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The Christian Association of Nigeria has declared three days of national prayer in churches across Nigeria between May 28 and May 30.

In a statement by Joseph Bade Daramola, its general secretary, the association urged Christians in the country to solicit God's mercy within the three days in view of the insecurities ravaging the country.

The statement read, “This is to inform you that the CAN President, in view of the continuous killings, banditry and host of other problems in Nigeria has considered it imperative and absolutely necessary that our country needed prayers for God's mercy and intervention in our land.

“Consequently, all local churches are expected to gather in the evening of each day set aside for the prayers to pray to God in the attitude of mourning or soberness for the bloodshed of many innocent Nigerians most especially Christians.

“In the light of these, the following are the suggested prayer points to be followed during the said prayer meetings:

“That we are sad and pained for the blood of many innocent Nigerians that evil people in our midst had shed or for those kidnapped and abused in various ways. That God should forgive our sins wherever we as a church or Nigerians, especially our leaders had sinned against God.

“That the plans of the evil people in our midst to paralyze human, social and economic activities in this nation and throw the nation into chaos would be foiled by the Lord Jesus Christ.

“That any religious madness or war that would not allow us to worship God in the way we are convinced to worship Him would be nullified by the Lord.

“Pray that the church would prevail overall threats to her existence in Nigeria. That the gate of hell will never prevail against the church in the name of Jesus.

“That our leaders would do justice in leadership and show fairness to all ethnic and religious groups in all their actions to douse ethnic and religious tensions we have presently.

“That the law enforcement agents would rise to their responsibilities and provide the necessary security we need in Nigeria.

“That every step the terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, gunmen and other wicked people in our midst take henceforth would be failed. That unseen hands and the army of the Lord would fight them and Nigeria would be at peace.

“Pray and plant righteousness, Godliness, prosperity, peace and love in our nation. Pray for the speedy recovery of our nation from all our losses so that this nation might become very soon a nation that everyone in the world would love to be.

“Pray to break the yoke of the generational curse that might have been placed on Nigeria and her leadership during the slave trade by the victims."

In recent times, states across the country have been grappling with increased attacks by bandits, kidnappers and unknown gunmen.

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Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has said he will sue Hamza Al-Mustapha, a former Chief Security Officer to Ex-Head of State, General Sani Abacha for making inciting and defamatory comments over the death of Chief MKO Abiola and the June 12 incident.

Falana stated that Al-Mustapha is peddling lies, which the ex-CSO never said during his trial where he (Falana) cross-examined him over the death of Abiola and his wife, Kudirat.

Femi Falana, SAN.

Al-Mustapha, while speaking in a television interview, People, Politics and Power, had stated that some leaders of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) went to the Presidential Villa, Abuja to collect millions of dollars, barely 24 hours after Abiola’s death.

He said, “If Abiola was alive, he would have been one of my witnesses which I know wouldn’t have happened, we should be looking at the larger issues. The question is why should Abiola be killed and why should they be angry that I’m asking these questions?

“Falana is making a mistake. General Abacha served in many formations in Yoruba land and he had many Yoruba friends, including traditional rulers. He served as General Officer Commanding, Ibadan. He served as Chief of Army Staff all in Lagos and the Chief of Defence Staff.

“And so for Falana to come to TV and be talking, many of them are just keeping quiet for him. The question is; who is paying Falana to do this? The late MKO Abiola was killed on July 8. Money was shared, withdrawn from the Central Bank of Nigeria on the 9th. Money was brought in dollars, pounds and naira.”

Reacting, Falana vowed to take Al-Mustapha to court for his defamatory comments and twisted stance on the June 12 saga and the death of Abiola.

Falana said, “I am taking him to court. I represented the Abiola family, Ransome-Kuti family and many other victims of human rights abuse under successive military regimes. I cross-examined this guy (Al-Mustapha) over the killing of M.K.O. and his wife. He never linked me with this rubbish. 

“I wrote a petition and gave evidence over the abuse meted out to me. When Al-Mustapha accused Chief (Bola) Ige and Chief (Ayo) Adesanya of collecting bribe after the killing of Abiola, I asked the public to disregard his tissue of lies.

“When he was discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal, I criticised the judgment. He has suddenly woken up to link me with collecting bribe as a NADECO member. You know I was never in NADECO.”

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The Nigerian Army has said it has arrested the Second-in-Command to the neutralised commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Aba town in Abia State during the raid.

The army arrested 48-year-old Awurum Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta in the Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Director, Army Public Relations, in a release said, Eze had escaped from his village on May 4 when the operatives of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding. 

He said, “The Second-in-Command to the neutralised IPOB/ESN Terrorist leader Ikonso, Awurum Eze, has been arrested by security operatives in Aba, Abia State. 

“The 48-year-old Awurum Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano LGA, Imo State, had on the 4th of May, 2021 escaped when operatives of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding. 

“Intensive manhunt was thereafter launched towards tracing and arresting him. He was eventually apprehended on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Aba after weeks of unrelenting follow-ups by operatives. 

“Awurum Eze is one of the main sponsors of the numerous killings in Imo State and has been on the wanted list of security agents for more than 3 months.

“Many of the arrested IPOB /ESN terrorists had earlier mentioned him as their key sponsor, mastermind and Second-in-Command to the late Ikonso. According to them, amongst all their leaders in Imo State, only Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu. He can be seen in several photographs posing with the fugitive terrorist leader, Nnamdi Kanu. 

“Investigation by the combined team of security operatives continues.”

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The Nigerian Army has said it has arrested the Second-in-Command to the neutralised commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) in Aba town in Abia State during the raid.

The army arrested 48-year-old Awurum Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta in the Isiala-Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Director, Army Public Relations, in a release said, Eze had escaped from his village on May 4 when the operatives of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding. 

He said, “The Second-in-Command to the neutralised IPOB/ESN Terrorist leader Ikonso, Awurum Eze, has been arrested by security operatives in Aba, Abia State. 

“The 48-year-old Awurum Eze, a native of Umoneke Nta, Isiala-Mbano LGA, Imo State, had on the 4th of May, 2021 escaped when operatives of Intelligence Response Team (IRT) stormed his village house in Isiala Mbano where he was hiding. 

“Intensive manhunt was thereafter launched towards tracing and arresting him. He was eventually apprehended on Wednesday, May 12, 2021, in Aba after weeks of unrelenting follow-ups by operatives. 

“Awurum Eze is one of the main sponsors of the numerous killings in Imo State and has been on the wanted list of security agents for more than 3 months.

“Many of the arrested IPOB /ESN terrorists had earlier mentioned him as their key sponsor, mastermind and Second-in-Command to the late Ikonso. According to them, amongst all their leaders in Imo State, only Ikonso and Awurum have direct communication link with Nnamdi Kanu. He can be seen in several photographs posing with the fugitive terrorist leader, Nnamdi Kanu. 

“Investigation by the combined team of security operatives continues.”

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The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has been accused of gross impersonation, assault and murder over a landed property belonging to one Alhaji Auwalu Liman in Lagos State.

It was gathered that the governor, in a bid to forcibly obtain the land for his company, Heyden Petroleum Limited, destroyed properties worth millions of naira, by using the police and other security forces to assault the landowner and occupants. 

Governor Dapo Abiodun

The assault reportedly led to the death of some persons while others sustained injuries.

SaharaReporters learnt that the landed property, which measures about 2893.2288 metres, is located at Iddo Foreshore, Iddo, Lagos state.

Prior to the threats, Heyden Petroleum Limited had approached Liman on several occasions, asking him to give up the property in exchange for monetary compensation, an offer which he vehemently rejected.

It was alleged that the company then threatened to take over the property without compensation. 

On April 3, a Manager at Heyden Petroleum Limited, alongside three police officers from the Lagos State Environmental Taskforce invaded the property and pasted a notice requesting Liman to vacate the premises within 7 days without explaining any wrongdoing whatsoever.

On April 11 2021, it was alleged that heavily-armed security officers of the Lagos State Environmental Task force invaded the property, destroyed Liman's office, prayer house and other valuables.

According to Liman's lawyer, the police simply explained that they acted that way because the property was being contested by Dapo Abiodun’s Heyden Petroleum Limited and that Alhaji Auwalu Liman Kano had no right to be there. 

Again, on Monday, 12th of April, 2021, Liman’s representatives, including his lawyers, Iyang Udoema and S. R. Aliyu, visited the Taskforce office at Oshodi, Lagos to find out the reason for the invasion. 

They met with the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye.

According to them, Jejeloye also told the delegation that the reason for the invasion was because the property was being contested by Heyden Petroleum Limited and that Alhaji Auwalu Liman Kano had no right to be there.

It was gathered that Heyden Petroleum Limited had been making frantic efforts to lease the landed property to any interested party. An inside source at Heyden Petroleum Limited (who pleaded anonymity) also confirmed this to SaharaReporters.

Since the invasion by the Lagos State Task Force in April this year, a certain Michael, an agent to Heyden Petroleum Limited has been marketing the landed property to some persons known to Alhaji Liman (the legal occupier of the land), and persuading them to take lease of the landed property while promising potential buyers that the Ogun state governor, Abiodun would exert his political influence to eject Liman from the property.

It was also alleged that seven persons: Nasiru Muhammed, Umar Garba, Babangida Ibrahim, Muhammed Lifia, Abdullahi Balaclava, Dan Fulani, Bashir Idris had been killed since February 3rd, 2016 when the trouble started.

Ten others: Ayuba Imrana, Ibrahim Abdul, Gambo Abdullahi, Hamisu Dauda, Bala Dauda, Baba Mairake, Tsoho Mairake, Usaini Adamu, Ahmada Abdullahi, Bashir Sale, have sustained severe injuries at different times during attacks by police officers and other security agencies operating at the request of the Ogun State Governor, and his company, Heyden Petroleum Limited.

It was gathered that on February 3, 2016, the Lagos State Environmental Task force, prompted by Governor Abiodun and his company, invaded Liman's property around 2 am and attacked the workers and other legitimate businessmen and women operating on the landed property. 

Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. 

This led to a fundamental human rights action instituted by Liman's lawyers in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1696/2016 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Despite this, in desperate but failed attempts to dispossess Liman of the property, Abiodun and his company, Hayden Petroleum have continued to harass the workers using police officers and other security agencies to illegally arrest and detain them.

“The landed property of about 2893.2288 metres which is situated at Iddo in Lagos state has been lawfully occupied by Alhaji Auwalu Liman Kano who has been carrying out his legitimate business on the landed property since 1976.

“Auwalu Liman, who has been legally occupying the landed property since 1976 and has been paying rents to Apapa Local Government under whose authority the property was, has come under threats and survived several attacks from the Ogun state governor, who is hell-bent on grabbing the landed property through the use of brute force, using the Nigeria Police. 

“We have receipts of payment of rent to Apapa Local Government by Alhaji Auwalu Liman since 1976.

“Upon the taking over of the property by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Alhaji Auwalu Liman was granted license and lease of the property via a letter dated 7th October, 1994.

“Subsequently, when the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing took over all the properties at Iddo Foreshore, the ministry ratified Alhaji Auwalu Liman’s lease.

“By a letter dated 22nd April, 1997, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing granted a further lease which is subject to payment of annual rent which Auwalu Liman has been paying to the Federal Government over the years,” Liman's lawyer told our correspondent.

It was also stated that Alhaji Auwalu Liman Kano was still paying annual rent to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has been accused of gross impersonation, assault and murder over a landed property belonging to one Alhaji Auwalu Liman in Lagos State.

It was gathered that the governor, in a bid to forcibly obtain the land for his company, Heyden Petroleum Limited, destroyed properties worth millions of naira, by using the police and other security forces to assault the landowner and occupants. 

Governor Dapo Abiodun

The assault reportedly led to the death of some persons while others sustained injuries.

SaharaReporters learnt that the landed property, which measures about 2893.2288 metres, is located at Iddo Foreshore, Iddo, Lagos state.

Prior to the threats, Heyden Petroleum Limited had approached Liman on several occasions, asking him to give up the property in exchange for monetary compensation, an offer which he vehemently rejected.

It was alleged that the company then threatened to take over the property without compensation. 

On April 3, a Manager at Heyden Petroleum Limited, alongside three police officers from the Lagos State Environmental Taskforce invaded the property and pasted a notice requesting Liman to vacate the premises within 7 days without explaining any wrongdoing whatsoever.

On April 11 2021, it was alleged that heavily-armed security officers of the Lagos State Environmental Task force invaded the property, destroyed Liman's office, prayer house and other valuables.

According to Liman's lawyer, the police simply explained that they acted that way because the property was being contested by Dapo Abiodun’s Heyden Petroleum Limited and that Alhaji Auwalu Liman Kano had no right to be there. 

Again, on Monday, 12th of April, 2021, Liman’s representatives, including his lawyers, Iyang Udoema and S. R. Aliyu, visited the Taskforce office at Oshodi, Lagos to find out the reason for the invasion. 

They met with the Chairman of the Taskforce, CSP Shola Jejeloye.

According to them, Jejeloye also told the delegation that the reason for the invasion was because the property was being contested by Heyden Petroleum Limited and that Alhaji Auwalu Liman Kano had no right to be there.

It was gathered that Heyden Petroleum Limited had been making frantic efforts to lease the landed property to any interested party. An inside source at Heyden Petroleum Limited (who pleaded anonymity) also confirmed this to SaharaReporters.

Since the invasion by the Lagos State Task Force in April this year, a certain Michael, an agent to Heyden Petroleum Limited has been marketing the landed property to some persons known to Alhaji Liman (the legal occupier of the land), and persuading them to take lease of the landed property while promising potential buyers that the Ogun state governor, Abiodun would exert his political influence to eject Liman from the property.

It was also alleged that seven persons: Nasiru Muhammed, Umar Garba, Babangida Ibrahim, Muhammed Lifia, Abdullahi Balaclava, Dan Fulani, Bashir Idris had been killed since February 3rd, 2016 when the trouble started.

Ten others: Ayuba Imrana, Ibrahim Abdul, Gambo Abdullahi, Hamisu Dauda, Bala Dauda, Baba Mairake, Tsoho Mairake, Usaini Adamu, Ahmada Abdullahi, Bashir Sale, have sustained severe injuries at different times during attacks by police officers and other security agencies operating at the request of the Ogun State Governor, and his company, Heyden Petroleum Limited.

It was gathered that on February 3, 2016, the Lagos State Environmental Task force, prompted by Governor Abiodun and his company, invaded Liman's property around 2 am and attacked the workers and other legitimate businessmen and women operating on the landed property. 

Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed. 

This led to a fundamental human rights action instituted by Liman's lawyers in Suit No: FHC/L/CS/1696/2016 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

Despite this, in desperate but failed attempts to dispossess Liman of the property, Abiodun and his company, Hayden Petroleum have continued to harass the workers using police officers and other security agencies to illegally arrest and detain them.

“The landed property of about 2893.2288 metres which is situated at Iddo in Lagos state has been lawfully occupied by Alhaji Auwalu Liman Kano who has been carrying out his legitimate business on the landed property since 1976.

“Auwalu Liman, who has been legally occupying the landed property since 1976 and has been paying rents to Apapa Local Government under whose authority the property was, has come under threats and survived several attacks from the Ogun state governor, who is hell-bent on grabbing the landed property through the use of brute force, using the Nigeria Police. 

“We have receipts of payment of rent to Apapa Local Government by Alhaji Auwalu Liman since 1976.

“Upon the taking over of the property by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Alhaji Auwalu Liman was granted license and lease of the property via a letter dated 7th October, 1994.

“Subsequently, when the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing took over all the properties at Iddo Foreshore, the ministry ratified Alhaji Auwalu Liman’s lease.

“By a letter dated 22nd April, 1997, the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing granted a further lease which is subject to payment of annual rent which Auwalu Liman has been paying to the Federal Government over the years,” Liman's lawyer told our correspondent.

It was also stated that Alhaji Auwalu Liman Kano was still paying annual rent to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

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Metropole Interproject Limited, a company linked to the Ooni of Ife, Yoruba’s foremost traditional ruler, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has denied swindling housing investors and buyers to the tune of hundreds of millions of naira.

A report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism had accused Oba Ogunwusi, Metropole Interproject Limited and its parent company, Gran Imperio Group of defrauding Nigerians in massive real estate scandal.

Lanre Jolaoso, Legal Adviser of the company in a statement on Wednesday described the report as misleading and false.

Jolaoso, however, admitted irregularities in the housing scheme, adding that the company has been issuing refunds to its subscribers.

He said, “The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi as far back as 2015 (just immediately after executing the Joint venture agreement for the Golden leaf project) and before his ascension to the throne, relinquished effective control and his equity in Metropole Interproject Limited to third parties and professional managers. His Majesty, has never interfered with the running of the company since then till date.

“Immediately upon execution of the joint venture agreement between Metropole Interproject Limited and its contract counter party, we (MIL) spent over N1.2 billion developing the road infrastructure from Ocean Bay Estate to the site of the Golden Leaf project, an almost 7km stretch of interlocking road, whilst contributing substantially to the road project of Olugborogan (what is today referred to as Orchid Road). 

“The funds spent in these required infrastructure projects, were from Metropole Interproject Ltd and from funds paid by numerous subscribers to the Golden leaf project. Till date, nobody is talking about refund of that amount of money and the general public is using the private road freely which is in the common knowledge. 

“However, as with every commercial venture, ta dispute broke out between the parties to the joint venture and this took years to resolve, thankfully, after the recent intervention of the Ooni of Ife. The challenges faced by the Golden Leaf project are matters of public record contained in suit FHC/CS/L/991/2016 and appeal number CA/L/226/2017. See Also Scandal Royal Fraud: Companies Linked To Ooni Of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Defraud Nigerians In Massive Real Estate Scandal 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

“MIL has never for once denied its responsibilities to its subscribers, and has indeed commenced development in Golden Leaf Estate, and has been issuing refunds to subscribers, who have chosen to opt out of the project. We will continue to service those obligations like every reasonable organisation. 

“In October 2020, MIL circulated a memo to some of the said subscribers to begin reconciliation and send in their bank details for refund. Refunds kicked off immediately, and with over a hundred people refunded already, the process is still ongoing. Another communication is scheduled to go out once we have cleared the first batch of refunds by August 2021. If any subscriber is yet to receive his/her refund, they are hereby advised to send a communication with their subscription details to admin@metropoleinterproject.com and get their refund process started or get in touch with the undersigned or the company’s retained solicitor, Messrs. Prag Attorneys (Attention; Olanrewaju Jolaoso Esq.; email; olanrewaju@pragattorneys.com).

“The 5 (Five) subscribers, who are referred to in the referenced article, are enjoined to immediately contact our staff or solicitor (through the emails specified in this letter) to ensure that their refund is processed accordingly.If truly they are objective without any clandestine they should have guided themselves with the ethical principles of investigative journalism which is missing in their unbalanced news reports.”

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Metropole Interproject Limited, a company linked to the Ooni of Ife, Yoruba’s foremost traditional ruler, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has denied swindling housing investors and buyers to the tune of hundreds of millions of naira.

A report by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism had accused Oba Ogunwusi, Metropole Interproject Limited and its parent company, Gran Imperio Group of defrauding Nigerians in massive real estate scandal.

Lanre Jolaoso, Legal Adviser of the company in a statement on Wednesday described the report as misleading and false.

Jolaoso, however, admitted irregularities in the housing scheme, adding that the company has been issuing refunds to its subscribers.

He said, “The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi as far back as 2015 (just immediately after executing the Joint venture agreement for the Golden leaf project) and before his ascension to the throne, relinquished effective control and his equity in Metropole Interproject Limited to third parties and professional managers. His Majesty, has never interfered with the running of the company since then till date.

“Immediately upon execution of the joint venture agreement between Metropole Interproject Limited and its contract counter party, we (MIL) spent over N1.2 billion developing the road infrastructure from Ocean Bay Estate to the site of the Golden Leaf project, an almost 7km stretch of interlocking road, whilst contributing substantially to the road project of Olugborogan (what is today referred to as Orchid Road). 

“The funds spent in these required infrastructure projects, were from Metropole Interproject Ltd and from funds paid by numerous subscribers to the Golden leaf project. Till date, nobody is talking about refund of that amount of money and the general public is using the private road freely which is in the common knowledge. 

“However, as with every commercial venture, ta dispute broke out between the parties to the joint venture and this took years to resolve, thankfully, after the recent intervention of the Ooni of Ife. The challenges faced by the Golden Leaf project are matters of public record contained in suit FHC/CS/L/991/2016 and appeal number CA/L/226/2017. See Also Scandal Royal Fraud: Companies Linked To Ooni Of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Defraud Nigerians In Massive Real Estate Scandal 0 Comments 1 Day Ago

“MIL has never for once denied its responsibilities to its subscribers, and has indeed commenced development in Golden Leaf Estate, and has been issuing refunds to subscribers, who have chosen to opt out of the project. We will continue to service those obligations like every reasonable organisation. 

“In October 2020, MIL circulated a memo to some of the said subscribers to begin reconciliation and send in their bank details for refund. Refunds kicked off immediately, and with over a hundred people refunded already, the process is still ongoing. Another communication is scheduled to go out once we have cleared the first batch of refunds by August 2021. If any subscriber is yet to receive his/her refund, they are hereby advised to send a communication with their subscription details to admin@metropoleinterproject.com and get their refund process started or get in touch with the undersigned or the company’s retained solicitor, Messrs. Prag Attorneys (Attention; Olanrewaju Jolaoso Esq.; email; olanrewaju@pragattorneys.com).

“The 5 (Five) subscribers, who are referred to in the referenced article, are enjoined to immediately contact our staff or solicitor (through the emails specified in this letter) to ensure that their refund is processed accordingly.If truly they are objective without any clandestine they should have guided themselves with the ethical principles of investigative journalism which is missing in their unbalanced news reports.”

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Members of the House of Representatives from Southern Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum over the prohibition of open grazing and other national issues following their meeting on Tuesday.

The Southern federal lawmakers said the resolutions of their governors would address the penetration of bandits and terrorists into their area, which has incapacitated social and economic lives of the people in the South.

They stated that the demands by the 17 governors from the Southern part of the country, which include devolution of power and creation of state policing will stabilise the country.

In a press release signed by 22 House of Representatives' members, made available to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the lawmakers vowed to support the resolutions with their legislative powers.

"The members of the House of Representatives from the 17 southern states of the federation, after due considerations, unanimously support the resolutions of the Southern Governors’ Forum on the demand for true federalism, restructuring as well as the worsening insecurity in the country, among others.

"This position is in firm restatement of our insistence that our nation must exist and be governed on the platform of democratic tenets of social justice, equity, fairness, mutual respect, true federalism, rule of law and constitutional order, and we are ready to deploy all legislative instruments at our disposal for actualisation

"Against this backdrop, the members of the House of Representatives from the South, without regard to any other affiliations, firmly support our governors on the immediate ban on open cattle grazing across the Southern Nigeria.

"We hold that such is a sure step towards checking the infiltration of bandits, armed herders and terrorist elements which has heightened security challenges with escalated killings and bloody attacks on innocent citizens, while crippling social life, economic activities and food production in the region," the statement partly read.

Among those who signed the statement on behalf of the Southern members in the House of Representatives are Hon Ndudi Elumelu, Hon Peter Akpatason, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Hon Toby Okechukwu, Hon Adesegun Mujid Adekoya, Hon Dolapo Badaru, Hon Jimoh Ojugbele and Hon Femi Fakeye.

Others are Hon Segun Odebunmi, Hon Mayowa Akin Folarin, Hon Olufemi Bamisile, Hon Oluwole Oke, Hon Victor Nwaokolo, Hon Kingsley Chinda, Hon Essien Ekpeyong Ayi, Hon Fred Agbedi, Hon Francis Charles, Hon Patrick Asadu, Hon Lynda Ikpeazu, Hon Sylvester Ogbaga, Hon Nkem Abonta and Hon Jerry Alagboso. 

While the lawmakers lent their voice in asking the Nigerian government to provide modern option to open grazing, they also cautioned those rejecting the restructuring of the country and reviewing of the revenue control.

"We therefore support the recommendation that the Federal Government should provide alternative and modern livestock management that does not constitute a security and economic challenge to the nation.

"The platform of Southern members in the House of Representatives also support our governor’s restatement of the demand for true federalism through restructuring that will lead to the devolution of power, creation of state police, review of resource control and revenue allocation formula, as well as strict adherence to federal character principle in federal appointments in the shared interests of the federating states.

"As lawmakers, we affirm that such is the only guaranteed way to ensure fairness, justice, equity to engender national stability, productivity and peaceful co-existence and we support an urgent national dialogue in that regard.

"We caution certain individuals kicking against such devolution of power and review of revenue control and allocation formula, to desist from their vested parochial interest and note that such reviews are the only way to stabilise our nation, and engender regional or state productivity and healthy development at all levels.

"Furthermore, our platform commends our governors for the concern for the asphyxiation of economic activities in the Southern Nigeria resulting from the continued congestion in ports in Lagos and the gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

"This challenge has led to loses in billions of naira to businesses and other economic activities in the industrial and commercial activities of not only in the Southern Nigeria but the nation at large.

"We therefore firmly back the demand for the establishment and activation of other ports in other states of the federation, particularly in the South where such services are in very high demand.

"As lawmakers, our platform assures of our readiness to deploy our legislative instruments to ensure speedy achievement of the reforms and constitutional amendments that will guarantee a restructuring towards the practice of true federalism in our country and we are rallying our colleagues from other parts of the country in this direction," the Southern Reps said in the statement.

They went further to commend the governors for their 'bold move', and also appealed to the people of the country to embrace the steps as a way to fix the nation.

"We urge all Nigerians to see the larger picture and ensure that all hands are on the deck to move our nation in the right direction.

"Our platform applauds our governors for their patriotism and courage while commending Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for hosting his colleagues in their quest for solutions at this critical time in our nation history," the statement added.

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Members of the House of Representatives from Southern Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum over the prohibition of open grazing and other national issues following their meeting on Tuesday.

The Southern federal lawmakers said the resolutions of their governors would address the penetration of bandits and terrorists into their area, which has incapacitated social and economic lives of the people in the South.

They stated that the demands by the 17 governors from the Southern part of the country, which include devolution of power and creation of state policing will stabilise the country.

In a press release signed by 22 House of Representatives' members, made available to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the lawmakers vowed to support the resolutions with their legislative powers.

"The members of the House of Representatives from the 17 southern states of the federation, after due considerations, unanimously support the resolutions of the Southern Governors’ Forum on the demand for true federalism, restructuring as well as the worsening insecurity in the country, among others.

"This position is in firm restatement of our insistence that our nation must exist and be governed on the platform of democratic tenets of social justice, equity, fairness, mutual respect, true federalism, rule of law and constitutional order, and we are ready to deploy all legislative instruments at our disposal for actualisation

"Against this backdrop, the members of the House of Representatives from the South, without regard to any other affiliations, firmly support our governors on the immediate ban on open cattle grazing across the Southern Nigeria.

"We hold that such is a sure step towards checking the infiltration of bandits, armed herders and terrorist elements which has heightened security challenges with escalated killings and bloody attacks on innocent citizens, while crippling social life, economic activities and food production in the region," the statement partly read.

Among those who signed the statement on behalf of the Southern members in the House of Representatives are Hon Ndudi Elumelu, Hon Peter Akpatason, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Hon Toby Okechukwu, Hon Adesegun Mujid Adekoya, Hon Dolapo Badaru, Hon Jimoh Ojugbele and Hon Femi Fakeye.

Others are Hon Segun Odebunmi, Hon Mayowa Akin Folarin, Hon Olufemi Bamisile, Hon Oluwole Oke, Hon Victor Nwaokolo, Hon Kingsley Chinda, Hon Essien Ekpeyong Ayi, Hon Fred Agbedi, Hon Francis Charles, Hon Patrick Asadu, Hon Lynda Ikpeazu, Hon Sylvester Ogbaga, Hon Nkem Abonta and Hon Jerry Alagboso. 

While the lawmakers lent their voice in asking the Nigerian government to provide modern option to open grazing, they also cautioned those rejecting the restructuring of the country and reviewing of the revenue control.

"We therefore support the recommendation that the Federal Government should provide alternative and modern livestock management that does not constitute a security and economic challenge to the nation.

"The platform of Southern members in the House of Representatives also support our governor’s restatement of the demand for true federalism through restructuring that will lead to the devolution of power, creation of state police, review of resource control and revenue allocation formula, as well as strict adherence to federal character principle in federal appointments in the shared interests of the federating states.

"As lawmakers, we affirm that such is the only guaranteed way to ensure fairness, justice, equity to engender national stability, productivity and peaceful co-existence and we support an urgent national dialogue in that regard.

"We caution certain individuals kicking against such devolution of power and review of revenue control and allocation formula, to desist from their vested parochial interest and note that such reviews are the only way to stabilise our nation, and engender regional or state productivity and healthy development at all levels.

"Furthermore, our platform commends our governors for the concern for the asphyxiation of economic activities in the Southern Nigeria resulting from the continued congestion in ports in Lagos and the gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

"This challenge has led to loses in billions of naira to businesses and other economic activities in the industrial and commercial activities of not only in the Southern Nigeria but the nation at large.

"We therefore firmly back the demand for the establishment and activation of other ports in other states of the federation, particularly in the South where such services are in very high demand.

"As lawmakers, our platform assures of our readiness to deploy our legislative instruments to ensure speedy achievement of the reforms and constitutional amendments that will guarantee a restructuring towards the practice of true federalism in our country and we are rallying our colleagues from other parts of the country in this direction," the Southern Reps said in the statement.

They went further to commend the governors for their 'bold move', and also appealed to the people of the country to embrace the steps as a way to fix the nation.

"We urge all Nigerians to see the larger picture and ensure that all hands are on the deck to move our nation in the right direction.

"Our platform applauds our governors for their patriotism and courage while commending Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for hosting his colleagues in their quest for solutions at this critical time in our nation history," the statement added.

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Members of the House of Representatives from Southern Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum over the prohibition of open grazing and other national issues following their meeting on Tuesday.

The Southern federal lawmakers said the resolutions of their governors would address the penetration of bandits and terrorists into their area, which has incapacitated social and economic lives of the people in the South.

They stated that the demands by the 17 governors from the Southern part of the country, which include devolution of power and creation of state policing will stabilise the country.

In a press release signed by 22 House of Representatives' members, made available to SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the lawmakers vowed to support the resolutions with their legislative powers.

"The members of the House of Representatives from the 17 southern states of the federation, after due considerations, unanimously support the resolutions of the Southern Governors’ Forum on the demand for true federalism, restructuring as well as the worsening insecurity in the country, among others.

"This position is in firm restatement of our insistence that our nation must exist and be governed on the platform of democratic tenets of social justice, equity, fairness, mutual respect, true federalism, rule of law and constitutional order, and we are ready to deploy all legislative instruments at our disposal for actualisation

"Against this backdrop, the members of the House of Representatives from the South, without regard to any other affiliations, firmly support our governors on the immediate ban on open cattle grazing across the Southern Nigeria.

"We hold that such is a sure step towards checking the infiltration of bandits, armed herders and terrorist elements which has heightened security challenges with escalated killings and bloody attacks on innocent citizens, while crippling social life, economic activities and food production in the region," the statement partly read.

Among those who signed the statement on behalf of the Southern members in the House of Representatives are Hon Ndudi Elumelu, Hon Peter Akpatason, Hon Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, Hon Toby Okechukwu, Hon Adesegun Mujid Adekoya, Hon Dolapo Badaru, Hon Jimoh Ojugbele and Hon Femi Fakeye.

Others are Hon Segun Odebunmi, Hon Mayowa Akin Folarin, Hon Olufemi Bamisile, Hon Oluwole Oke, Hon Victor Nwaokolo, Hon Kingsley Chinda, Hon Essien Ekpeyong Ayi, Hon Fred Agbedi, Hon Francis Charles, Hon Patrick Asadu, Hon Lynda Ikpeazu, Hon Sylvester Ogbaga, Hon Nkem Abonta and Hon Jerry Alagboso. 

While the lawmakers lent their voice in asking the Nigerian government to provide modern option to open grazing, they also cautioned those rejecting the restructuring of the country and reviewing of the revenue control.

"We therefore support the recommendation that the Federal Government should provide alternative and modern livestock management that does not constitute a security and economic challenge to the nation.

"The platform of Southern members in the House of Representatives also support our governor’s restatement of the demand for true federalism through restructuring that will lead to the devolution of power, creation of state police, review of resource control and revenue allocation formula, as well as strict adherence to federal character principle in federal appointments in the shared interests of the federating states.

"As lawmakers, we affirm that such is the only guaranteed way to ensure fairness, justice, equity to engender national stability, productivity and peaceful co-existence and we support an urgent national dialogue in that regard.

"We caution certain individuals kicking against such devolution of power and review of revenue control and allocation formula, to desist from their vested parochial interest and note that such reviews are the only way to stabilise our nation, and engender regional or state productivity and healthy development at all levels.

"Furthermore, our platform commends our governors for the concern for the asphyxiation of economic activities in the Southern Nigeria resulting from the continued congestion in ports in Lagos and the gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

"This challenge has led to loses in billions of naira to businesses and other economic activities in the industrial and commercial activities of not only in the Southern Nigeria but the nation at large.

"We therefore firmly back the demand for the establishment and activation of other ports in other states of the federation, particularly in the South where such services are in very high demand.

"As lawmakers, our platform assures of our readiness to deploy our legislative instruments to ensure speedy achievement of the reforms and constitutional amendments that will guarantee a restructuring towards the practice of true federalism in our country and we are rallying our colleagues from other parts of the country in this direction," the Southern Reps said in the statement.

They went further to commend the governors for their 'bold move', and also appealed to the people of the country to embrace the steps as a way to fix the nation.

"We urge all Nigerians to see the larger picture and ensure that all hands are on the deck to move our nation in the right direction.

"Our platform applauds our governors for their patriotism and courage while commending Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for hosting his colleagues in their quest for solutions at this critical time in our nation history," the statement added.

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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a former Vice Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Asekun Kehinde Sakiru, with cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The spokesman for the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, confirmed this on Wednesday via a statement.

According to the statement, the suspect had been on the agency's wanted list following the recent arrest of some traffickers and drug seizures linked to him.

It read, “The long arm of the law however caught up with the wanted baron at about 9.40 pm on Friday, 7th May, 2021 while trying to board a Virgin Atlantic Airline flight to London, the United Kingdom at the Lagos airport.

“At the point of his arrest, Asekun was caught with a kilogramme of cocaine concealed in five pairs of palm slippers packed inside his suitcase.

“He has been on the wanted list of the MMIA Command of the Agency in connection to a case involving one Azeez Adeniyi Ibrahim, who was arrested with 6.45kg of cocaine in December 2020.”

According to the agency, preliminary investigation revealed that the London-based suspected drug baron is a seasoned politician.

He was at different times between 2004 and 2014 the vice-chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA. He had also contested and lost elections for the House of Representatives in 2007 and Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015.

NDLEA added, “Although he claims to be an international businessman who deals in automobiles, the investigation is yet to confirm that to be the source of his acquired wealth.

“In the course of tracking him, the sum of N131 million was seized from his account and another N14 million also blocked in the account of one of his traffickers, Azeez Adeniyi Ibrahim, bringing the total sum so far recovered from him to N145 million.”

Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the MMIA Command of the Agency for resilience and dedication to duty.

He also said he was confident that with the support of all stakeholders, the problem of drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria would be drastically reduced very soon.

“This arrest is yet another message and red alert to those still in this criminal trade whether as barons or traffickers that they will soon enter the drag net of the agency, daily being spread across the country,” he said.

Drugs News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a former Vice Chairman of Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, Asekun Kehinde Sakiru, with cocaine at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

The spokesman for the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, confirmed this on Wednesday via a statement.

According to the statement, the suspect had been on the agency's wanted list following the recent arrest of some traffickers and drug seizures linked to him.

It read, “The long arm of the law however caught up with the wanted baron at about 9.40 pm on Friday, 7th May, 2021 while trying to board a Virgin Atlantic Airline flight to London, the United Kingdom at the Lagos airport.

“At the point of his arrest, Asekun was caught with a kilogramme of cocaine concealed in five pairs of palm slippers packed inside his suitcase.

“He has been on the wanted list of the MMIA Command of the Agency in connection to a case involving one Azeez Adeniyi Ibrahim, who was arrested with 6.45kg of cocaine in December 2020.”

According to the agency, preliminary investigation revealed that the London-based suspected drug baron is a seasoned politician.

He was at different times between 2004 and 2014 the vice-chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA. He had also contested and lost elections for the House of Representatives in 2007 and Lagos State House of Assembly in 2015.

NDLEA added, “Although he claims to be an international businessman who deals in automobiles, the investigation is yet to confirm that to be the source of his acquired wealth.

“In the course of tracking him, the sum of N131 million was seized from his account and another N14 million also blocked in the account of one of his traffickers, Azeez Adeniyi Ibrahim, bringing the total sum so far recovered from him to N145 million.”

Reacting to the arrest, NDLEA Chairman, Mohamed Buba Marwa commended the officers and men of the MMIA Command of the Agency for resilience and dedication to duty.

He also said he was confident that with the support of all stakeholders, the problem of drug trafficking and abuse in Nigeria would be drastically reduced very soon.

“This arrest is yet another message and red alert to those still in this criminal trade whether as barons or traffickers that they will soon enter the drag net of the agency, daily being spread across the country,” he said.

Drugs News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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There is palpable fear in many areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as bandits and kidnappers now operate freely at night in many parts of the town, with police patrols no longer in sight.

The fear is also heightened by the sudden influx of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, into the satellite towns, posing more threat and danger to the safety of residents.

File Photo

In Kubwa, Dei-Dei and Zuba, residents have reported attacks by kidnappers and armed robbers in the last one week. 

Some of the attacks are said to be perpetrated by hoodlums suspected to be roaming bandits.

Some of the hoodlums, disguised as motorcyclists, have defied the ban imposed on the use of commercial motorcycles by the FCT administration and dared the FCT Ministerial Task Team on Traffic Management as they move in droves into the suburbs of the territory.

A large number of motorcyclists were sighted by SaharaReporters at various locations in the city operating unhindered. 

Such areas include Kubwa, Nyanya, Jabi, Apo, Durumi, Guzape, Mpape and Airport Road.

Many residents are now living in fear of the growing menace of the criminal activities of some of the operators who disguise and hide under the cover of commercial motorcyclists to perpetrate crimes.

There is also apprehension and fear that the ranks of these motorcyclists may have also been infiltrated by the Boko Haram, bandits and other criminal elements.

In Kubwa, robbers and kidnappers have operated in the last one week in Chikakore, Bizyahin, Shelter Farms and Gbazango areas. Residents lamented that the police were not present in most of the cases.

“We reported but the police made no arrest. None of these criminals has been picked up. They come at night with cutlasses, machetes and charms. A few of them brandish locally made guns. They are able to kill easily if you don’t let them rob you. Sometimes, they kidnap soft targets and later call you for ransom,” a resident around Liberty Junction lamented.

Away from Kubwa, only last Sunday near St. Mary Catholic Church along Nyanya-Karshi Road, some motorcyclists stormed the area, protesting against the alleged killing of their colleagues and theft of their motorcycles.

The incident which resorted into violence caused tension and anxiety in the area as residents scampered for safety.

This happened barely a few days after a truckload of over 200 unidentified men suspected to be bandits allegedly arrived at Sabon Wuse area of Niger State, a border town with Bwari Area Council in FCT.

The report has heightened tension and sent shivers down the spines of the residents, forcing many of them to relocate for fear of being kidnapped or attacked.

A resident who identified himself as Andrew Chibike described the development as worrisome. 

According to him, it must be given due attention considering the volatile nature of the country.

“We are surprised to see that the commercial motorcycles have resurfaced and they are very rude and daring this time around. The security agents have to do more and chase them out of the town because of the things that are happening all over the country,” he said.

The motorcyclists approached declined to comment when prodded to speak on their return.

Meanwhile, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Mariam, assured residents of their safety ahead of Sallah celebrations just as he enjoined residents to report all suspicious movements to security agents.

To many residents of the FCT, however, their trust in the police to curb criminality has dwindled as the criminals appear to have overwhelmed the security architecture.

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2YqgDv6

There is palpable fear in many areas of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as bandits and kidnappers now operate freely at night in many parts of the town, with police patrols no longer in sight.

The fear is also heightened by the sudden influx of commercial motorcyclists, popularly called Okada riders, into the satellite towns, posing more threat and danger to the safety of residents.

File Photo

In Kubwa, Dei-Dei and Zuba, residents have reported attacks by kidnappers and armed robbers in the last one week. 

Some of the attacks are said to be perpetrated by hoodlums suspected to be roaming bandits.

Some of the hoodlums, disguised as motorcyclists, have defied the ban imposed on the use of commercial motorcycles by the FCT administration and dared the FCT Ministerial Task Team on Traffic Management as they move in droves into the suburbs of the territory.

A large number of motorcyclists were sighted by SaharaReporters at various locations in the city operating unhindered. 

Such areas include Kubwa, Nyanya, Jabi, Apo, Durumi, Guzape, Mpape and Airport Road.

Many residents are now living in fear of the growing menace of the criminal activities of some of the operators who disguise and hide under the cover of commercial motorcyclists to perpetrate crimes.

There is also apprehension and fear that the ranks of these motorcyclists may have also been infiltrated by the Boko Haram, bandits and other criminal elements.

In Kubwa, robbers and kidnappers have operated in the last one week in Chikakore, Bizyahin, Shelter Farms and Gbazango areas. Residents lamented that the police were not present in most of the cases.

“We reported but the police made no arrest. None of these criminals has been picked up. They come at night with cutlasses, machetes and charms. A few of them brandish locally made guns. They are able to kill easily if you don’t let them rob you. Sometimes, they kidnap soft targets and later call you for ransom,” a resident around Liberty Junction lamented.

Away from Kubwa, only last Sunday near St. Mary Catholic Church along Nyanya-Karshi Road, some motorcyclists stormed the area, protesting against the alleged killing of their colleagues and theft of their motorcycles.

The incident which resorted into violence caused tension and anxiety in the area as residents scampered for safety.

This happened barely a few days after a truckload of over 200 unidentified men suspected to be bandits allegedly arrived at Sabon Wuse area of Niger State, a border town with Bwari Area Council in FCT.

The report has heightened tension and sent shivers down the spines of the residents, forcing many of them to relocate for fear of being kidnapped or attacked.

A resident who identified himself as Andrew Chibike described the development as worrisome. 

According to him, it must be given due attention considering the volatile nature of the country.

“We are surprised to see that the commercial motorcycles have resurfaced and they are very rude and daring this time around. The security agents have to do more and chase them out of the town because of the things that are happening all over the country,” he said.

The motorcyclists approached declined to comment when prodded to speak on their return.

Meanwhile, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bala Ciroma in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Mariam, assured residents of their safety ahead of Sallah celebrations just as he enjoined residents to report all suspicious movements to security agents.

To many residents of the FCT, however, their trust in the police to curb criminality has dwindled as the criminals appear to have overwhelmed the security architecture.

Insecurity News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2YqgDv6

The Peoples Democratic Party has said bandits invaded the Presidential Villa because President Muhammadu Buhari lacks the capacity to secure Nigeria.

The major opposition party described Buhari as “an absentee President who has not demonstrated the required capacity expected of his office.”

Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman, had earlier revealed that some unknown gunmen attempted to break into the office of Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari.

Shehu, however, said the alleged attack was unsuccessful.

But reacting to the development in a series of tweets, PDP marvelled at the laxity of security around the State House.

The major opposition party said it “is alarmed by the invasion of Aso Presidential Villa by bandits and armed robbers,” adding that “the development further points to the collapse of security command structure under President @MBuhari’s incompetent watch.”

“The party says that the reported bandit assault on the residence of the Chief of Staff to Mr President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, within the precinct of the Presidential Villa, is too close to home and has heightened apprehensions over the capacity of @MBuhari Presidency to secure the nation.

“All over the world, the Presidential Villa, as the seat of power and national sovereignty, is the fortress of the nation that ought to have impregnable security.

“As such, any breach of security, particularly by outlaws and in sequence, sends a clear danger signal to the overall security of the nation.

“It is imperative to state that such security infraction, that gave way for outlaws to invade the Presidential Villa in sequence, in spite of its perceptibly secured ambience, can only happen under an absentee President, who has not demonstrated the required capacity expected of his office.”

The party urged Buhari to sit up to his responsibilities of ensuring the protection of lives and property of Nigerians.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The Peoples Democratic Party has said bandits invaded the Presidential Villa because President Muhammadu Buhari lacks the capacity to secure Nigeria.

The major opposition party described Buhari as “an absentee President who has not demonstrated the required capacity expected of his office.”

Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman, had earlier revealed that some unknown gunmen attempted to break into the office of Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari.

Shehu, however, said the alleged attack was unsuccessful.

But reacting to the development in a series of tweets, PDP marvelled at the laxity of security around the State House.

The major opposition party said it “is alarmed by the invasion of Aso Presidential Villa by bandits and armed robbers,” adding that “the development further points to the collapse of security command structure under President @MBuhari’s incompetent watch.”

“The party says that the reported bandit assault on the residence of the Chief of Staff to Mr President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, within the precinct of the Presidential Villa, is too close to home and has heightened apprehensions over the capacity of @MBuhari Presidency to secure the nation.

“All over the world, the Presidential Villa, as the seat of power and national sovereignty, is the fortress of the nation that ought to have impregnable security.

“As such, any breach of security, particularly by outlaws and in sequence, sends a clear danger signal to the overall security of the nation.

“It is imperative to state that such security infraction, that gave way for outlaws to invade the Presidential Villa in sequence, in spite of its perceptibly secured ambience, can only happen under an absentee President, who has not demonstrated the required capacity expected of his office.”

The party urged Buhari to sit up to his responsibilities of ensuring the protection of lives and property of Nigerians.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2VbniXf

The Peoples Democratic Party has said bandits invaded the Presidential Villa because President Muhammadu Buhari lacks the capacity to secure Nigeria.

The major opposition party described Buhari as “an absentee President who has not demonstrated the required capacity expected of his office.”

Garba Shehu, the presidential spokesman, had earlier revealed that some unknown gunmen attempted to break into the office of Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Ibrahim Gambari.

Shehu, however, said the alleged attack was unsuccessful.

But reacting to the development in a series of tweets, PDP marvelled at the laxity of security around the State House.

The major opposition party said it “is alarmed by the invasion of Aso Presidential Villa by bandits and armed robbers,” adding that “the development further points to the collapse of security command structure under President @MBuhari’s incompetent watch.”

“The party says that the reported bandit assault on the residence of the Chief of Staff to Mr President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, within the precinct of the Presidential Villa, is too close to home and has heightened apprehensions over the capacity of @MBuhari Presidency to secure the nation.

“All over the world, the Presidential Villa, as the seat of power and national sovereignty, is the fortress of the nation that ought to have impregnable security.

“As such, any breach of security, particularly by outlaws and in sequence, sends a clear danger signal to the overall security of the nation.

“It is imperative to state that such security infraction, that gave way for outlaws to invade the Presidential Villa in sequence, in spite of its perceptibly secured ambience, can only happen under an absentee President, who has not demonstrated the required capacity expected of his office.”

The party urged Buhari to sit up to his responsibilities of ensuring the protection of lives and property of Nigerians.

Politics News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2VbniXf

The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has warned security agencies against extrajudicial killing and harassment of innocent Nigerians in the course of fishing out those responsible for the killing of security personnel and attacks on security formations in the South-East and South-South.

There have been multiple attacks on security formations and security personnel in the South-East, while Akwa- Ibom and Rivers States have been affected in the South-South.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday during a Security Council meeting approved new security measures for the two regions.  

The NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje, in a statement titled ‘The Growing Tempest in East & South,’ said it is important “that the security services do not engage in presumption group-blame, collective punishment, and extrajudicial killings in the course of investigating these crimes”.

Owoaje pointed out that such “unbridled illegalities and high-handedness will only go to further alienate local communities, and deepen the antipathy that already characterises the relationship between them and law enforcement agencies.”

The Association, while strongly condemning the attacks and killing of security personnel, condoled with the families that lost loved ones and urged the government to do everything within the confines of the law to get the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

According to him, NAS is disturbed that the insecurity in the two regions has further exacerbated the deteriorating security situation in the country.

Owoaje called on the government to move swiftly, and with unaccustomed competence and diligence, arrest the current climate of insecurity across the two regions.

The statement read in part, “This gradual slide into anarchy in the South-East and South-South regions has the potential to expand the number of ungoverned spaces in Nigeria, further stretch our security apparatus, and engender devastating social and economic consequences for the country as a whole.

“We urge the security agencies in the two regions to resist the temptation of seeing themselves as a force of occupation out to subjugate the people and unleash terror among the teeming law-abiding citizens. They should approach their task with a sincerity of purpose, and rein in the criminal elements intent on foisting terror and bloodletting. Evidence abounds of previous overzealous interventions by security agencies which have aggravated insecurity in the two regions rather than contain the same. Unprofessional conduct and prejudice from those entrusted with such operations

must not be tolerated.

“The government and security agencies have a constitutional duty to protect the lives and property of the peace-loving residents of the two regions from harm. "No innocent Nigerian should be harassed, intimidated, or made to suffer under any guise of combing for suspected criminal elements in the South-East and South-South regions.”

Insurgency News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
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The National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity) has warned security agencies against extrajudicial killing and harassment of innocent Nigerians in the course of fishing out those responsible for the killing of security personnel and attacks on security formations in the South-East and South-South.

There have been multiple attacks on security formations and security personnel in the South-East, while Akwa- Ibom and Rivers States have been affected in the South-South.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday during a Security Council meeting approved new security measures for the two regions.  

The NAS Capoon, Mr Abiola Owoaje, in a statement titled ‘The Growing Tempest in East & South,’ said it is important “that the security services do not engage in presumption group-blame, collective punishment, and extrajudicial killings in the course of investigating these crimes”.

Owoaje pointed out that such “unbridled illegalities and high-handedness will only go to further alienate local communities, and deepen the antipathy that already characterises the relationship between them and law enforcement agencies.”

The Association, while strongly condemning the attacks and killing of security personnel, condoled with the families that lost loved ones and urged the government to do everything within the confines of the law to get the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

According to him, NAS is disturbed that the insecurity in the two regions has further exacerbated the deteriorating security situation in the country.

Owoaje called on the government to move swiftly, and with unaccustomed competence and diligence, arrest the current climate of insecurity across the two regions.

The statement read in part, “This gradual slide into anarchy in the South-East and South-South regions has the potential to expand the number of ungoverned spaces in Nigeria, further stretch our security apparatus, and engender devastating social and economic consequences for the country as a whole.

“We urge the security agencies in the two regions to resist the temptation of seeing themselves as a force of occupation out to subjugate the people and unleash terror among the teeming law-abiding citizens. They should approach their task with a sincerity of purpose, and rein in the criminal elements intent on foisting terror and bloodletting. Evidence abounds of previous overzealous interventions by security agencies which have aggravated insecurity in the two regions rather than contain the same. Unprofessional conduct and prejudice from those entrusted with such operations

must not be tolerated.

“The government and security agencies have a constitutional duty to protect the lives and property of the peace-loving residents of the two regions from harm. "No innocent Nigerian should be harassed, intimidated, or made to suffer under any guise of combing for suspected criminal elements in the South-East and South-South regions.”

Insurgency News AddThis :  Original Author :  SaharaReporters, New York Disable advertisements : 
https://ift.tt/2RPamYh