RE: Disquiet As America Places Nigerian Minister On Watchlist
Our attention has been drawn to the story with the above title, published in the Sunday Independent newspaper of April 11, 2021.
We have since realized that the information contained in the story has not been verified to be true.
The Minister mentioned in the story, Alhaji Isa Ali Ibrahim, also known as Sheikh Pantami, is not known to be on American Terror Watch List, nor is he linked to terror organisations.
We regret and sincerely apologise for the embarrassment our story has caused the Honourable Minister whom we hold in high regard. - Editor
Nigerian Military Shells ISWAP/Boko Haram Fighters in Guntrucks, Lose Two Soldiers in Damasak
Two young Nigerian soldiers who attempted to capture a Boko Haram informant were killed by terrorists who ambushed them just as the aircraft of the Nigerian Airforce ( NAF) eliminated scores of ISWAP Boko Haram in five guntrucks in Damasak, Borno State.
An intelligence officer told PRNigeria that the young soldiers were killed when they wanted to apprehend a man suspected to be a spy for terrorists.
“The young soldiers suspected the unarmed man who was seen leading terrorists to some warehouses.
“Suspecting that the man was on a mission, rather than shooting him, the soldiers ran after him so that he could be caught alive. Unknown to them terrorists on an ambush with guntrucks opened fire on the two soldiers and the informant.
“Luckily enough, ground troops with air support by NAF aircraft arrived timely enough to engage the gunmen, killing scores of the fighters and destroyed their five guntrucks.
“Some other terrorists were hits close to the perimeter fencing, while others were neutrialised while hiding in the blue roof compound.
“The general security situation within Damasak Town is relatively calm but unpredictable,” the officer said.
Terrorists attacked Damasak town on Saturday after gaining access into the town by maneuvering their way at checking points manned by Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) troops at the west point.
They carted away an Ambulance and a Jeep. They burnt homes of Police DPO, traditional ruler and NRC residents within Damasak town.
They also looted humanitarian offices and slaughtered two unidentified men.
PRNigeria also learnt that the terrorists had camped at Kareto, Jilli, and Bamma Bukar Lawanti in Magumeri LGA for some days before the attack.
The Boko Haram fighters, in a fresh wave of attacks, invaded Damasak town in Borno State on Saturday, setting fire on United Nations facilities and forcing humanitarian workers to flee for their lives.
SaharaReporters learnt that the terrorists, aided by their deadlier Islamic State West African Province fighters, set fire to the UN office and to at least three other international charity organisations contiguous to the UN facility.
“The terrorists came into the town in gun trucks. They first embarked on a looting spree. They carted away aid supplies meant for the Internally Displaced Persons before they set fire to the UN hub in the town and three other buildings belonging to other aid organisations,” a source in the town narrated.
A military source confirmed the Saturday attack on Damasak but said the troops were fighting hard to ensure that the terrorists did not overrun the town.
“They planned to attack the military base first, but we repelled the invasion. Pockets of them then went to the UN facility. The Nigerian Air Force aircraft have been called in and they are currently engaging in air interdictions on the terrorists,” he stated.
UN facilities are becoming increasingly threatened in the North-East.
On March 1, ISWAP jihadists overran a UN hub in Dikwa, killing six civilians and forcing aid workers to retreat from the town despite urgent humanitarian needs temporarily.
On March 15, the fighters had attacked Damasak, the headquarters of the Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno.
The United Nations is yet to react to the latest assault on its facility in the state.
Incident at Bauchi State Command of NCoS Date: 2021/04/10
A little skirmish broke out at the Bauchi State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service on Friday April 9, 2021. This emanated from the attempt of an officer to smuggle a mobile phone into the custodial centre, for the use of inmates.
This is clearly illegal and against the rules. The officer has therefore been apprehended and is being interrogated.
The scuffle occurred between the inmates who were to benefit from the illegal deal and other staff members who enforced the centre’s rules and regulations and busted the plan.
However, two personnel and five inmates sustained injuries in the melee but have been treated and discharged from the facility’s medical unit.
The restive inmates have also been put under control while the staff involved is undergoing interrogation, as ordered by the State Controller. This regrettable development is being investigated.
While addressing the body of staff, the Controller once again reminded them of the far-reaching implications of smuggling prohibited items, particularly mobile phones, into custodial centres which, among others things, could lead to riot, jailbreak and others. Mobile phones can be used by inmates to commit crimes or coordinate criminal activities. This will set back the task of reformation of the inmates, the raison d’etre of the correctional service.
He also noted that the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019 has made provisions for sanctioning anyone found culpable of the offence of trafficking. He therefore, admonished the personnel to shun such shameful act and concentrate on the task of character reformation for which they were employed. He, however, noted that the Service only has place for personnel sold to the goals of keeping society safe from offenders and reforming them into better citizens while in custody.
He commended the officer-charge of the custodial centre and the staff members for the excellent display of professionalism that prevented the smuggling of contraband into the yard.
IKPEAZU PERFORMS GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY OF THE ABA LEATHER AND GARMENT INDUSTRIAL CLUSTER
Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has officially performed the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the Aba Leather And Garment Industrial Cluster and the Enyimba City Garment Industry all located at Umunneato, Umukalika in Obingwa Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Governor Ikpeazu said Enyimba City Garment Industry, which is solely sponsored by his government would be completed this year while the Aba Leather And Garment Industrial Cluster being done in partnership with Total Value Integrated Services Nigeria Limited would equally be completed and commissioned before he leaves office. He said that Aba is a major contributor towards what Nigeria can showcase in leather and garment production, hence the need to provide the needed ambience for the development of the 'can do spirit' of the artisans.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said that since 2015, the strategy of his administration has been to deploy the advantages available in the economies of scale to make sure government provides common services and enable Abia artisans to scale up their manufacturing skills. He directed the contractor to work in line with specifications and ensure proper things are done by creating a sustainable ecosystem to manage storm water in the environment. He urged members of the host communities to continue to give their cooperation to enable the project to be realized accordingly.
The Governor who expressed happiness that finally the State has provided a befitting place for the artisans in the leather and garment sub sector assured that his government would provide everything needed to ensure that artisans in the State occupy their rightful place in the scheme of things.
Earlier in his speech, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industry, Rev. Mba Eme said that the journey that started since 2006 is gradually becoming a reality as the foundation laying ceremony has been performed.
He disclosed that the cluster would contain 15, 000 shops while the Garment Factory will have a capacity of producing 1,500 garments of different kinds daily. The cluster too will have such facilities as Fire Service Station, Police Station, Banks, Clinics, Toilets, CCTV Cameras, Standby Power Supply, among others. According to him, Abia artisans would leverage on the industrial clusters to promote Made in Aba products.
The Project developer Chief Chris Simon of Total Value Integrated Services said that the Leather and Garment Cluster would accomodate leather and garment artisans in Ariaria and other parts of the State. He described the project which is a PPP arrangement between his company and Abia State Government as first of its kind in the State.
President Muhammadu Buhari says he is taking a short rest in London, United Kingdom.
This is contained in his letter on Thursday to King Abdullah ll Bin Al-Hussein, King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, following the resolution of a recent rift in the royal family.
Buhari said he felt much disturbed when he heard reports of the problem but felt reassured when he learnt that everything had been resolved amicably.
“While here in London taking a short rest, I was profoundly disturbed to read from international news agencies of attempts to destabilise the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.”
Buhari stated that the King’s exemplary leadership since ascending the throne has attracted worldwide admiration.
The President observed relations between Nigeria and Jordan have been excellent and ”I thank you for the part you have played in this relationship.
‘‘Your Majesty, I am much heartened that matters have now been resolved and I pray that the Hashemite Kingdom continues to not only remain peaceful, but also a major beacon of hope for the region under Your Majesty’s wise guidance,” the letter added.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege, Dr Patience Jonathan, national leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs under President Goodluck Jonathan are among the dignitaries that honour First Lady, Aisha Buhari at the presentation of her book, “Aisha Buhari Being Different.”
The book being authored by Hajo Sani, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs is being launched at the Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Also present at the event chaired by Asiwaju Tinubu are the Ooni of Ife, Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar III, wife of former Vice President, Amina Sambo and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF and Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi among others.
President Muhammadu Buhari is not among the dignitaries at the Conference Centre of the State House, Abuja, venue of the book launch of Aisha, his wife.
The book, “Aisha Buhari, Being Different”, was authored by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Women Affairs, Dr. Hajo Sani.
Buhari, who is currently in London for a medical check-up, is being represented by Prof Ibrahim Gambari, his Chief of Staff.
Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; his wife, Dolapo, are among the dignitaries in attendance.
Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho has been nominated for the PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award in March, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors.
- Kelechi Iheanacho is nominated for the Bristol Street Motors PFA Fans’ Player of the Month award
- The Leicester City striker scored seven goals in four games for the Foxes in March
- City picked up seven Premier League points from a possible nine and reached the semi-finals of the Emirates FA Cup
Following a superb strike during the 1-1 draw at Burnley, the Nigeria international added another to his tally in a 2-1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion, before netting a first Foxes hat-trick in a 5-0 success over Sheffield United at King Power Stadium.
Iheanacho then made it seven goals in four games in all competitions with a brace of efforts in a 3-1 victory over Manchester United on Filbert Way, securing Leicester's place in the semi-finals of the Emirates FA Cup for the first time since 1982.
The 24-year-old forward is nominated alongside Luke Shaw (Manchester United), Alexandre Lacazette (Arsenal), Jesse Lingard (West Ham United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) and Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City).
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State has slashed March salaries of political office holders by 50 per cent.
This comes barely 24 hours after the state hinted that it was impossible to pay civil servants their full consolidated wages for the month of March due to what it attributed to the drop in federal allocation.
Among those affected by the pay cut are the governor, deputy governor, all commissioners, special advisers, senior special assistant and special assistants.
Other are chairmen, vice chairmen, elected councillors, supervisory councillors, advisers and secretaries of local governments.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kano Information Commissioner, Muhammad Garba, said the pay cut was due to shortfall in the revenue accruing to the state from the federation account.
The state chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has, however, given the government a seven-day ultimatum to refund and stop what it described as “illegal deduction” from civil servants.
NLC insisted that failure to do so would make workers to embark on a three-day warning strike from midnight of April 7.
Daily Trust reports that in March, Kano received a total allocation of N12.4bn from the federation account, out of which the state collected N6.1bn, while the 44 Local Governments collected N6.3bn.
It, however, insisted that it will have to source additional money to pay the consolidated wages to workers, which is currently not available.
Our dear city of Owerri had its peace and tranquillity shattered by heavily armed hoodlums who blasted open the doors of the correctional facility, facilitating the escape of well over 1,000 inmates; many of whom were dangerous criminals.
They also attacked the police headquarters at “Shell Camp” burning several vehicles and even attempting to overtake the police armoury, if not for the effective resistance of the police.
An attack on the critical institutions of law enforcement, police stations and prisons is an attack on the safety, security and well being of the citizens.
It is not merely an attack on law and order. It is a mindless attack on the people and the way of life of the people. When you attack police stations and free dangerous criminals, you put women, men, children and their possessions and livelihoods at risk.
Whatever the motives of the perpetrators, the action is egregious and atrocious in the extreme and all men and women of goodwill must openly condemn this assault on the way of life of the good people of this State.
Perhaps more than any other part of the country, this region has borne witness to the terrible cost of lives, liberty and progress that is caused by conflict.
It is in this beautiful land, that our county learned an enduring lesson on the futility of violence. But there are those who believe that to resolve issues and conflicts other than by violence is cowardliness.
If the voices of their hatred prevails we will experience the terrible and fruitless loss of life that violence begets. Our system is not perfect, and we can seek to perfect it.
There is no earthly system that is perfect, but what democracy and the institutions of democratic governance provide, are channels, however imperfect for seeking redress for injury, for peacefully addressing the problems that ail us.
There are many who are working tirelessly everyday to improve our system, to build up and to enhance it. We must therefore, reject the agents of anarchy that seek to weaponize the frustration and discontent of young people, for their own profit.
The path of violence can only lead to disaster, that consumes everyone, at least to the desolation of our communities. It is easy to take peace for granted, but we need not learn the value of peace through the horrible crucible of war.
Anyone who perpetrates violence does not represent the progressive mindedness of the good people of this State & this region. I call on all of us to come together to resist any attempts to turn the progress and peace that this zone is set to experience to conflict and disruption.
The security in this city and the State since yesterday have been further enhanced and we expect to strengthen security capacity even more here. The search for the escaped inmates of the correctional facility has begun in earnest.
I especially want to thank the Governor of the State for his calm, measured but firm handling of the security situation in the State. The Federal Government stands with you, and the great people of IMO State at this very crucial time.
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped a family of five from Ajowa Akoko north west local government area of Ondo while returning to Abuja after Easter break.
Ibrahim Olusa, a native of Daja Ajowa and his wife and children were abducted at gun point by hoodlums between Ajowa Akoko and Ayere in kogi state
Their abduction has thrown the town into apprehension and confusion.
Family sources said the kidnappers have contacted the family and are demanding for 10million naira as ranson before they can be released.
A resident of Ajowa Akoko and the immediate past chairman of Ajowa Akoko community council mr Ajayi Bakare attributed the kidnapping and robberies on that road to the deplorable section belongs to kogi state.
Mr. Bakare appealed to government to rehabilitate the road so that free flow of vehicles will be made possible.
The attention of the Nigerian Air Force has been drawn to an online publication by THISDAY Newspaper of 5 April 2021 on the crash involving the NAF Alpha Jet aircraft earlier reported missing.
The report, with the caption, “Wreckage of Missing NAF Alpha Jet 475 Found in Bama ,” claimed that the missing aircraft as well as the body of one of the missing pilots have been found.
A statement by the the Airforce Director Public relations Air Commodore EDWARD GABKWET nites that from the day the reader of the aircraft lost contact control on 31 March 2021, the NAF as a professional fighting force has been keeping members of the public abreast and updated on the missing aircraft and combined efforts of the NAF and Nigerian Army(NA) search and rescue team to locate the crashed aircraft.
The Airforce described the report as disheartening that such an unverified story could be published without any effort to confirm its veracity from the Nigerian Airforce.
Hundreds of shops at the popular Araromi Auto Spare Parts Market at Agodi-Gate, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital have been razed by fire that started in the market at in the early hours of Saturday April 3, 2021.
Eyewitnesses account revealed that the inferno started at midnight and the fire was still raging with fury as at 8:30am when this reporter got to the scene.
Though distress calls were made to the Oyo State Fire Service, the timely response of the fire fighters, however, could not stop the inferno as the road to access the scene have been blocked by auto spare parts that were dumped on the road.
The two teams of fire fire fighters that came to the market parked their trucks at nearest place to the scene and they dragged their water hoses to battle the inferno. But could not really do anything tangible to stop the fire based on lack of access and their water hoses could not get to the scene.
The traders that came to the market were seen packing off the spare parts on the road as at 8:15a.m in order to clear the way for the fire fighters to get to the scene and quench the inferno.
As at the time the first fire truck accessed the scene, the fire had destroyed shops and goods in them for eight and half hours.
According to some traders, the fire was caused by a power surge in one of the shops in the market, adding that the market just had electricity supply restored recently after years of being without light.
A trader, who simply identified himself as Samson and deals in Toyota spare parts in the market, said the last time a similar inferno occurred in the auto spare market was 38 years ago.
A resident of Agodi-Gate, Pelumi Abdullahi, said: “As I gathered, the fire started around 12 midnight and still burning as at 8:30am today. My Uncle’s shop is among the burnt ones. Everything he has in the shop has been burnt. He is betraying emotions now. He does not know where to start again,”
Some other traders have also gathered in the market, watching helplessly as the fire burnt the shops. They cried, wailed and prayed for assistance from the the government.
As at the time of filing this report, fire fighters are still battling to put out the inferno.
Malam Isa Gusau is the Spokesperson to the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum
My 3 issues with Boko Haram’s claim of shooting down a NAF jet.
1. In the video, a corpse from the bombed jet, looked swollen. This gives potential indication, that the corpse may have been there for more than 24 hours or so. Corpse just shot, shouldn’t swell so quickly.
Possibly, the insurgents saw a jet that had crashed and bombed it.
2. The camera shot, showing grenade traveling on air, would rarely happen spontaneously, it had to come from a drone, anticipating that recording.
Boko Haram could not have known the jet was coming, let alone arrange to record shots from rocket launchers, traveling on air as we see in movies.
3. If Boko Haram was that prepared to spontaneously capture a travelling shot from rocket launcher, how come the camera did not capture the NAF jet during the impact?
National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, will chair the launch of a book written in honour of Nigeria's First Lady, Aisha Buhari.
The book titled “Aisha Buhari Being Different” and written by Dr. Hajo Sani, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs and Administration (Office of the First Lady), is billed to be launched on April 8, at the Conference Centre, State House, Abuja.
Details from the invitation letters sighted by SaharaReporters indicated that Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Abdusamad Rabiu, Prince Authur Eze, Hajiya Bola Shagaya and Femi Otedola are among the dignitaries expected to grace the ceremony where Aisha will formally unveil the book.
While Tinubu will chair the event, Folorunsho Alakija is expected to be the special guest of honour.
The book is expected to be reviewed by Professor Fatai Aremu.
Other dignitaries invited to participate in the official presentation are Mohammadu Indimi, Jim Ovia, Kessignton Adebutu, Daisy Danjuma, and Idahosa Wells Okunbo, while the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Mohammad Bello and his counterpart in Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, will both serve as chief hosts.
Some royal fathers such as the Ooni of Ife, Adeyẹ́yẹ̀ Ẹnitan Bàbátunde Ògúnwusi; Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'adu Abubakar III and the King of Nchia Eleme Kingdom, Ambassador Appolus Chu are expected to grace the occasion.
Aisha had few weeks after the 2015 presidential election revealed that it was Tinubu who convinced her to join the campaign train of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The First Lady was absent at Buhari’s campaign rallies until January 13, 2015 when she was unveiled at an APC rally at the M.K.O. Abiola stadium in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun state.
“It was my personal decision not to come out for campaign because I needed to take care of the home front while her husband was in the field campaigning,” she said.
“It was Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who talked me into it before I decided to join the train.”
Meanwhile, the relationship between Buhari and Tinubu has been a subject of public discourse of late, especially as the 2023 presidential election gets closer.
Political analysts have rumoured the presidential ambition of the former governor of Lagos State but some chieftains in the South-West tenaciously believe that Buhari will not hand over power to him.
For Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, age is nothing but just a number.
The ex-president has continued to dazzle many Nigerians with his youthful energy ranging from his unique dancing steps to athleticism.
Recently, he left tongues wagging again when he donned a stylish native wear with a black cap and his glasses.
In a photo circulating on social media, Obasanjo struck a beautiful pose typical of an elegant youth with smiles etched on his face.
The dress was made by Balogun Olamilekan of Crownlek Afrik.
Obasanjo served as Nigeria’s military head of state from 1976 to 1979.
He was also elected the country’s president on May 29, 1999; a position he held till 2007 before he was succeeded by succeeded by the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
PRESIDENT BUHARI FELICITATES WITH CHRISTIANS AT EASTER
President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with Christians on the occasion of this year’s Easter celebration.
The President recalls that a year ago, “in most of our major cities, our celebrations were somewhat subdued, as we battled the effect of the deadly Coronavirus pandemic.
“The restrictions meant that our brethren could not attend traditional church services as they would have wished. I salute their resilience and understanding.
“Today, we are able to congregate and worship together, cautiously.”
President Buhari deeply acknowledges and appreciates the sacrifices of our doctors, nurses and other frontline health workers, “who have made the difference in saving lives and ensuring the reduction of the spread of the virus.
“I thank Nigerians who have religiously adhered to various interventions to curb the spread of COVID-19, including regular hand washing; safe distancing, wearing of face masks, and embrace of vaccination.
“We are united in our belief that if we do the right things, take the right decisions and act responsibly, the pandemic, like others before it, will no longer be a threat.”
As Christians celebrate Easter, the President says it is an opportunity to renew hope and faith, show love and appreciation to one another and not to despair, no matter the challenges of the period.
“As a government, we will continue to ensure that the weak, the poor and the underprivileged in our midst are not abandoned.
“We have reached out with palliative care even in the midst of dwindling resources; we have tried our best to provide support to families and businesses affected at this time.
“That is the spirit of Easter. The spirit of Faith. The spirit of Belief. The spirit of Hope.”
The President equally commends our law enforcement and military personnel who continue to confront evil-minded individuals through the darkest of nights to keep us safe.
“I am convinced that the new resolve within the security personnel to make sure that insecurity in the country becomes part of our history will come to pass.
“We should not allow the antics of a few mischief mongers to fragment the unity and faith that the vast majority of citizens of this country cherish and believe in. As I’ve said before, we are better and stronger as one nation under God.
“I congratulate our brothers and sisters once again on this occasion and wish everyone a Happy Easter celebration.”
Less than 24 hours after gunmen attacked Prof Chukwuma Soludo, a former CBN governor and the governorship aspirant under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the forthcoming Anambra 2021 guber election, the Anambra State Police Command, says it has arrested one suspect in connection with the incident.
The arrest was contained in a statement made available to journalists in Awka on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ikenganya Tochukwu.
According to Tochukwu, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Monday Bala Kuryas, in the evening hours of March 31, 2021, led a crack team of police operatives for an on-the-spot assessment of the venue of a stakeholders/ community meeting at Isuofia Civic Centre in Aguata LGA, which came under attack same date at about 1730hrs by yet to be identified armed hoodlums.
The assailants were resisted by security operatives present at the event, and in the ensuing gun duel, three police operatives sustained severe gunshots injuries and were later confirmed dead in the hospital. Their corpses have been deposited in the mortuary.
Following the incident, the attackers abducted one Emeka Ezenwanne, the State Commissioner for Water Resources and Public Utilities.
Meanwhile, one person has been arrested in connection with the act.
Tochukwu said the CP also visited the former CBN Governor, Prof Soludo to reinforce the security in his house and the community entirely.
“To this end, the CP while condemning the act, commiserates with the family and friends of the officers who paid the supreme price, ordered the immediate launch of a tacit investigation to unravel the mystery behind the incidence, as well as to bring perpetrators of the barbaric act to book.
“He also called on the residents in the state to join hands in the fight against crime and criminality.”
In his response, the PPRO said, Soludo thanked the commissioner and his team for the quick response.
Gunmen, a while ago, attacked the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Prof. Charles Soludo, killing three policemen guarding him.
The incident took place in his community, Isuofia, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State during a meeting with the youths of the community.
Eyewitnesses at the event told Daily Sun that Soludo was safe but his whereabouts was unknown. Unconfirmed reports have it that the Commissioner for Public Utilities, Emeka Ezenwanne, who was at the event was taken away by the gunmen.
Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident but said that he was still gathering information on the ugly development.