₦airaland Forum

I am highly disturbed by the increasing horrific killings in southeastern Nigeria, especially the recent beheading of a State legislator and the callous murder of a pregnant woman and her four children in Anambra State.

These violent and abhorrent killings are damnable and unacceptable! Our communities are crumbling before us, and our humanity is being diminished.

I send my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and urge all stakeholders, including affected communities, security agencies, traditional rulers and government at all levels, to work collectively to restore the peace that once reigned.

Families of the deceased deserve justice, and that can only be served when the perpetrators of these wicked acts are arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law. I indeed count on our security agencies to deliver on this and other aspects of the rule of law.

Nothing can be achieved with festering insecurity. Diametric security remains the bedrock of peaceful nations and thriving democracies. As we advance, proactive security will be crucial in regaining control of our communities.

Government, for its part, must meet its responsibility to protect its citizens. -PO

This evening I received information that a post was made that doesn't agree with my orders. I use this to announce that any post without AA is not from me. May God protect - AA

pharmagba:
Find out their names and post it

Let tag them as murders for the rest of their lives

They confirm the act pic.twitter.com/gft7kjEAIg

— GanzyMalgwi (@GanzyMalgwi) May 12, 2022

Reason why she was killed. She challenged the people posting religious information in a school group chat.

Reason why she was killed. She challenged the people posting religious information in a school group chat. pic.twitter.com/BPoTEqGd1x

— GanzyMalgwi (@GanzyMalgwi) May 12, 2022

They confirm the act pic.twitter.com/gft7kjEAIg

— GanzyMalgwi (@GanzyMalgwi) May 12, 2022

Sokoto College Closes School Indefinitely Over Killing Of Female Student For Allegedly Insulting Prophet Muhammad

The management of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto has directed the immediate closure of the school due to the killing of a female student.

This was announced in a circular dated 12th May, 2022, by the management of the school.

The statement reads: "Following today's early morning Students rampage in the College, the College Management has resolved to close down the College indefinitely with immediate effect. Consequently, all students are hereby directed to vacate the College campus immediately (12th may, 2022)."

SaharaReporters had reported how the female student was burnt to death by her colleagues for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
She was burnt to death by Muslim students who dragged her out of her hostel earlier on Thursday.

Similarly in March 2021, some angry youths backed by leaders in Sade community in the Darazo Local Government Area of Bauchi State burnt a man identified as Talle Mai Ruwa, to death for allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad.

SaharaReporters learnt that Mai Ruwa was dragged away from his house on Tuesday in the presence of his mother and burnt to death in the middle of the community.

Eyewitnesses shared gory pictures of the incident with SaharaReporters which showed the middle-aged man burnt along with tyres.

Osumenyi is becoming a ghost town courtesy of IPOB terrorism. A town with the highest number of millionaires in Nnewi south. This trajectory is scary...

After watching that video of ESN and IPOB soldiers beheading the female soldier, may peace be far from all supporters of the above mentioned terrorist groups.
@MBuhari should kindly reintroduce the python Dance in AlaIgbo. Terrorism on the rise ooo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has said that having served for seven years as VP, among other stints in public service, he has acquired sufficient knowledge, information and experience to be able to hit the ground running from day one if, by the grace of God, he is elected to be president of this country.

He made this assertion yesterday during his meeting with APC delegates and traditional leaders in Cross River and Bayelsa States capital respectively, as he continued his consultations with stakeholders and delegates of the ruling All Progressives Congress across the country.

The Vice President who was received by Governor Ben Ayade was also accompanied by stalwarts of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-South geo-political zone and beyond, including Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, former Minister Edem Duke, former NDDC Managing Director, Obong Nsima Ekere among others.

As is now common with all of the VP’s visits across the states, Nigerians from all walks of life on Thursday trooped out to welcome him as his convoy drove past the streets of Calabar and Yenagoa, the capital cities of Cross River and Bayelsa States.

The VP also paid courtesy calls on the traditional rulers in both states, where he was warmly received by the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the Cross River State Traditional Council and the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council.

In his remarks to the monarchs, the VP noted that his experience for the past 7 years has prepared him for the task ahead in 2023 and beyond, noting that he would not waste any time in continuing with the task of nation-building.

Speaking to members of the Cross River State Traditional Council, Prof. Osinbajo restated his reason to run for president, noting that Nigeria will surely overcome its economic and security challenges.

“The truth of the matter is that every country is faced with peculiar challenges – in our case, we are faced with security and economic challenges. But we also know that God Himself equips us with all the necessary resources to defeat every challenge. I believe very strongly that God helping us, our economic and security challenges will not only be dealt with but will be stepping stones for a greater nation and a more prosperous and secured nation.”

Speaking at the Palace of the Obong of Calabar, the VP restated the invaluable experience he has in government, as Vice President and at some point, Acting President.

“Your Royal Majesty and Paramount Ruler present, in my capacity as VP, I had the great fortune of working with President Buhari, who in every real sense exposed me to all one should know about governance at the highest level in our country. Our country is complex, diverse, and rich in resources, and with the diversity and various complexities, it obviously requires some experience. I have had the good fortune of serving for 7 years, observing first-hand the intricacies of our nation. On occasions also, I have served as Acting President of our country.

“I think that with all the experience I have been able to gather within that period, it is clear that God’s intention was that all that experience would become useful one day and I believe that that time has come when our country calls for a successor to President Buhari who by May 2023 by the grace of God, would have served for 8 years.”

While welcoming the Vice President to the State, the Obong of Calabar said the country needs more credible leaders and men of integrity. He added that he was happy that the VP was “standing up to take up the mantle of leadership in this country.”

Pledging support for the VP’s presidential bid, the Monarch said, “You have the experience, you are exposed, …your remarkable administrative display to the people. We appreciate you; we appreciate all you are doing.

“We don’t need to say most of these things now, but when the time comes, all we are praying is that you pick up the ticket, get the mandate. And at the time you step out to the field, most of us will show our support.”

Also speaking, Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, who had earlier received the VP at the Government House in Calabar, described the VP as his most respected senior professor, noting that “I have no doubt that he has the capacity to drive Nigeria’s hopes and dreams.”

“I have no worries about the Vice President’s ambition. I would like the people of Cross River State to carefully and attentively listen to him. He is a man of great intellect and value and he came in to respectfully honour our Obong.

“He (the VP) is someone that I share same ideas, hopes and aspirations with.”

Similarly, the Chair of the Cross River State Traditional Council, Dr Edet Okon Etim, likened the VP to “Mount Zion that cannot be moved.”

“God doesn’t destroy what he has ordained, therefore, you are an ordained man of God who is now into politics. All the weapons formed against you will not prosper because you are in the hands of the Almighty at all times,” Dr Etim prayed.

The Vice President then proceeded to Bayelsa State where he was received on arrival at the airport by the State Governor, Douye Diri, and senior state government officials.

After a befitting reception at the airport, the VP proceeded to meet with the Council of Traditional Rulers, stating his mission to the area.

According to Prof. Osinbajo, “as Vice President, I’ve served under a President who has given me every opportunity to understand and see for myself and observe at very close quarters, all of what is required to run this very complex, very diverse nation called Nigeria.

“I’ve also served on different occasions as acting President when the President was away and that has also given me more than an insider’s view of how to effectively rule this country with its various challenges.”

The Chairman of the council, HRH Bubaraye Dakolo, had assured the Vice President of the prayers of the council, acknowledging the VP as one of the chiefs in the State.

In the same vein, the Vice President sought the support and partnership of APC stakeholders in Bayelsa in continuing with the transformational work of the party at the national level. He returned to Abuja last night.

He has since resumed consultation with APC stakeholders visiting Anambra and Enugu States today.

Laolu Akande
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity
Office of the Vice President
6th May, 2022

Suddenly, UK labeled IPOB a terrorist organization simply because they want Nigeria’s support against Russia, there by setting us up against each another, locally, as the election year approaches. Hypocritical.

We won’t fall for it.

We’ll fix our internal issues our way.

Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), has asked Nigerians to accept the winner of the presidential election in 2023 as Allah’s choice.

Mr Abubakar, who said this in his Eid-el-Fitr Sallah message to Nigerians in Sokoto, urged Politicians to allow peace to reign in the country.

“We are fully aware that the general elections in Nigeria are fast approaching,” said the sultan. “Therefore, we urge Nigerians to live peacefully with one another and ensure the belief that whoever emerged after the election period is not only our choice but the choice of the almighty Allah.”

He said politicians in the country should play the game of politics with faith, love one another and ensure none of their supporters was involved in breaching peace and unity.

“Our scholars have preached a lot during the period of Ramadan, as such, we should continue to hold on to what was learnt during the period,” added Mr Abubakar. “This is a great opportunity for all of us to ensure the best living conditions and to live peacefully with one another.”

Mr Abubakar further commended the Sokoto government and other wealthy individuals for supporting the needy throughout Ramadan.

Unpopular Opinion:
Premium times has the worst set of Journalists in this country. Deluded and empty brained humanoids masquerading as Journalists.

Seems it’s a requirement that one must belong to BMC before they are considered for employment in the tissue paper company

Gunmen on Saturday shot dead and then beheaded a couple who were operatives of the Nigerian army.


Military sources told SaharaReporters that A.M Linus, a sergeant first class in the army and his lance corporal wife were on their way to Imo State when the incident happened.

After beheading the couple, the gunmen were said to have called their family members to mock them.


A gory video of the incident seen by SaharaReporters showed the gunmen putting the heads on the victims' chests after the incident.


“It’s so sad that we soldiers are no safer, the man was a member of the 19 regular intakes while the wife was of the 79RI.


“They were on their way to Imo state on Saturday when the incident happened. You won’t believe these gunmen as we speak still used their phones to make calls to their family members, making jest of them and threatening to kill them as well.


“This couple just married recently, even their photoshoot caused a lot of criticism and seems they were punished for it.


“Though the man is married to another woman with grown-up kids, he suddenly eloped with this young soldier, I was told the girl also had kids before joining the army as well.


“The man still has a father, his brother is also a soldier working at a battalion in Kaduna. The lady was also raped before they were beheaded,” a soldier told SaharaReporters.


Attacks by armed men have increased in the South-East in recent times. The attacks often target security agencies and government facilities.


The latest development comes a few hours after gunmen invaded a military checkpoint in Agulu, Anaocha LGA of Anambra state on Saturday and opened fire on soldiers, killing one in the process.


The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), an outlawed group, has been linked to the deadly attacks in the region. But the group has repeatedly denied its involvement in the attacks.


The leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, is currently detained in Abuja where he is facing trial for treason

Those displaying or pasting Nigerian Political Campaign posters in Mecca are not there for religious purposes;The Hajj Commission should take note of the culprits and ban them for Ten years.

Enemies of Nigeria's progress are editing @PeterObi Wikipedia page with the speed of light to spoil his image. We won't fall for their evil tactic.
#PeterObi
#PeterObi4President
#NigeriaDecides2023

One person has been killed and over 20 houses have been burnt in a clash between a Fulani community and a Hausa community in Bauchi State.


The crisis between Gudum Hausawa and Gudum Fulani communities escalated on Wednesday after the burial of two people who were killed last weekend during an attack by hoodlums on a wedding send-forth, Channels TV reports.

Worried about the situation, the state governor, Bala Mohammed, imposed a 24-hour curfew to prevent the crisis from getting out of control.


Accompanied by the state police commissioner, Umar Sanda, the governor visited the communities and gave an insight into the efforts of the state authorities since the clashes began.


“I have come here to commiserate with my brothers and sisters over the ugly incident that happened within the last one week,” said Mohammed said. “Last three days, two peace-loving and unsuspecting Christian youths were killed by suspected hoodlums who don’t want us to live in peace.

“After that incident, all the suspects were arrested, the commissioner has attested to this and we are in the process of prosecuting them. Of course, during this burial, we had a reprisal. Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

The governor promised that justice would be served and those who lost properties to the incident would be compensated.

“Those who came and unleashed this havoc, burning houses and one man died, were not members of this community; they came from somewhere,” he stated. “We are looking around and we will make sure we give you cover.

“I have directed the commissioner of police to make sure that there is a police station on the fringes and inside the community. The community is a diverse community, a community of Muslims and Christians, and a community of the Fulani, Sayawa, Hausa, Jarawa, and other tribes.

“This is the reflection of the heterogeneity of Bauchi. This is a reflection of the diversity of Nigeria. We have to live in peace. Bauchi has made a name that we are peaceful. I will make sure I give you the required leadership. It is my duty to make sure I come here to ensure peace in this place.”

Gudum Hausawa, Gudum Sayawa, and Gudum Fulani are ethnoreligious communities that share boundaries but have a history of clashes for many years.

The United States voiced concerns Tuesday over a “complete lack of transparency” surrounding a new security deal between the Solomon Islands and China and vowed to respond to any attempt to establish a Chinese military base in the island nation.

A draft copy of the security pact leaked onto social media in late March but neither party has made public the deal, reportedly signed by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and his Solomon Islands counterpart Jeremiah Manele.

The deal has drawn expressions of deep concern from U.S. allies Australia and New Zealand that it could enable China to extend its military reach in the Pacific. It also prompted a hasty visit to the Pacific by two top U.S. diplomats.

U.S. National Security Council Indo-Pacific Coordinator Kurt Campbell and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink led a U.S. delegation to Honiara late last week where they held a 90-minute “constructive and candid meeting” with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Kritenbrink told journalists at a teleconference on Tuesday that the lack of transparency of the security agreement was “our fundamental concern.”

“I think it’s clear that only a handful of people in a very small circle have seen this agreement, and the prime minister himself has been quoted publicly as saying he would only share the details with China’s permission, which I think is a source of concern as well,” the U.S senior diplomat said.

“Of course we have respect for the Solomon Islands’ sovereignty, but we also wanted to let them know that if steps were taken to establish a de facto permanent military presence, power-projection capabilities, or a military installation, then we would have significant concerns and we would very naturally respond to those concerns,” Kritenbrink said.

‘RED LINE ’

The assistant secretary of state declined to elaborate on possible responses to security implications caused by the new agreement but said that Prime Minister Sogavare gave the U.S. three specific assurances that “there would be no military base, no long-term presence, no power-projection capability."

In Washington, during a Tuesday hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Republican Sen. Mitt Romney called the agreement “alarming.” In response, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he shared the senator’s concern. He reiterated the assurances the U.S. delegation had gotten from Sogavare, adding: “We will be watching that very, very closely in the weeks and months ahead.”

Sogavare’s words have done little to calm Solomon Islands’ neighbors. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that a military base would be a “red line” for Canberra. The Solomons occupies a remote but strategic location in the western Pacific, about 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from the northeastern coast of Australia.

Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), said: “I think now that the security agreement has been officially signed, there is little the U.S. or Australia can do to reverse it. The key question now is how fast will China move to establish a permanent presence, leading to a base, in the Solomon Islands.”

“Australia and the U.S. can try to use diplomacy to convince the Sogavare government to not allow this base to be established quickly, or to constrain its size and function, but there is little chance that these efforts will succeed, as it’s clear that Sogavare has aligned with China,” Davis said.

“They can also try to contain Chinese influence in the region further by 'stepping up' the 'Pacific Step Up' and making it more effective,” he said, referring to the Biden administration’s push to increase U.S. engagement in the region. He added: “This has greater chance of success given the regional concern about the agreement signed between Solomon Islands and China.”

Norah Huang, associate research fellow at Prospect Foundation, a Taiwanese think tank, described the deal as “opportunism” by the Solomons prime minister. She said the best response might be “candid talks with the governing parties in private to walk it back or at least neutralize the deal.”

“But Australia, the U.S. and New Zealand should be careful not to reward those who play opportunism,” Huang said.

REGIONAL EFFORTS

Japan became the latest regional power to send a representative to the Solomon Islands to express concern over the security pact. According to Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, the Solomons prime minister repeated assurances to Japanese officials on Tuesday that he had no intention of allowing China to build military bases in his country, Reuters reported.

Davis at ASPI said the China-Solomons deal could presage a move by Beijing to extend its reach in the South Pacific.

“I think the greatest risk is that China would choose to extend its influence into Papua New Guinea, where it already has substantial investment, and is openly talking about a 'fishing facility' at Daru Island, which could ultimately be the basis for a port that could support Chinese Coast Guard vessels,” he said.

“The U.S. and Australia, as well as New Zealand, will now need to adjust their defense policies with the prospect of a forward Chinese military presence in the Southwest Pacific that certainly dramatically increases the military threat to the Australian eastern seaboard, but also severs the sea lane of communication between Australia and the United States,” the defense analyst said.

‘TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE ’

There have been calls in Australia’s political and defense circles to “prepare for war,” and Davis said there should be some review of Australian defense force posture, and greater investment into air, sea, and space capabilities across the Coral Sea.

Yet the efforts by the U.S. and allies “may be too little, too late,” said Andy Mok, senior research fellow at the Center for China and Globalization in Beijing.

The U.S. has abandoned its embassy in Honiara for nearly 30 years and only now is talking about re-opening it.

“In the Pacific, the U.S. seems to be pursuing a strategy of denial towards China. If China seeks something, the U.S. will attempt to prevent China from achieving it even if it is for the greater good,” said Mok.

Chinese officials maintain that the security cooperation between China and Solomon Islands “is based on equality and mutual benefits.”

Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Wang Wenbin retaliated on Monday to the criticism about the lack of transparency behind the security deal with the Solomon Islands, referring to “the AUKUS security partnership that is neither open nor transparent.”

AUKUS is a newly-established security grouping between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. China has criticized it as fueling militarization in the Indo-Pacific.

While denying that China will build a military base in the Solomon Islands, calling it “pure disinformation,” Wang said the nearly 800 U.S. bases across the world “have long been of major concern.”

“When will the U.S. shut down those bases?” he asked.

How about we rebrand this country, properly federalize it and rename it to “The Nigritian Federation” or simply NIGRITIA. Afterall, Nigritia is our ancient name before Lady Lugard renamed it Nigeria.

This is part of our blueprint

Insha Allah, our govt will propose this to NASS.

It is high time to clean ourselves from negative stereotypes, reorganize ourselves and reclaim our country away from our colonial identities and divisions to our own definitions of unity, integration, tolerance and cohesion

This is our country, we shall make it great insha Allah

ignis:
Source?

Presidential aspirant Bola Tinubu has remained adamant with his claim that the Permanent Voters Card issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission can expire.

Mr Tinubu, while addressing supporters in Onikan Lagos on Saturday, reasserted his position, urging his supporters to revalidate their PVCs.

“If you have no PVC, if you have no revalidation of that PVC, you don’t know whether it has expired.

“Don’t forget that there is an expiry date on even your cash. So go and revalidate your card,” Mr Tinubu said.

Mr Tinubu first made this claim January 18, while addressing a group of women leaders who paid him a visit in Abuja.

“In case they do not announce to you on time, the PVC you have has expired.

“Take one family member, two family members, knock on all doors and make sure that the new registration… Because they may not announce to you on time. The PVCs you have expired. Yes!” Mr Tinubu had said.

At the time, INEC swiftly debunked Mr Tinubu’s claims and asked Nigerians to disregard the misinformation.

The electoral body said the voter’s card is permanent and can be used for future elections without needing revalidation.

“This information is not correct. The PVC issued to all previously registered voters remains valid.

“This kind of statement will certainly push eligible voters to register more than once, thereby creating the problem of double and multiple registrations,” Chief Technical Adviser to the Chairman of INEC, Bolade Eyinla, said.

Mr Tinubu had apologised for the misinformation through his media aide, Tunde Rahman, after INEC fact checked his statement to be incorrect.

However, despite INEC’s refutal and Mr Tinubu’s apology, the former governor aspiring to be Nigeria’s president has remained adamant in his claim.