A15-year-old boy has been allegedly killed by an operative of the South-West security network codenamed Amotekun in the Mokola area of the Ibadan North Local Government Area in Oyo State.
The ugly incident which took place on Wednesday has thrown members of the community into confusion.
The victim was said to be preparing to sit for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination on Friday.
It was also gathered that men of the Nigerian Police Force had tried to take the corpse away but they were stopped by the people.
A source said, “The 15 years old boy had been preparing for his exams on Friday and was shot at by an Amotekun man in the early hours of today (Wednesday) at Mokola, Ibadan North, Oyo State.
“The police tried to take the body away but the people refused with force. People are crying. A woman said she ate with him last night as he was preparing for the exams.
“It is not clear why the Amotekun guy shot him. Maybe it was an accidental discharge, we don't know."
A resident of the area who confirmed the incident said hoodlums had blocked some of the roads leading to the area.
He said, “We woke up this morning to see hoodlums taking over our area. It started from the Celestial Church at the Mokola roundabout. But as of 8am this morning, the police have chased them away.
“But we can see some of them regrouping to cause mayhem. We are calling on the government to come to our rescue before it leads to another crisis.”
South East APC Young Progressives Forum has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for signing the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) into law.
The group’s leader, Comrade Paschal Candle, in an interactive session with newsmen in Awka, Anambra State capital, yesterday, described the signing of the Bill into law as a “watershed in the history of petroleum industry in the country”.
He, however, expressed surprise over the statements credited to PDP and PANDEF over the PIB law, stating that “for 16 years they (PDP) were in power, they could not make any meaningful progress with the Bill while they controlled the two chambers of National Assembly.”
30-year-old Dawa's husband, Modu, has been unlawfully detained for several years without trial. He's kept with thousands of other people arbitrarily accused of being members of Boko Haram. But Modu was a driver, not a terrorist, Dawa insists. #KnifarMovement
Watch video
30-year-old Dawa's husband, Modu, has been unlawfully detained for several years without trial. He's kept with thousands of other people arbitrarily accused of being members of Boko Haram. But Modu was a driver, not a terrorist, Dawa insists. #KnifarMovementpic.twitter.com/BVdEVEeo1J
The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has reacted to the gruesome killing of 23 travellers in Plateau state on Saturday, August 14th.
The association condemned the attack and called on security agencies to swiftly bring the perpetrators to book. Below is a statement signed by the Chairman of the Association, Plateau state chapter, Rev Fr Polycarp Lubo;
“The leadership of the Church on the Plateau totally condemns these attacks and pleads with the Security agents to be professional in handling their responsibility to guarantee the security of lives and properties,”
“The Church equally condemns the attack on a convoy of commuters along Rukuba Road in Jos North Local Government Area which also led to the loss of lives. Every human life is precious and the unlawful killing of any human being regardless of their identity and affiliation is unacceptable.”
“The Christian Association of Nigeria Plateau State Chapter mourns with the families of those who lost their lives and loved ones as well as those who have been displaced or suffered harm of any kind.”
“We pray that these needless killings quickly comes to a swift end. As a Church on the Plateau, we are committed to working towards justice and peaceful co-coexistence. We call on all arms and tiers of government to ensure that the criminals responsible for these dastardly acts of violence are brought to justice."
VOICEofORIENTAL: What actually happened was that the fulanis were intercepted by the angry youths: according to the youths,it was the same pattern the fulanis used when they attacked the irigwe community, weeks ago.that the fulanis,were on convoy of 7-hummer bus before the irigwe attack.meanwhile,the mass burial of that deadly attack on irigwe,was billed for today.the youths,also claimed that,it was in the habit of the fulanis, to always attack them on burial days.there after,wahala started.only GOD knows exactly the casualties on both sides.
Never forget that Buhari visited a sick Tinubu in London, but when the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Attahiru, died in a plane crash while serving Nigeria, Buhari could not attend his funeral at Gudu cemetery, which is 15 minutes drive from Aso Rock.
Retired Justice Sani Suleiman, the traditional ruler of Mutum-Biyu, the administrative headquarters of Gassol local government council of Taraba State has joined the league of monarchs decrying the alarming rate of kidnapping and destruction of farms in his domain.
The monarch, while addressing leaders of the Fulani ethnic group on Saturday in his domain, clearly told them that the ongoing kidnapping and destruction of farms was being perpetrated by suspected herders in the council.
The failed kidnapped attempt on one of the village heads where one of the suspects was allegedly killed, he said, had revealed that herders were behind all the vices being committed in the area.
The suspected kidnapper that was killed when he and other suspects attacked a house of a large scale farmer at Jauro Manu village, according to him “was identified as a herdsman.”
Residents of the settlement which as made known by him was “not far away from the village they attacked” he said “had exposed those behind the kidnapping in the area.”
Warning the leaders of the Fulani that kidnapping and destruction of crops by herdsmen was unacceptable, compensations, as demanded by him “must be paid to owners of the farms.”
Wondering why the herders have continued to make life unbearable for the people of the areas, he described their actions as “an act of wickedness.”
The monarch who noticed that some of the herders have farms, said “majority of you have farms and some of you even harvest over 300 bags of Maize and nobody among the farming community goes near your farm”, sought to know why the herders are going about “destroying other people’s farms.”
Urging the leaders to as a matter of urgency go back to the drawing board by calling their subjects to order, he vowed to use the powers bestowed on him to dethrone any village and district head that again gave room to such vices in his domain.
He urged them to go back and “talk to your people especially your youths to immediately stop all these criminal act”.
Failure to do this, he said, “we will be forced to take the necessary actions that are within the provision of law to free ourselves from your acts of wickedness.’
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Hardo Musa, admitted that the vices being perpetrated by “some of our people have as well become a source of worries to most of the Fulani, especially the herders.”
Those perpetrating the ills, according to him, have gone as far as dragging the good image of the ethnic group into the mud.
The North is steadily falling into the clutches of religious extremists, aided by politicians who are solely concerned with winning the next election. This region would have been worse than Afghanistan if it hadn't been for that amalgamation. This is why I’m always for one Nigeria.
Aliyu Dahiru Aliyu is a researcher and journalist who formerly worked with Leadership Hausa (Leadership A Yau) as a back-page columnist, Daily Nigerian as an Op-ed columnist and as a contributor to BBC Hausa and CNN.
He currently works with HumAngle as a Special Projects Editor and Programs Manager.
Some travellers have been stabbed to death in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Daily Trust gathered that the victims were passing through Jos when they ran into the attackers.
Security sources told Daily Trust thatat least 15 corpses have been deposited at a morgue of Plateau Specialist Hospital.
Muhammad Ibrahim, one of the passengers, who escaped the attack, said they were in a group of five 18 seater buses, returning from Bauchi State where they attended an event to commemorate the Islamic New Year.
He said the event held at Sheikh Dahiru Usman Bauchi, mosque, in Bauchi State.
“We ran into the armed gang at Gada-Biyu area of Jos North Local Government Area,” he said.
The spokesperson of the State Police Command, ASP Ubah Gabriel, told Daily Trust that security operatives had been deployed in the area.
He, however, said he did not have details of the incident and promised to call back as soon as information is available.
When our correspondent visited the hospital, some of the victims were seen being treated while others were referred to Jos University Teaching Hospital.
The State commissioner of Police, Edward Ebuka, and the General Officer Commanding 3rd armoured Division, Secretary to the Government of Plateau State, Prof. Danladi Atu, were also at the hospital.
Government of Plateau State, Prof. Danladi Atu, were present at the hospital.
Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the victims were stabbed and not shot dead.
Twenty-Five persons were confirmed killed and 14 injured along Rukuba road in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state on Saturday morning.
The victims were attacked while travelling from Bauchi en-route Jos to Ikare in Ondo state.
Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong has reacted to the incident in a statement signed by spokesperson Simon Makut.
The Governor condemned the attack and warned troublemakers bent on fomenting trouble in the state to desist as the government will not allow any form of lawlessness to disrupt the peace of the state.
The Governor said that attacks on innocent citizens, no their matter their background, will never be tolerated in the State and those who are found to be behind such attacks will be dealt with decisively to serve as deterrent and restore public order.
The statement added that the Governor has also directed security agencies to swiftly identify and arrest perpetrators.
The spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, a military task force set up to maintain peace in Plateau State, Major Ishaku Takwa, said 12 persons have been arrested in connection with the incident, while normalcy has been restored in the area.
I have observed with dismay, the avalanche of emails and messages from Umuchineke unanimously prodding for a clarification /confirmation on the highlights of the press statement issued by the leadership of our Client yesterday, suspending their Sit-at-home Order.
I cannot stop being shocked by the manifested lack of trust / disbelief expressed over the authenticity of the message.
There is therefore, an urgent need that facts are put in their proper perpectives.
We at the legal team are increasingly becoming embarrassed with the unfortunate manner in which some people, ostensibly moles, notorious for mischief, are deliberately dragging us into the decision making arm of the movement, a position which we never represent.
Responsive listeners / followers should always be smart to decipher the language methodology messages are being conveyed by their leadership at every point in time. You people call it C. and C.
Introducing insinuations, fundamentally unconnected with the intended motive only means you still have a long way to go.
In times like this, people should do away with propaganda, gossip, mischief, campaign of calumny and pay attention to messsges from recognized source(s).
For your information, if you are expecting me to write it, or answer your questions in black and white, perhaps in a manner that even my aged mother in the village will nod her head in appreciation of the content, then you are very far from getting it here.
An Igbo proverb says “atuolu omalu, omalu mana atuolu ofeke ofeyi isi na ofia”.
I believe these few words should aid you further in understanding the direction we are driving at.
What Our Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and we in the legal team, essentially need in this moment of legal fireworks is your prayers and supplications, and not insults /disparaging remarks.
We are under compelling obligation to be upright at all times, regularly update you people on things you need to hear from us regarding the happenings around Our Client.
We have unblemishly managed IPOB briefs for over a decade, despite every intimidating odds / life threatening situation, without recording any form of compromise. How do you now think we can deviate at this critical moment? Please be properly guided.
Sooner than may be expected, the God’s annointed, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will regain his freedom. God is working it out.
However, all hands must be on deck to see us realize this uncommon feat, within the shortest time possible. Ise.
Ka Chukwuokike Abiama mezie okwu nkea, ma goziekwa unu dum.
Ndewo Umuchineke.
Signed: Bar. Ifeanyi Ejiofor, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Lead Counsel
No fewer than 11 hostages escaped from bandits’ camps on the outskirts of Sabon Birni town, Igabi L0cal Government Area of Kaduna State.
Samuel Aruwan, Commissioner, Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, said on Thursday that ongoing security operations in the state dislodged many of the bandits’ camps, which enabled hostages to escape.
According to him, careful checks revealed that the 11 hostages are a mix of those kidnapped from Dumbin Rauga, Zaria council and also along the Kaduna-Zaria Highway.
The hostages that escaped were identified as
*From Dumbin Rauga (all children between ages seven and 10):
– Fatima Sani
– Aisha Falalu
– Amina Aliyu
– Hadizatu Sani
– Bashar Falalu
*From the Kaduna-Zaria Road (abducted while travelling from Maiduguri to Ilorin):
– Fatima Umar
– Zara Umar (and her infant)
– Hadiza Madu Sharif
– Hauwa Ali
– Zara Madu Sharif
– Maryam Madu
It was reported that the families of those kidnapped at Dumbin Rauga had collectively paid a ransom of N3,000,000.
But the bandits reneged on the agreement to release the captives, insisting that two motorcycles must be included in the ransom deal.
The escapees were recovered by the troops and have since been reunited with their families.
In another development, troops of Operation Safe Haven reported the rescue of two kidnapped victims, Barira Sulaiman Inusa and Isah Musa, around Kirti village of Jema’a council. They have also been reunited with their families.
Furthermore, the troops rescued one Mrs Chioma Amanda Silver, in Ungwan Sarki Goza village, Mariri, Lere council.
She had been abducted by bandits, who abandoned her on sighting the troops.
Receiving the reports, Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed his satisfaction with the developments, praising the military’s efforts and the degrading effect of the onslaught on bandit hideouts across the state.
He also commended the swift response of the troops to rescue the kidnapped citizens in Jema’a and Lere.
The governor sent his prayers and best wishes to all the former hostages as they rejoined their families.
Prophet Odumeje, real name Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, says Biafra agitator, Nnamdi Kanu, will be free by December 2021.
The cleric gave the prophecy during a recorded prayer session.
In attendance were Kanu’s lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and others.
Odumeje said: “Lord, your son Nnamdi Kanu is coming out this December, in the name of Jesus.
“There is nothing you said that will never come to pass. Lord, we have started this battle with your name, and we shall overcome with your name.
“Your son (Ejiofor) in the front of the battle, be with him always. Give them strength, give them wisdom. This is a battle of wisdom and the wisdom comes from you.
“In the presence of the judge, everything that comes out of his (Ejiofor’s) mouth shall be wisdom. Victory shall be given to us.”
Odumeje is General Overseer of The Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry in Anambra.
Kanu, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, faces treason charges for actions against the state.
The secessionist was intercepted outside Nigeria and repatriated on June 27 after years on the run.
Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja will resume in October. He is being detained at a Department of State Services (DSS) facility.
Justice Binta Nyako had turned down his legal team’s application for transfer to Kuje Prison.
Security services believe Kanu’s supporters would launch an attack on the correctional centre to free him.
abouzaid: This satanically have launched multiple monikers such as jewelofhell and together with Oyigboupdate has been launching false threads about IPOB yet the moderators haven't banned him despite multiple complaints especially againt Oyigboupdate. Such behaviour is not right for the sustenability of this forum.
Source
#wenobemate challenge 12.8.2021. The Fulani have deceived most of you that 6packs are for poor people and you believe it because you are too lazy to workout. I challenge you today that me and you no be mate. pic.twitter.com/A6osdG5hKi
Reason election may not hold in Anambra and subsequently in entire Biafraland is because it is one of the many effective way to tell the corrupt politicians who looted Biafraland and use the money for election that their game is over. They need to feel the pain. U loose nothing
#wenobemate challenge 12.8.2021. The Fulani have deceived most of you that 6packs are for poor people and you believe it because you are too lazy to workout. I challenge you today that me and you no be mate.
#wenobemate challenge 12.8.2021. The Fulani have deceived most of you that 6packs are for poor people and you believe it because you are too lazy to workout. I challenge you today that me and you no be mate. pic.twitter.com/A6osdG5hKi
..$600+ million was stolen from Poly Network token-swapping platform
The hackers, in an encrypted message embedded in a transaction on the Ethereum blockchain, had promised to return the stolen funds. True to their word, they've returned $260 million. The remaining loot, hopefully, will be returned as the hacker has requested for a multisignature wallet.
Why they returned the loot? Well, the hackers said they are contented with the fame the heist earned them, as the hack has been described as the largest ever in decentralized finance (DeFi) network.
Read the encrypted messages the hackers sent via the links below:
Spokesman Of Nothern Groups Coalition, Who Said @FBI Breached Right Of Disgraced DCP Abba Kyari, Caught On Tape Saying Kyari Should Be Handed Over To FBI For Prosecution ‘Off Camera’
The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on Tuesday said self-acclaimed President of Ambazonia, Sako Ekome is inconsequential, selfish and a traitor and as such cannot be consulted in the Biafran freedom fight in the south east zone.
The group made this known through a statement signed by the IPOB Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, and forwarded to DAILY POST on Tuesday.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to the statement and claims by one Sako Ekome, a self-acclaimed President of Ambazonia, that he was not consulted before the Memorandum of Understanding between Biafra and Ambazonia was signed.
“We therefore wish to inform him that Biafra does not recognize traitors and selfish fellows like him. He is too inconsequential and unreliable to be consulted or involved in any deal between Biafra and Ambazonia.
“We don’t recognize him because he is not working for the people of Ambazonia. He has never had their mandate. We know his sponsors and whose interests he protects.
“The only true Ambazonian Leader recognised by Biafra and our leader is Dr Cho Ayaba. Dr Cho Ayaba and Co have been busy fighting for the liberation of their people and fighting the terrorist leaders in French Cameroon led by Paul Biya.
“But instead of supporting the sacrificial, patriotic and genuine efforts of Dr. Cho Ayaba to liberate Ambazonians from the Camarounian bondage, Sako Ekome has been hobnobbing with the Biya-led government of Cameroon to undermine and betray his people.”
Islamic human rights organisation, Muslim Rights Concern, has called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to ban television reality show, Big Brother Naija, just as the government banned microblogging site Twitter.
MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, in a chat with The PUNCH on Saturday, described the programme as an “abomination”, an “exhibition of nudity” and “an invitation to chaos and insecurity” because it allegedly seeks to mislead youths.
BBNaija, which made a return for a sixth season last month, has already topped previous seasons as MultiChoice Nigeria announced a grand prize of N90m.
This year’s season is tagged, ‘Shine Ya Eye’ with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu as the host for the show. The show requires housemates to be camped in a building for weeks. They are assigned tasks and some bonding occurs in between.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Akintola lamented that Nigerian youths have missed it with the advent of BBNaija.
He said, “We (MURIC) issued statements on it in the past two years. BBNaija is an abomination. The problem we have in this country is that people don’t learn lessons from past mistakes. We tend to idolize idleness and immorality. We pick thugs as heroes and ritualists as our models.
“Our youths today have missed the road; what they are interested in is not what can make the country great. What do we get to gain from open vulgarity, open nudity, the spread of shamelessness?
“BBNaija is an exhibition of licentiousness. It is a pity. There used to be a time in this country when the military and the police would compel badly dressed, indecently dressed women and even men to go back home and dressed properly.
“But now, we are encouraging it so badly that we allow it to be displayed openly on television. The parents are not at home, the children are watching BBNaija, it is an invitation to chaos.”
‘Pastors, Imams should speak against TV programme’
Akintola also urged Pastors and Imams to speak to their followers, adding that the Qur’an and the Bible are against what is being demonstrated openly in the Big Brother Naija house.
“Now, we are crying over insecurity, immorality, indecency that we are the ones who invited it. We all should come together – Muslim clerics, Christian clergy, we should come together and demonstrate openly against BBNaija. Neither the Qur’an nor the Bible encourages it. We should not keep silent,” he stated.
‘NBC should wake up’
The MURIC director further urged the National Broadcasting Commission to wake up to its regulatory function and ban the show.
He said, “The government should ban BBNaija, the people are the government and there are no people without the youths. BBNaija is misleading the youths, BBNaija will encourage robbery, it will encourage insecurity, BBNaija is awarding millions of naira to young guys, awarding free cars and making young ones to salivate back home, wishing they had something like that sudden wealth.
“The Federal Government should wake up because no state government can ban it. If the Federal Government ban BBNaija, it will be like Twitter, which will be good riddance to bad rubbish. Twitter was banned for promoting insecurity and BBNaija should be banned for promoting immorality, indecency and corruption. We are fighting corruption; it will be part of our fight against corruption to ban BBNaija; it is national disgrace.
“The NBC should wake up and listen to the cries of parents. NBC should act responsibly; it appears to be sleeping. NBC should wake up.”
Simon Ekpa, a self-acknowledged disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says Monday, 9th August 2021, will be an unforgettable day as it will be the “day when Biafra is restored”.
Ekpa stated this via his known Twitter handle on Saturday.
“Monday the 9th of August 2021 sit at home in Biafraland will definitely be the beginning of what will go down in the history of freedom agitation, we will not forget from 9th of August as one of the historic day when Biafra is restored or Nigeria disintegrated. -SE,” Ekpa wrote.
Outlawed IPOB had declared every Monday, effective August 9,2021, a sit-at-home day to press for the release of its detained leader, Kanu.
Kanu, who was rearrested in June in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria, is facing a treasonable felony offence over his calls for the secession of Eastern Nigerian region. His IPOB movement, seen as the most prominent pro-Biafra group, is leading a campaign started by late Odumegwu Ojukwu in the 60s.
During a resumed hearing of his case at the Federal High Court in Abuja recently, Kanu’s matter was adjourned till October 21 following the failure of the Department of State Services (DSS) to produce him in court.
POLITICS NIGERIA observed that many IPOB proponents are already discussing the ‘Ghost Monday’, adamant that they will go ahead with their planned sit-at-home in the East, amid advice by the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo not to.
African richest pastor revealed that in the face of hard economy like Nigeria, he chose white cloths to cut cost of fashion.
The General Overseer and President of Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo has finally revealed why he is permanently on white suits particularly during public appearance.
His decision to always be on white had triggered questions amongst his followers as many attributed it to a spiritual direction.
However, speaking during a sermon on Friday, the African richest pastor revealed that in the face of hard economy like Nigeria, he chose white cloths to cut cost of fashion.
According to him, white cloths are cheaper than others, stating that it is easier to maintain as it does not fade to other colour.
He said, “Do you know why I wear white? It is the cheapest thing to wear. White suits are the cheapest or you don’t know, try it.
“Praise God. I used to crack joke with a friend and said, you see my dress, the whole thing; how much does it cost because I have the permanent white up and down that I wear.
“If I don’t change, you can’t know because if it fades, it fades to white. White can’t fade to black, it can only fade to white”.
Balogun was invited through a letter dated 3rd August 2021 with reference No. CR:3000/×/FHQ/SEB/ABJ//T3/VOL.3 signed by ACP Y.Y Abubakar, Special Enquiry Bureau, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.
Israel Balogun, a YouTube user who exposed a money miracle 'session' performed by Apostle Johnson Suleman, founder of Omega Fire Ministries, has received an invitation from the police’s Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Abuja.
Balogun was invited through a letter dated 3rd August 2021 with reference No. CR:3000/×/FHQ/SEB/ABJ//T3/VOL.3 signed by ACP Y.Y Abubakar, Special Enquiry Bureau, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department.
The letter reads, “This office is investigating a case of Criminal Defamation and Cyberstalking in which your name features prominently. In the light of the above and in the spirit of fair hearing, you are requested to interview the undersigned in room 408, 3rd floor, Force CIID Complex Area 10, Garki, Abuja on 11th August 2021, 1000hrs unfailingly."
The invitation was also confirmed by Balogun's counsel, Inibehe Effiong, in a letter made available to SaharaReporters on Friday.
Effiong stated that the police invitation to Balogun stated that his client should report to the Force headquarters on Friday, August 13, over an alleged case of “Criminal Defamation and Cyberstalking.”
He noted that his client had been threatened by lawyers to Suleman over his analysis of a money-miracle scandal.
The lawyers gave him a seven-day deadline to retract the publications alongside an apology for the perceived offence.
Inibehe, however, said barely 24 hours after his client got the letter, he got an invitation from the police.
A statement from Inibehe read, “Our client, Mr. Israel Goodnews Balogun, has received an invitation from the Special Enquiry Bureau, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja signed by ACP Y. Y. Abubakar, to report for interview on 13th August 2021 over an alleged case of "Criminal Defamation and Cyberstalking."
“The invitation follows a threat issued to our client by lawyers to Apostle Johnson Suleman, the Founder of Omega Fire Ministries, over the views expressed by our client in which he disavowed the baseless, false, unsubstantiated and ridiculous miracle money claims repeatedly made by Apostle Suleman during his ministrations in Atlanta, United States of America and in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria.
”Apostle Suleman during the said ministrations claimed that he commanded Angels to send money mysteriously to worshippers. In a comical display, some worshippers came out with their phones to meet him in the pulpit to 'testify' that they had received credit alerts from the unseen "Angels" as commanded by Suleman.
“As a true believer of the undiluted gospel of Jesus Christ, our client found the miracle money claims to be contrary to Biblical doctrines and the tenets of Christianity and came out to disavow the claims of Apostle Suleman by debunking same.
“Enraged by the views of our client, Mr Suleman briefed his lawyers to write to our client to demand that our client should apologize within seven (7) days. Although the letter from his solicitors is dated 27th July 2021, it was sent to our client via WhatsApp on 3rd August 2021.
“We have responded to the demand letter from Suleman. If he decides to go ahead to institute a civil action against our client for "defamation of character", we will be happy to meet him and his miracle money Angels in court.
“However, it is important to alert the public, civil society, media and the international community that barely 24 hours after the solicitors to Mr Suleman had written to our client, an invitation letter was received by our client from the Nigeria Police Force.
“We have advised our client as law-abiding citizens to honour the police invitation; while hoping that the police will act professionally and respect the constitutional rights of our client.
“We call on the Inspector-General of Police to save the country from the ensuing embarrassment and the damage the actions of the police, in this case, may do to the image of the country before the international community.
“Nigeria is currently facing severe financial and economic challenges, Apostle Suleman should help the country out of her predicament by commanding his "Angels" to assist the country with his so-called miracle money.
“The Angels should credit the Federation Account with enough funds to help the country meet its urgent financial obligations.
“We hope responsible and God-fearing Christian leaders in Nigeria will have the courage to speak out against the desecration of their faith.
“The eyes of the nation and the world are on the Nigeria Police Force.”
SaharaReporters had reported that the M.S Amune & Co (Omega Chambers), solicitors to Apostle Suleman, threatened to sue Balogun for posting the video.
Balogun, in one of his videos on Wholeness African Initiative, condemned a miracle service organised by Suleman where the cleric was heard telling members that he would command angels to drop money into the bank accounts of those who believe.
The programmes were held in Edo, Nigeria and Atlanta, the USA in June and July, 2021 respectively.
In reaction, Suleman's solicitors sent a letter dated 27th July to Balogun demanding a retraction of the posts (video and write-ups) alongside a written apology to the minister.
They stated that Balogun's action was a case of defamation of character against Apostle Suleman whose church, Omega Fire Ministries has members in 52 countries of the world.
In the letter, Balogun's statements were described as “hate speech, cybercrime terrorism, unsubstantiated and threat to his (Suleman's) social and religious image.”
They stated explicitly that failure to do as requested will attract a full lawsuit against Balogun.
The video of the controversial programme shows Suleman saying, "The Holy Ghost just whispered to me, I'm going to pray and make declarations, after that you will check your account.”
Another voice said, "Papa (a term used by church members for Suleman), there is a miracle alert here, she just got her alert of $1,000."
Suleman said again, "Miracle alert, as you get it, run here. Angels begin to put money in your account."
In his analysis that has now brought about threats, Balogun had said, [b)"Apostle Suleman is destroying the gospel of God, why would a man begin by telling people there will be miracle money in their accounts, you are using the name of Christ to do Miracle or Magic? [/b]
“This is not the gospel, this man stood in the midst of the people, in the church in Atlanta and in his church in Nigeria asking people to bring out their phones and there would be miracle money in their account. You must not fold your arms and allow such a thing to continue, Nigerian Christian leaders must dissociate themselves from something like this, they must tell the world that they are never part of the gospel that this man is preaching.
“This is not Christ, this is not Christianity, this is voodoo, this is magic, this is not from God and it can never be from God. God does not deposit money in people's accounts, angels do not share money. It is either this guy has some people behind the scenes who have pre-collected people's bank details, who do not even know they wanted to use it for anything."
Amnesty International has alleged that no fewer than 115 persons have been killed in the South-East by security operatives between March and June.
Amnesty International, in its recent report, said relatives of the victims denied the deceased were part of the ‘unknown gunmen’ that were attacking security agents.
In the report entitled, ‘Nigeria: At least 115 people killed by security forces in four months in country’s Southeast,’ the organisation further claimed that many of the victims were deposited at government hospitals in Imo and Abia states.
Furthermore, the human rights watch organisation quoted some hospital sources as saying that all the victims deposited by the police had bullet injuries, adding that at least 21 security personnel were also murdered within three months in Imo.
According to AI’s report, more than 500 were arrested after police and military raids.
Amnesty International, through its Country Director, Osai Ojigho said there are evidence which painted a damning picture of ruthless excessive force by security operatives in Imo, Anambra and Abia states.
“The evidence gathered by Amnesty International paints a damning picture of ruthless excessive force by Nigerian security forces in Imo, Anambra and Abia states,” it noted.
The report added that security agencies in Nigeria have committed a catalogue of human rights violations and crimes under international law ranging from mass arrests, torture, excessive unlawful force among others, in the South East.
The report noted, “Nigeria’s government has responded with a heavy hand to killings and violence widely attributed to the armed group calling itself Eastern Security Network, the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a pro-Biafra movement.
“According to government officials, the ESN killed dozens of security operatives and attacked at least ten public buildings, including prisons and police stations, from January to June. In response, security forces comprising military, police, and Department of State Services have killed dozens of gunmen, as well as civilians, where attacks have been committed.”
Eyewitnesses told AI that the security forces engaged in excessive use of force, physical abuse, secret detentions, extortion, burning of houses, theft, and extrajudicial executions of suspects.
The human rights groups estimated that the death toll from violence between January and June 2021 in Anambra, Imo, Abia, and Ebonyi states might run into the hundreds, adding that the police said ESN fighters killed 21 of its personnel in Imo State alone.
The Eastern Security Network, ESN, the security wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, was accused by the Nigerian government and its security agencies of carrying out series of attacks most notably on Imo Police headquarters and Imo Correctional Centre, where many prisoners were set free.
A group, Nėo Blåck Movement of Africa Worldwide (NBM), has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to save the people of Southern Kaduna of the alleged genocidal ethnic cleansing by bandits in the area.
The group expressed concern that the federal government had ignored the destruction going on in Southern Kaduna by bandits.
Recall that the SOKAPU over the years has cried out over alleged onslaught on their communities by suspected Fulani herdsmen, which it accused the Federal Government of ignoring.
The group in a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, Mr Oluwatosin Dixon, appealed to the federal government to urgently address the disturbing trend.
The group noted with concern that if the attacks continued, the pursuit of development in the area will be a mirage.
The of Africa Worldwide condemnd in strong terms what it described as perceived ethnic cleansing by suspected Fulani herdsmen and onslaughts on Christian sects by extremists.
According to the group, “We are appalled by news of Christians facing ethnic cleansing in Southern Kaduna and Christian students routinely kidnapped by suspected Fulani terrorists with predominantly Christian schools inevitably shut down.”
The statement noted that it becomes ever more alarming when citizens contemplate a resort to self help in the face of perceived dereliction of functions by the Nigerian government.
The group noted that herdsmen killed 100 people in six days, burnt churches, destroyed houses in Southern Kaduna, added to the numerous other horrific reports, including that of suspected armed Fulani herdsmen killing no fewer than 100 Atyap natives in the last six days.
The NBM appealed to the Federal government to provide adequate secirity and protection for the besieged Southern Kaduna communities.
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