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The two men allege they were abused by the singer when they were children.

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have accused Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, of complicity in the killing of their colleagues during a protest in the state.

The sect revealed this in a letter dated January 3, 2020 and addressed to the governor.

The group described the silence and insensitivity of Tambywal as approval of brutal attack on the group and reckless use of state power by security agencies.

The letter reads,  "We regret to write to report to you the unfortunate and avoidable violent attack by the Sokoto State Police Command on the group on December 27, 2019. 

"This irresponsibility, which marked the resurgence of reckless use of force against an endangered minority group in the state is undoubtedly the result of the  inconsiderate attitude with which our letter of September 3 was treated.

"Your indifference thus represents your silent approval. This is unbecoming given the growing concerns for security and peaceful coexistence in the state.

"Your timely intervention at this time of complex security challenges facing the state and the nation at large becomes obligatory." 

The movement described the use of live ammunition by the police on  protesters including women, children, and the aged as crude and primitive.

Police in Sokoto had on Friday last week opened fire and killed members of the group during a protest to demand the release of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
 

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Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria have accused Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, of complicity in the killing of their colleagues during a protest in the state.

The sect revealed this in a letter dated January 3, 2020 and addressed to the governor.

The group described the silence and insensitivity of Tambywal as approval of brutal attack on the group and reckless use of state power by security agencies.

The letter reads,  "We regret to write to report to you the unfortunate and avoidable violent attack by the Sokoto State Police Command on the group on December 27, 2019. 

"This irresponsibility, which marked the resurgence of reckless use of force against an endangered minority group in the state is undoubtedly the result of the  inconsiderate attitude with which our letter of September 3 was treated.

"Your indifference thus represents your silent approval. This is unbecoming given the growing concerns for security and peaceful coexistence in the state.

"Your timely intervention at this time of complex security challenges facing the state and the nation at large becomes obligatory." 

The movement described the use of live ammunition by the police on  protesters including women, children, and the aged as crude and primitive.

Police in Sokoto had on Friday last week opened fire and killed members of the group during a protest to demand the release of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.
 

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Scores of shops and goods worth several thousands of naira have been  consumed by fire at Amasoma community in Southern Ijaw Council area of Bayelsa State. 

An eyewitness told SaharaReporters that the inferno started around 5:00pm on Friday and that no one has been able to ascertain how it started. 

When contacted, spokesperson for the police in the state, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the incident but said the command was awaiting details from the  Divisional Police Officer of the area. 

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The Department of State Services has arrested one Kabiru Mohammed for being the mastermind of the photos and videos of President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, suggesting that he was planning to marry the women.

The DSS, while parading Mohammed, said it received a petition from Ahmed to investigate the photos and videos and uncover the persons involved in the circulation of such materials.

Spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said the secret agency arrested the suspected culprit and he had confessed to creating and circulating the video.

He warned Nigerians against the spread of false news on the social media because victims of such fake news experience untold pains.

The suspect, who spoke in Hausa language, told journalists that he is a member of the Kwankwasiya political movement in Kano.

He added that he is a supporter the President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress.

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The Department of State Services has arrested one Kabiru Mohammed for being the mastermind of the photos and videos of President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, and Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, suggesting that he was planning to marry the women.

The DSS, while parading Mohammed, said it received a petition from Ahmed to investigate the photos and videos and uncover the persons involved in the circulation of such materials.

Spokesperson for the DSS, Peter Afunanya, said the secret agency arrested the suspected culprit and he had confessed to creating and circulating the video.

He warned Nigerians against the spread of false news on the social media because victims of such fake news experience untold pains.

The suspect, who spoke in Hausa language, told journalists that he is a member of the Kwankwasiya political movement in Kano.

He added that he is a supporter the President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress.

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Seinye, widow of Founder of Moni Pulo Limited, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, on Friday said that the January 25 burial date of her husband was still achievable.

She made the statement while reacting to the alleged cancellation of the late billionaire’s burial earlier scheduled for that date by her step-son, Dumo, and other members of the family.

In a statement by her spokesperson, Oraye St. Franklyn, Seinye said she believes that the burial was still achievable because the pre-conditions given to Dumo by the Ghana High Court before the release of the late oil mogul’s body for burial were not difficult to meet.

The Ghanaian Police and government mortuary have been in charge of the body until certain conditions are fulfilled by the family.

The statement reads, “Dr Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs believes that Dumo’s hurried and unilateral cancellation of the burial of his father for the fourth time is indicative of his unwillingness to lay him to rest.

“She however maintains that the cancellation is unnecessary and that the excuse that her appeal of the high court judgment is responsible for the postponement is untrue and grossly misleading.

“Dr Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs repeats that her appeal was made because Dumo without fulfilling any of the three pre-conditions imposed on him by the court had gone to the mortuary to pick up the body of her husband without her knowledge.

“She views that action as part of a plot to fabricate false evidence supporting Dumo’s contrived allegation of her killing her 88-year-old husband whom she cared for and loved for more than two decades.”

In a court document seen earlier by our correspondent, part of the conditions given before the release of the body of the late billionaire include that the delegation led by Dumo, a traditional chief, will convey the body of the deceased to Nigeria, and would have two representatives of the widow, who in this instance is also the plaintiff.

The document also stipulated that Seinye would not be made to suffer or undergo any cruel, inhumane or barbaric customary practices when the body arrives Nigeria and that she would be allowed to attend her husband’s burial.

The widow further said that if all conditions set by the court are met by her step-son and other family members, she would withdraw her appeal against the judgment so that the burial can still hold on January 25 as initially planned.

In his response to the matter especially the delay in the release of his father’s body for burial earlier, Dumo, through his spokesperson, Uche Woke, had said that all the family wanted was for things to be done the proper way as stipulated by law.

He said, “Pastor Seinye claims that she has done an autopsy and that she is in possession of the report, but the coroners court in Ghana where she is holding her husband's remains ordered for an inquest because as they found out from the Ghana Police Service, the police guidelines were not followed and no such autopsy report has ever been sighted by the police authority.

“The children and the family of High Chief O.B Lulu-Briggs are not satisfied with that result given the obvious one-sided situation that tacitly excluded key persons and denied transparent monitoring from the opposing end.

“The children and family members reserve the right to seek for a transparent autopsy; and they are emphatic about having everyone including Pastor Seinye Lulu-Briggs tightly involved to ensure that the proper things are done.”

According to findings by our correspondent, the matter has left many high-ranking figures in Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers State where Abonnema, the hometown of the Briggs falls under, deeply troubled.

Many observers, who had advised the family to close ranks and resolve the matter, view the situation as an unfair treatment and disrespect for the late O.B Lulu-Briggs, who touched lives through various acts of philanthropy during his lifetime. 

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Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC

The Muslim Rights Concern has claimed that Christians in Nigeria enjoy more holidays than Muslims in the country. 

MURIC made this assertion in a statement released on Friday by its Director, Ishaq Akintola, in reaction to an earlier claim by the Christian Association of Nigeria that Christians were being persecuted in the country. 

Akintola said, “CAN claims it is being persecuted but fails to substantiate its allegation in concrete terms.

“However, the last holiday of Wednesday, January 1, 2020 which is an annual event has exposed CAN. 

“Nigerian Christians enjoy the New Year holiday on January 1 every year even without asking for it because that was the arrangement made by the British colonial master. But CAN still claims ‘persecution’ even though it is placed at an advantaged position.

“But when the Muslims’ first day of the year comes (1st Muharram), there will be no holiday. When will CAN put itself in the Muslims’ shoes? Or rather when, indeed, will the Nigerian Government give Muslims what the colonial masters denied them but gave Christians? When will the Muslims get justice in this country? Here is persecution of Muslims that even CAN cannot deny. 

“Christians have five out of the eight holidays enjoyed by Nigerians. Muslims have three only. Yet CAN claims persecution. Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year Day, Easter Monday and Good Friday are all for Christians. We dare CAN to deny it. Are these not concrete privileges enjoyed by Christians? 

“CAN knows that it is the Muslims who are denied certain fundamental human rights but it is determined to maintain the status quo. The modus operandi adopted by CAN to ensure that Muslims never get their rights is to perpetually cry out with claims of persecution and also to oppose every attempt to give Muslims their rights.

“MURIC will not be deterred from pursuing Islamic liberation theology to a logical conclusion in Nigeria. We assert clearly, categorically and unequivocally that Muslims are in bondage in this country. Why should one group get all the honey in the land while the other is ignored? We demand equal rights and justice.”

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The United States has ordered its citizens to immediately move out of Iran after American Forces killed a top Iranian commander, Qassem Soleimani, in Baghdad, on Friday.

In a travel advice by the US Department of State on Friday, Americans were told to leave while all consular operations in Iraq has been suspended.

In a post on Twitter, the US said, “Due to heightened tensions in Iraq and the region, we urge US citizens to depart Iraq immediately.

“Due to Iranian-backed militia attacks at the US Embassy compound, all consular operations are suspended. US citizens should not approach the Embassy.”

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The Nigerian Government on Friday began demolition of illegal structures under some bridges in Lagos, a report by News Agency of Nigeria said.

The demolition exercise began with a fence built under the Apongbon Bridge on the CMS-bound carriageway on Lagos Island.

The fence, which was still under construction, had been raised by seven to eight coaches on various sections.

A senior engineer in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mrs Musiliat Aloba, who led a team of engineers and security operatives on the exercise, said she was acting on instruction.

However, there was misunderstanding with the commencement of demolition of fences under the CMS Bridge, which was nearing completion on some sections.

Some workers on site, who tried to resist the demolition, argued that it was a legal project which had an approval.

But Aloba said, “When you conceal the bridge, nobody can see what happens under. The Federal Government has lost so much money due to burnt bridges.”

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United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, on Friday said that the “world cannot afford” another Gulf war, following the killing of Iran’s top military commander by a United States strike.

“The secretary-general has consistently advocated for de-escalation in the Gulf.

“This is a moment in which leaders must exercise maximum restraint. The world cannot afford another war in the Gulf,” a spokesman for Guterres said in a statement.

The United States announced early Friday that it had killed Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Quds Force, in a strike on Baghdad’s international airport.

Enraged by the killing of Soleimani, spokesperson for Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Brigadier-General Ramezan Sharif, told the United States and Israel earlier on Friday that their momentary joy will be turned into mourning.

"Certainly the momentary joy of the Americans and Zionists will not last long and will turn into mourning," Sharif said.

"The Israelis and Americans have committed a blatant crime at odds with all international regulations and laws and they should rest assured that they will receive a tough response," he promised.

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