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The Defence Headquarters has debunked reports that it was recruiting Boko Haram ex- fighters into the Nigerian military, insisting that such reports were false. According to a statement signed by Acting Director, Defence Information, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the claims was not true and there was no such plans in the offing by the military. He noted that the de-radicalization, rehabilitation and reintegration program which was ongoing was a Federal Government program conducted under the auspices of Operation Safe Corridor as a non- kinetic operation. A

According to him, over 250 repentant insurgents who willingly abandoned their struggle and surrendered to federal troops have been de-radicalized, rehabilitated and re-integrated into the society by their respective state governments in conjunction with traditional and religious institutions. Nwachukwu explained that Nigeria’s de-radicalization model was not new in the global community, as such model exists in Algeria, Colombia, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, where persons involved in violent extremism have been de-radicalized and rehabilitated hence the process was an internationally acceptable practice.

He noted that the de-radicalized ex-fighters were doing well in their respective communities, as no adverse report has been recorded against the de-radicalized repentant ex fighters by Operation Safe Corridor’s monitoring unit adding that there has not been report of molestation or harassment of any sort against them by members of the communities, where they are resettled.

He noted that the Federal Government of Nigeria has continued to prosecute BHT/ISWAP suspects in courts of competent jurisdiction and over 500 terrorists have so far been convicted as the next round of prosecution for another batch would commence soon.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/nigerian-military-not-recruiting-b-haram-ex-fighters.html

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The Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has expressed satisfaction with the judgment on the police officer who killed a Nigerian in South Africa. A South African police constable, Austin Luciano Reynold, was found guilty of the 2018 murder of a Nigerian, Ebuka Okoli, in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal. Okoli was shot at close range during an unauthorised raid by the police on the community where he resided.

Appearing before Judge Shyam Gyanda on Friday on one charge of murder and three charges of robbery, the accused was found guilty on all four charges. ASentencing has been scheduled for December 2, 2019, and the accused is likely to face a 15-year jail term. In a statement issued by the Head of Media and Public Relations Unit of the Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said, “We are glad that justice has been done. We had always stated that there has to be consequences for actions. We are glad that this case finally came to an end and South Africa has demonstrated the political will to deal with xenophobia.”

The NIDCOM boss implored Nigerians in South Africa to adhere to President Muhammadu Buhari’s advice to be the best wherever they find themselves. She added that Nigeria and South Africa would continuously work to ensure that those who perpetuate crime irrespective of their nationality should face the penalty for their actions. She commended the Nigerian Mission in Johannesburg for painstakingly following through with the case and other cases involving Nigerians.

The Consul-General of Nigeria in South Africa, Mr. Godwin Adama, said he was also happy that the case came to an end with the judgment. He disclosed that the second case of eight police men being tried for the murder of another Nigerian, Ibrahim Olamilekan Badmus, was adjourned till April 2020 for final ruling due to some technical issues.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/s-africa-killing-were-glad-justices-served-dabiri-erewa.html

The British Government, through the Prosperity Fund’s Digital Access Programme is collaborating with the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to develop a new six years National Broadband Development Plan. The previous National Broadband Plan (2013 -2018) expired on the 31st of December 2018.

The project will require a mix of technical expertise for supporting the drafting of the plan, conducting outreach activities and facilitating of technical retreats as well as related events for stakeholder engagement, officials from the two countries said on Saturday. These activities will generate essential inputs for the process of drafting a robust plan that will be implementable and will usher-in broad economic development, they added.

Speaking during the ‘Letter of Intent’ signing at the Federal Ministry of Communications Headquarters in Abuja, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson, said “This project contributes to the UK Government’s Prosperity Fund objective of promoting inclusive, affordable, accessible, safe and secure internet access for the socio-economic development of underserved communities in Nigeria” The Head of the UK Government’s Digital Access Programme, Idongesit Udoh, said “The new broadband plan is expected to raise the broadband penetration level in Nigeria to between 65% – 66% over the next six (6) years. It will provide national leadership and strategic sectorial direction for country-wide broadband connectivity and provide a basis for a more thriving digital ecosystem and inclusive economic development.” The project is expected to be concluded by the 31st of March, 2020.

The Minister for Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, welcomed the partnership and expressed appreciation for the UK Government’s support in growing the Nigeria’s tech ecosystem which will in turn grow the Nigerian economy. Dr. Pantami said the tech sector in Nigeria is adding more to the Nigerian economy and expressed optimism that the new broadband plan when developed and implemented will promote inclusive economic growth in Nigeria.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/uk-to-develop-new-national-broadband-plan-for-nigeria.html

The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, has ordered all street traders, commercial drivers and squatters to vacate the outer Marina area. He also threatened to prosecute whoever fails to adhere to the directive while disclosing plans by the state government to commence work on the beautification and landscaping of the area. The commissioner said in a statement that operatives of the State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Unit would from next week move to the area to enforce the law.

He urged all commercial vehicle operators in the area to move to the designated parks, warning them against picking passengers along the road. He also urged pedestrians to use the overhead bridge, saying defaulters would be arrested. “The State Task Force on Environment will soon move to Ikoyi and Victoria Island to clean up the area by ridding it of all environmental nuisances, hawkers and street traders among others,” he said.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/lagos-govt-orders-traders-drivers-out-of-marina.html

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN), Mr. Oladipo Olasope, on Friday said the men of the bench are not happy with the docility and unnecessary silence from Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over the proposed Hate Speech Bill that has passed second reading at the National Assembly. He said the NBA should have set up a committee to review the bill and approach a competent court of law to stop the bill before it is being pass into law.

The legal luminary who spoke to journalists at the special round-table discussion, tagged: ‘Criminalising Hate Speech: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly,’ organised by the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Ibadan Chapter, held at the Afe Babalola Bar Centre, Ibadan said the bill was a beginning of anarchy if not stopped.

The programme, which was chaired by Olasope, also had a member of NBA, Bode Elemide, and chairmanship candidate for December 18, 2019 election of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Mr. Ademola Babalola, who was represented by a notable member of the union, Mr. Oluseye Ojo, as panelists. Olasope stated: “We don’t need a particular law on hate speech because it will run contrary to Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution. Concerning defamation, we already have laws here and there, so why are we talking about this? “Section 24 of the Cybercrime Law also talks about when you publish offensive things about people. We do not have to criminalise and say that is hate speech law.

Our democracy should continue to grow and not gagged. “I expected the NBA to have done something about this issue by now. The bill has continued to grow and passed the second reading. By now, NBA should be in court. NBA is not expected to be docile. The NBA should go to court to challenge it and get an injunction before it goes further. That is what I believe the bar should do.

The press should also do the same.” Speaking on the effect of the bill on the media, one of the panelists, Ademola Babalola said: “Honesty, I do not see any justification for Anti-Hate Speech Bill because we already have laws on defamation of character and cybercrimes. What could have been in the bill that the laws on defamation of character and cybercrimes have not dealt with? “The Nigerian Guild of Editors(NGE) and Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) have come out seperately to condemn the bill and that it is a way to gag the press. “We are practising democracy as a form of government in Nigeria and the principles of plurality of opinions and views are very central to its success .

So, I don’t think the Anti-Hate Speech Bill will respect the plurality of opinions and views. And we live in a plural society. So, the bill should not be allowed to see the light of the day. “Some people are saying the bill is actually designed to favour a particular tribe in Nigeria on expansionist agricultural agenda, and of it becomes an act, it will abolish Federal Character and catchment areas for admission into tertiary institutions, and may give uncontrollable powers to anti-graft agencies.”

On the legal aspect of the bill, Mr. Bode Elemide, said he had read a copy of the bill and that it is not the best for the country because it will create more problems in the country than it is trying to solve, adding that “What the bill is saying in some aspects is that if I received two visitors, let’s say one Yoruba and one Fulani.

If I gave the Yoruba a bottle of soft drink and the Fulani a sachet of water, I have committed an offence. “I think an aspect of the bill is saying Nigerians should be treated equally in any part of the country and they should have equal rights with people of other tribes any where they reside in the country.”

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/anti-hate-speech-bill-we-are-sad-nba-is-docile-unnecessarily-silent-san.html

As pensioners groan under unpaid arrears Former governors are drawing billions as retirement allowances from state governments while pension arrears of retired workers have continued to accumulate, Daily Trust investigation has revealed. On Wednesday, different groups including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) commended the Zamfara State House of Assembly for abolishing the…

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/ex-governors-receive-billions.html

The Federal Government will on Thursday confer the National Productivity Order of Merit Award on Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, and the Chairman of Channels TV, John Momoh among others. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday. Ngige said that 25 individuals and 7 organisations were drawn from all sectors of the economy to be conferred with the National Productivity Order of Merit Award (NPOM).

He noted that the award has created desired competitive spirit among government officials at the Federal, State, Local government levels and the private sector who constantly strive to improve productivity. The awardees also include Prof Ishaq Oloyede, Chief Richard Onwuka Egbule, Deputy Corps Marshal Ojeme Ewhrudjakpor, Aishatu Abubakar, Hajia Vivian Idama, Georgina Ekpeoma Ehuriah, Prof Hussaini Doko Ibrahim, Abubakar Mamu, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (rtd), Ahmed Umar Farouk, Olanrewaju Adigun Fagbohun and Prof. Benjamin Ozumba. Also on the list are Chief Nabila Ahmed Saleh, Lawal Aliyu, Al-Hassan Saleh Yakmut, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama, Leonard Nnamdi Ekeh, Sam Omatseye, and Oba Otudeko. Others include Casers Group, Vintage Farms and Products, Dufil Prima Foods plc, Dozzy Oil and Gas, Krisoral Group, Kpakpando Foundation for People with Disabilities and Reynold Construction Company. Ngige added that just as the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is committed to the overall socioeconomic growth and development of the nation in order to improve the standards of living, “the government is therefore conscious of the critical place of productivity in the realization of the Next Level agenda.” He further directed all states governors to preside over the ceremonies (the National Productivity Day) as it is expected to be simultaneously observed at the all levels.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/dangote-elumelu-others-to-receive-productivity-order-of-merit-award-fg.html

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At least 188,000 people living positively with HIV/AIDs in Benue State are not yet placed on treatment. State Coordinator of AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) in Benue, Dr. Uduak Effiong, made this known on Tuesday in Makurdi while briefing newsmen on activities of the organisation and its programme to mark this year’s World AIDS Day.

Effiong said the figure extracted from the Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indication and Impact Survey (NHAIIS) represented the projected number of people living with the virus in Benue and yet to be on treatment. She said Benue’s HIV prevalence rate has dropped to 5.3 percent from the 14.1 percent it used to be, ranking the state second to Akwa-Ibom with prevalence rating of 5.5 percent highest in the country. The state’s AHF coordinator however noted that the worry which its organisation seeks to address in this year’s AIDS day remains the higher new infection among young people within the age of 20 and 24 who mostly do unsafe sex.

Also, the AHF-Nigeria Advocacy/Marketing Manager, Steve Aborisade, explained that the organisation in marking the day, would engage in training a minimum of 50 adolescents among other young people attending the event for them to go back to their respective regions and pass down the training to their peers. Aborishade who stressed the need to safe lives, added there were still much work to be done to minimise challenges associated with HIV as he called on the state government to keep the promise by dedicating more funding and implementing the law against stigmatisation/discrimination of people living with the scourge in the state.

He thanked the state’s ministry of health as well as the state agency for the control of AIDS for their tremendous support over the years to AHF and called on the general public to make themselves available to benefit free treatment in the organisation’s various health facility in the state.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/188000-hiv-positive-people-not-yet-on-treatment-in-benue.html

A Federal High Court in Abuja, has fixed February 25, 2020 for judgment in the trial of a former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, on money laundering charge. Metuh was arraigned in January, 2016 on the charge involving the N400m which he allegedly received fraudulently from the Office of the National Security Adviser in 2015.

Upon the adoption of final written addresses on Tuesday, the trial judge, Justice Okon Abang fixed the date for judgment. unt charge of money laundering including allegations that they both fraudulently took the N400m “when they reasonably ought to know” that the money was part of the proceeds of alleged criminal act of then NSA, Sambo Dasuki. Metuh was also accused of transacting with a cash of $2million without going through a financial institution in violation of a provision of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.

The defence team led by Abel Ozioko, who appeared for Metuh and Tochukwu Onwugbufor (SAN) for Destra Investments, urged the court to discharge and acquit their clients on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove the alleged offences. However, the EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, maintained that his team had proved all the offences charged beyond reasonable doubt, as he called on the judge to pass a guilty verdict on the defendants.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/alleged-n400m-fraud-metuh-to-know-fate-february-25.html

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A Moroccan court on Monday sentenced rapper Mohamed Mounir, known as Gnawi, to one year in jail for insulting police on social media, in what Amnesty condemned as “a disgraceful verdict”. A defence lawyer said he believed his 31-year-old client was prosecuted because of a song he co-wrote about the hardships of young people in Morocco, unemployment and corruption.

The song “Aach al Chaab” — which means long live the people — has been viewed more than 15 million times on YouTube since it was released last month. The lyrics denounce injustice and money-grabbing and attack Morocco’s king directly, which according to local media constitutes a clear breach of the kingdom’s “red lines”. However, the court in Sale near the capital Rabat sentenced Gnawi to one year in jail and fined him 1,000 dirhams ($103) for “insulting a public servant”, a reference to the police. Gnawi, who was arrested November 1, said he had insulted the police in a video which he posted on his Instagram account because he had been “humiliated” by them. “I am an artist. My job is to defend my rights and the rights of the people. It was not the first time that I had been humiliated by the police,” Gnawi told the court.

“Since I was born, I have been humiliated,” he said. Outside the courtroom, Gnawi’s relatives chanted “long live the people”. “This is a disgraceful verdict. There can be no justification for imprisoning the Moroccan rapper Gnawi for a year simply because he exercised his right to freedom of expression,” Amnesty International said. “International law protects the right to freedom of expression – even when the opinions shared are shocking or offensive,” said Amnesty’s Middle East director Heba Morayef.

“This verdict… indicates that those who dare to openly criticise the authorities will face punishment,” Morayef said in a statement. The case has also sparked outrage on social media, but Mustapha Ramid, Morocco’s minister of state in charge of human rights, told parliament that “Aach al Chaab” was “provocative” and “repugnant”, according to media reports. Young people make up a third of Morocco’s 35 million inhabitants. A quarter of those aged between 15 and 24 are unemployed and out of school, according to official figures. (AFP)

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/just-in-rapper-gets-one-year-jail-for-insulting-police-on-social-media.html

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has announced that beginning from December 1, 2019, a fee of N50 will be charged on all Point of Sale (PoS) transactions from N1,000 at petrol stations. IPMAN, which members own 19,000 out of the 25,000 registered filling stations said this in an advertorial published on Monday, saying it was based on a directive of “the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) dated 17th September, 2019, to all commercial banks that charges of taxes and duties be imposed on all electronic transactions.

“In view of the foregoing, the general public should please note that this additional charge shall be deducted at source by the commercial banks in compliance with the directive above. Therefore, IPMAN is in no way beneficiary to it,” IPMAN noted. However, President of IPMAN, Chinedu Okoronkwo told Daily Trust that he did not sign the notice and was unaware of it.

Loading.. Copy video url Play / Pause Mute / Unmute Report a problem Language Mox Player “It is not true. (The public notice has) no address and was not signed,” and added that the notice could be the work of fraudsters and did not emanate from IPMAN. Daily Trust reports that CBN in September, 2019 directed banks to charge N50 Stamp Duty on individual transactions that occur on PoS.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/pos-fuel-stations-to-charge-n50-on-product-sales-from-dec-1.html

The deputy governor-elect in Bayelsa State, Senator Biobarakuma Degi has said that the governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party, PDP , Senator Douye Diri lost the November 16 governorship election because his principal sponsor and incumbent governor of the state, Gov Seriake Dickson imported and engaged the services of Indian spiritualists ahead of the poll.

Degi spoke in Calabar where he said he prefers to be called ‘Ambo Boy’ having lived on Ambo Street in Calabar for many years after he left office as chairman of Nembe LGA in his state.

Degi alleged that a good number of the Indian marabouts, magicians and necromancers were kept at the Creek haven government house at government expense. According to him, the magicians were purportedly brought into Yenagoa, capital of Bayelsa State so that they can work to influence the electorates on the election day and fortify occupants of Governor’s offices.

https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-dickson-imported-indian-magicians-spiritualists-to-yenegoa-for-guber-poll-bayelsa-deputy-gov-elect.html

[i][/i]The Emir of Kano, and Chancellor, University of Benin, Muhammed Sanusi II, has urged the federal government to honour all agreements it entered into with the Association Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to end frequent distortion of university calendar. Sanusi spoke at the weekend during the 45th convocation/49th Founders Day ceremony of the University of Benin.

“The worrisome development of late is the tug of war between the government and academic staff union of universities on issues bothering on fiscal policy of the government. The media, were recently, awash with news of threat of strike by ASUU over their integration into the integration payroll information system (IPPIS). “My advice to the government is that there should be a political will to honour all agreements it entered into with university unions; be more open to dialogue and try to involve all stakeholders in the decision-making process,” he said.

According to him, once that is done, frequent disruptions of academic calendar of universities which has resulted in the decline in the quality of graduates, will become a thing of the past. While commending President Muhammad Buhari for the relative peace, uninterrupted academic calendar in the universities so far, he maintained that a lot still needs to be done ‘‘if we want our universities to achieve global visibility’’.

The Emir of Kano also commended the governing council of the university for the transparent manner through which it selected the new Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof Lilian Salami. While noting that the new Vice Chancellor was selected on merit, Sanusi charged her to follow the footsteps of Prof Grace Alele Williams, the first female Vice Chancellor of the institution.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/emir-sanusi-urges-fg-to-honour-agreements-with-ASUU.html

The Chairman Caretaker Committee of Gassol Local Government Area of Taraba State, Alhaji Yahuza Ya’u, said curfew has been imposed in Dananacha (Kwararafa ) town, following a disagreement between the Tiv and Jukun, that nearly turned bloody. He said the disagreement was over erection of a sign board bearing Kwararafa at a secondary school in the town.

Alhaji Yahuza said no life was lost but that many buildings were razed down and that the curfew was imposed to forestall escalation of the problem. Daily Trust gathered that the disagreement has been on since the town was renamed Kwararafa, a Jukun name, from Dananacha, which is a Tiv name.

It was further gathered that both the Tiv and Jukun are claiming ownership of the town and each time a sign board bearing Kwararafa is erected in the town, the Tiv would remove the sign board in protest. A source, Mr. James Terkula, told our correspondent that both Tiv and Jukun, brought out guns and shot sporadically but that nobody was killed. He however said about 30 houses were razed down.

James further stated that many residents of the area fled while a detachment of mobile police and army were drafted to the town. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP David Misal, did not pick calls put through to him to confirm the development. Meanwhile, Governor Darius Ishaku has appealed to residents of the area to sheath their swords and embrace peace.

Darius, in a statement through his Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Bala DanAbu, said he was not happy with the violence by people who have lived together for decades as good neighbours. The statement further said violence is not the right solution for disagreement among people and communities. He said he had directed security agents to restore peace in the town.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/curfew-imposed-in-taraba-town-over-fresh-crisis.html

Governor Bello Muhammad Matawalle of Zamfara state has fired back at his predecessor, Abdulaziz Yari, saying the former governor had recruited 8,000 Yan Sakai and purchased 1,000 guns for them, thereby compounding the security situations in the state. Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, the Director General, Press Affairs (Sokoto State Government), Alhaji Yusuf Idris, said the recent attacks like in the past are being caused by members of the outlawed local vigilante group known as Yan Sakai which the former governor recruited, funded and armed.

He said: “Don’t forget the crisis that was generated throughout the country in 2013 when Yari, then as governor purchased firearms for the outlawed Yan Sakai group, one will wonder where are these weapons?

“And it had been confirmed by the security agencies, that the renewed attacks are being orchestrated by those Yan Sakai. “It should be recalled that when former governor Yari was in charge and there was an attack in Yargaladima village of Maru local government where hundreds were massacred, he only visited the village briefly from where he moved straight out of the country.

“Similarly, then governor Yari had to be virtually forced by his colleagues to come to the state when over 100 innocent souls were killed in Birane village of Zurmi local government; he left the same day for Daura in Katsina state in company of his fellow governors, likewise in Kizara, the list is long. “But in all, the then governor did not have much time for his people at a time when his party is trying to portray him as the best,” Matawalle said.

Speaking on the former IGP M D Abubakar-led committee set up to find lasting solutions to the banditry activities in the state, Governor Matawalle said “the committee invited some former governors, deputies and other leaders to come and make inputs more especially that former governor Yari was the immediate past Chief Executive of the state whom the committee believed would help in its assignment.

“But for mere political anger, non-challance attitude and lack of concern, ex governor Yari refused to even acknowledge the invitation; he also went further to stop his former commissioner, Alhaji Bello Dankande Gamji and his former Special Adviser, Sani Ahmad Gwamna Mayanchi from appearing before the committee,” he said.

He said they recognized the fact that former governor Yari has the freedom of movement especially in Zamfara adding that Matawalle never said he should not come to the state. “But one thing for sure is, he must respect the law of the land particularly as it relates to political gathering which has been banned adding that if he violated the law he would face the consequences. “I challenged the so-called critics to give reference to the menace of kidnapping, rustling and all other forms of banditry. They are all history.

“Commuters, traders and other citizens carryout their legitimate businesses freely at any time of day or night since roads and markets that were hitherto closed are fully operational now,” he added.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/matawalle-fires-back-at-yari-says-ex-governor-recruited-purchased-arms-for-8000-yan-sakai.html

Residents of communities living around Yakowa Road in Kamazo Area of Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state on Sunday begged the state governor, Nasir El’rufai, to end demolition of houses in the area.

Daily Trust gathered that about 300 houses would be affected if the government continue with the ongoing demolition in communities like Karji, Babban Saura, Old Kamazo, Janruwa and Unguwar Mai Gero areas.

Daily Trust gathered that few days ago the State Government through Kaduna State Property Development Agency have already demolished some houses and an event centre in the communities.

Our reporter who visited the communities reported that the residents were seen consoling each other over the unfortunate incident as they picked up some of the debris left in the houses demolished. Residents agonised over demolition in Kaduna community.

Residents agonised over demolition in Kaduna community. One of the community leaders in Old Kamazo who spoke at a news briefing, Yusuf Zumo, said they (residents) were not issued notices by the authorities before they stormed the area and demolished their houses. He said the government officials accompanied by security agencies, police in particular went house to house asking people to vacate the houses at the middle of the night.

“We were all shocked when we saw them around 1:30 am on Thursday asking us to vacate our houses. We have never witnessed something like this in our lives. About 300 houses would be demolished and nobody came to tell us why we should leave our houses because no notice to that effect,” he said. Other residents interviewed also expressed their dismay over the government’s action, saying they have government approval before building their houses. They also claimed that they have no other places to relocate to as majority of them are pensioners that invested their life saving to build the houses which they legally bought.

Read more: https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/kaduna-residents-cry-out-over-el-rufais-plan-to-demolish-300-houses.html