Believe me, they want to win games. I see how much it hurts. It’s easy to judge it that way because Fulham won, so you say they wanted it more.

“But I don’t think that’s the problem. I don’t have to stand here and say we’re fighting for this or that,” Klopp said.

When asked if it was one of the lowest points in his managerial reign, he replied: “I would wish to say no but yes it is.

“That’s not a problem. I don’t always have to have the best times. This team is an extreme team. We were extremely successful and now we have an extreme situation as well but we will fight through.”

Liverpool have lost six home games in a single Premier League season for the first time in their history.

They’ve all come in the past 46 days �

Potiskum business Community were thrown into pandemonium when they sighted a flame burning multi-million naira properties at the western part of the area.

Nasiru Alhaji Mato, Chairman of the United Marketers Association Potiskum chapter (UMAPO) confirmed to Daily Independent on telephone conversation.

According to him “I’m currently at the scene of the fire disaster, we could not know the actual cause of the inferno but Fire Fighters have immediately responded our call and are doing their best to put off the fire”.

Some suspected Boko Haram insurgents have urged the Federal High Court in Lagos to declare their detention for 12 years without trial as illegal and unconstitutional.

Through their lawyer Mr Ahmed Adetola-Kazeem of the Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy Initiative (PRAI), they are praying for an order directing their unconditional release forthwith.

They also seek an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further interfering with their fundamental rights in any manner.

The Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Controller-General of the Correctional Service are the respondents.

The applicants seek an order directing the Federal Government to pay them N303million as compensation for their unlawful and unconstitutional arrest and detention.

PRAI filed the fundamental rights enforcement suit on the suspects’ behalf.

It argues that their being in custody since July 2009 was illegal.

The suspects were moved to Lagos in March 2011 and are currently detained at the Kirikiri Maximum and Medium Custodial Centres without trial.

They claimed they were denied access to their families and lawyers.

In the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/166/2021, PRAI is praying for a declaration that their arrest and continued detention for 11 years without proper arraignment and trial in a court of competent jurisdiction is unlawful, unconstitutional and constitutes an infringement/violation of their fundamental rights to freedom of personal liberty and to be tried within a reasonable time.

The suit will be heard on Monday before Justice Mohammed Liman.

In the last one month, the affinity between former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode and the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello calls into question. Fani-Kayode, a staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, since 2015 has never seen anything good in the All Progressives Congress, APC. But this new alliance has set tongues wagging as to what Fani-Kayode is up to.

The affinity started early last month when Fani-Kayode met with Bello and the APC Interim Chairman, Mai Mala Buni. The critic splashed photos of the meeting on his twitter page, fueling speculation that he is on his way to APC and many stalwart of the party kicked against Fani-Kayode pitching his tent with the APC.

Few days later, Bello announced openly that Fani-Kayode has joined the APC and that he was welcomed. Fani-Kayode had always referred to APC as darkness and had consistently attacked President Muhammadu Buhari. But since that meeting with Bello, Fani-Kayode stopped attacking Buhari, in fact, for up to a month now, the former Aviation Minister has not attacked Buhari, unlike when he used to attack him on daily basis.

With the tension generated by the purported planned defection of Fani-Kayode to APC, he came up to denounce the move, saying he was still in PDP. But with the way he spoke, he never said he would not join APC in the future or would not leave PDP.

Shortly after that, Fani-Kayode is back with Bello again, going around with him to functions like a bodyguard. Bello has succeeded in dragging Fani-Kayode to the Presidential Villa, Abuja for a press conference after a meeting with the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs and Cattle Dealers who stopped foodstuff from coming to Southwest.

The critic of APC tweeted after the meeting, saying “Over the last three days His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state presided over a series of crucial meetings on the food embargo against the South with Alhaji Muhammed Tahir (the President of the Amalgamated Union of Foodstuffs & Cattle Dealers of Nigeria and their Chairmen from all the 36 states and the FCT), Dr. Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu (the President of the Northern Consensus Movement),Alhaji Abdullahi Mai Agogo (Sarkin Yaki Buhari),Alhaji Shettima Yerima& I.

“We worked extremely hard & well into the early hours of each of the mornings on the assignment given to us. In the end we give thanks to God that we achieved all our objectives. Amongst them were the fact that we averted a major crisis, we ensured there were no reprisal killings of southerners in the north after the Shasha killings.

“We ensured that there was no tribal war, we ensured that the food embargo placed on the South by the Union was lifted, we stabilised a very tense and dangerous situation which had the potential of tearing our nation apart in a very violent way and we brought peace and unity to the country.

“To round it all up we held a press conference at Kogi State Govt. Lodge in Abuja yesterday afternoon & another later in the evening at the Presidential Villa after having a fruitful and productive meeting with Professor Gambari, Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.”

Fani-Kayode now seems to stylishly drum support for the presidential ambition of Bello in 2023. The romance with Bello might not be unconnected with the 2023 move.

In one of his post, Fani-Kayode said “every single one of the six geo-political zones in Nigeria has produced a Head of State with full executive powers. However the Middle Belt and South East are the only two zones that have never produced an elected President with full executive powers. Both zones have a strong claim for 2023.”

Tacitly, the former aviation minister is campaigning for Bello who is from Middle Belt and has ambition to be president in 2023.

To cap it up, Bello visited Fani-Kayode in his Abuja home and he quickly took to Twitter to download photos of the meeting and comment.

“It was an honoured and pleasure to receive His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi state in my Abuja home yesterday. We had a wonderful time and my entire household was thrilled by his presence. We shall continue to build bridges and to work hard and interact across party lines for the unity and progress of our country,” he tweeted.

Fani-Kayode has been lambasted on social media for his romance with Bello, with people tagging the Kogi State governor’s presidential ambition as a ‘bad market.’ Some alleged that Fani-Kayode is getting close to Bello for his ‘belly.’

But Nigerians are watching to see where this romance will end. Many believe there is something between the duo that the public is not yet aware, but will be made manifest as 2023 gets closer.

Liverpool don lose five straight league matches for Anfield for dey first time since we begin exist.

Anfield don turn to Father Christmas parlour �

#LFC #LFCIP

The Benue Security Council, on Thursday, imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew on three local government areas of the state as part of measures to contain criminal activities in the vicinity.

The affected areas are Logo, Ukum and Katsina-Ala LGs where security agencies had in recent times beamed their searchlight in a bid to curb the menace of banditry, kidnapping and armed robbery among other insecurity challenges.

Also, the council placed a N5m bounty on the head of killers of Chief Terkura Suswam, an elder brother of a former Governor of the state, Senator Gabriel Suswam, urging the public to provide any useful information which could help security personnel apprehend the culprits.

Governor of the state, Samuel Ortom, who made this known while briefing journalists at the end of an expanded state security council meeting in Makurdi, explained that the curfew remains in force with immediate effect between 6:00 pm and 6:00 am daily.

Ortom also said that the council had resolved to ban the use of old model Toyota Corolla popularly used in the area for criminality just as it sustained the ban on the use of motorcycles of all kinds pending further review of the security situation.

Security agents to impound vehicles

He said security agencies in the state have also been mandated by the council to arrest and impound all vehicles within the category of the ban while commercial vehicles must update their papers to ensure that they are not fake.

The governor emphasised that the decision to include Logo Local Government Area in the ban followed heinous attacks on residents, the recent being the killing of Chief Suswam and his aide on Tuesday night.

“Council declares total war on criminal elements, bandits and all forms of criminality in the state.

“This decision is coming when President Muhammadu Buhari has also declared war on anyone carrying AK47,” he posited.

Ortom, however, informed that the council resolved to sensitise all schools in the state including those in the three local government areas which made up Sankara on the need to be security conscious in the face of general insecurity in the country.

“We will set up a committee to monitor the sensitization while security will be mounted on strategic places.

“We will profile all schools in the state so they can recommend to us the best approach to employ in securing the educational sector,” he added.

The impeached Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Oludare Kadiri, has dismissed his purported removal as an “infraction,” stressing that it is “grossly unconstitutional and illegal.”

Kadiri, in a swift reaction to his impeachment which was made available to The Nation, said he was already consulting with his lawyers with a move to challenge the “infraction” that the purported removal represents.

He urged his teeming supporters, constituents and members of APC in Ijebu North II State Constituency to remain calm as the issues that threw up this unwarranted action would be sorted out.

He said: “I just received the news of my purported impeachment based on the report of an ad-hoc committee set up by the Ogun State House of Assembly. The development, to say the least, was grossly unconstitutional and illegal.

“However, I have initiated consultation with my lawyers to fashion out the best possible way to address this infraction. I urge my teeming supporters, constituents and members of my political party in Ijebu North II State Constituency to remain calm as the issues that threw up this unwarranted action are sorted.

“In whatever capacity I find myself now or in the future, I remain committed to the ideals of a functional legislature, tenets of democracy and good governance.”

Over fifty persons were said to have been kidnapped by armed bandits along the Tegina-Minna road in Rafi Local Government of Niger state.

The incident, it was gathered occured, Tuesday, when the three commercial vehicles conveying nine passengers including the drivers ran into the road block at Kundu set up by the bandits.

A source told DAILY POST that the passengers in the three cars were kidnapped and conveyed to an unknown location and the vehicles were left by the road side.

Similarly, in a related development, armed bandits also attacked Gidigoro town in Rafi council and abducted some villagers, burnt five cars and went away with valuables.

Also, one person was killed and many others kidnapped when bandits unleashed terror on Manta town, Shiroro local government on Monday evening.

The bandits, gathered, also ransacked the houses of the villagers and stole their foodstuff and other valuables.

Efforts to get the reaction of the state Police Command failed as at the time of filing this report, as the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Wasiu Abiodun did not pick calls put through his line.

However, a senior government official who does not want the name mentioned, said up until this moment, nothing has been heard from the bandits for the government to know the identities of those abducted.

The development came barely one week after bandits released the abducted Kagara boys.

Set up local vigilantes to tackle insecurity, Akeredolu tells council chairmen in Ondo

…Amotekun is key to security in the State

In a bid to tackle insecurity and rid Ondo state of criminal elements, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu has asked council chairmen across the state to set up local vigilante.

Akeredolu gave the directive during a meeting with the 18 council chairmen in the state.

He said that the issue of insecurity should be tackled holistically hence the need for the council chairmen to be involved.

The Governor assured the people of the state that his administration would ensure that criminal minded elements in the state would be rooted out.

The Governor urged the council chairmen to engage local hunters who can work effectively with the state security network codenamed “Amotekun”.

He assured that, at least, two vehicles will be provided for the Amotekun Corps in each of 18 local government areas across the state, as operational vehicles to aid their fight against criminality.

Akeredolu noted that the Amotekun corps is key to the effective security of lives and properties of the people of the state, urging the local government chairmen to work with the Amotekun corps.

The Governor has approved a regularly monthly meeting with the Chairmen as a way or engaging the representatives of the people at the grassroots level.

Speaking on the issue of the party in the state, Akeredolu reiterated that party supremacy must be adhere strictly to, adding to lack of respect for party supremacy is an invitation to anarchy.

”The election and your emergence both as candidates of the party and elected chairmen are well deserved.

“We must respect the party’s decision. The party’s arrangements on fielding you as candidates for the local government election was based on party supremacy. If you don’t respect it you are inviting anarchy.”

He appreciated the council boss for rejoicing with him on his victory at the poll and his inauguration for a second term in office, stressing that the victory was for all members of the party.

Earlier, the state chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Hon. Augustine Oloruntogbe lauded the governor for conducting local government election in the state in fulfillment of his electioneering campaign.

The 42 persons abducted by bandits in Government Science College Kagara, Niger State have regained freedom.

The abductees include 27 students, 3 staff and 12 members of their family.

Sources said the abductees, who were at a different location from the kidnapped passengers, are also on their way to Minna.

The abducted passengers were said to be in Minna but yet to get to the Government House to meet Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello, who will receive them officially.

Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, was arrested for breaking into the Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments, the state police command has said.

SaharaReporters had reported how the state government seized the estate allegedly belonging to Nkechi, wife of the former governor.

Enyinnaya Onuegbu, the commissioner for lands, had on Friday led a team of government officials and police officers to seal the property situated along Akachi Road in Owerri, the state capital.

In response, Okorocha on Sunday stormed the facility, demanding to be allowed in but the security personnel on the ground refused to open the gate.

The lawmaker representing Imo West Senatorial District was said to have ordered his men to make way for him to enter the place and they forced the gates open.

On the orders of Okorocha, the gates were flung open and the men with him also allegedly destroyed vehicles and injured the security guards at the place.

Not long after forcibly gaining access into the property, masked police operatives led by two aides of Governor Hope Uzodinma identified as Chinasa Nwaneri and Eric Uwakwe arrived to take him away.

Also arrested were Ijeoma Igboanusi, deputy chief of staff when Okorocha was governor, and Lasbrey Okafor-Anyanwu, who was a commissioner in Okorocha’s government.

Two persons were said to have been killed while many others sustained injuries during the incident.

Speaking to journalists, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed Okorocha’s arrest.

Ikeokwu said the police moved to Akachi Road when they received a distress call that the estate sealed by the state government had been forcibly opened by some men led by the senator.

Orlando said, “The command received a distress call regarding what we termed to be unrest at Royal Spring Palm Estate, and the operatives moved to the place. We discovered Okorocha led some persons to the place hitherto sealed by the Imo government.

“The command calmed the situation and invited Okorocha to come and explain why he led the violent breaking into the estate that led to damages.”

Armed bandits on Saturday evening launched another attack on Gurmana Ward in Shiroro local government area of Niger state.

The Nation learnt that over 15 people are suspected to have drowned in River Kaduna as they tried to escape from the bandits attack.

Sources said that the bandits were armed with sophisticated weapons and were shooting sporadically when they entered into thee community.

According to a Source who prefers to remain anonymous, the people had to run towards the river to escape attack adding that in the process, many of them drowned.

“Right now, we don’t know how many drowned. we are suspecting the bandits are still around. We cannot confirm the number of casualties now.”

When contacted, the Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Kokki said that the bandits attacked the community with heavy sophisticated weapons.

He said that the bandits when they attacked the village shot sporadically into the air, adding that there are many casualties but there is no certainty to the number of those affected at the moment.

Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abiodun Wasiu were fruitless as he didn’t pick his phone nor replied to text messages.

Naomi Osaka powered her way to a second Australian Open title with a comprehensive straight sets victory over grand slam final debutant Jennifer Brady.

The match had all the makings of an epic final during a tight first set, but Osaka's class and experience ultimately proved too much as she raced to a 6-4 6-3 victory in just under an hour and a half.

It was the first grand slam final with a significant crowd since last year's Australian Open and with both players producing shots of the highest quality -- in particular during the first set -- those lucky enough to bag a ticket were treated to a spectacle.

Victory gives Osaka her fourth grand slam title at the age of only 23 and she looks set to be a dominant force in women's tennis for some time to come.

Players and officials of ADAMAWA UNITED FC were robbed at gun point around Benin- Ore expressway last night at about 11.45pm on their way to their week 11 NPFL fixture against MFM FC in Lagos.

According to report, their phones,
feeding monies and other valuables were taken away by the criminals.

The team driver was also abducted in the process and as at press time, no one knows his whereabout.

According to journalist, Tony Ademodi, who broke the news this morning, he said some of the players had this season slept in the team bus because there were no accommodation for them.

“For a team that find it difficult to even feed the players, poor salary structure. Players of Adamawa united earn less than 100k per month, some even earn as low as N30,000.

“Most of their games away from home this season, players have slept inside the team bus, as there is no money to pay for hotel bills. Adamawa united have good players, but their problem is poor management and even the Adamawa state governor doesn’t care and is paying deaf ears to the issues bedeviling the club.” He concluded.

This week, Wikki Tourists bus got burnt to ashes when travelling to Uyo, Akwa Ibom for their matchday tie with Dakkada FC. Also, Kano Pillars’ bus was involved in an inferno on Friday.

@followKWSG has directed immediate temporary closure of some grant-aided schools in Ilorin, the State Capital, pending resolution of the hijaab question in the schools.

The affected schools are:

1. C&S College Sabo Oke

2. ST. Anthony College, Offa Road

3. ECWA School, Oja Iya

4. Surulere Baptist Secondary School

5. Bishop Smith Secondary School, Agba Dam

6. CAC Secondary School Asa Dam

7. St. Barnabas Secondary School Sabo Oke

8. St. John School Maraba

9. St. Williams Secondary School Taiwo Isale

10. St. James Secondary School Maraba

The closure comes as a government committee comprising representatives of the Muslim and Christian communities meets today to iron out the differences between the two communities.

Further communication will be issued to inform members of the public on the development.

Government calls for calm and urges parents and religious leaders to avoid actions or comments that may further split the two communities.