A musician, Roco Nnadiekwe, with a stage name Ja Rule, was on Sunday shot dead as gunmen and Nigerian Army personnel clashed in Orlu community in Imo State.

The musician, a 2007 graduate of Political Science from the Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Owerri, was said to have returned to his hometown from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last week and was supposed to shoot a video of his latest song (single) in Owerri, on Monday, before his death.

A popular musician in the state, Obinna Okoro, known as Acharaman, who is a friend of the 38-year-old entertainer confirmed the incident to Punch.

Mourning his colleague, Okoro said “Roco (Ja rule) is my brother and friend since our university days. His dream was to be successful in life through his music. After our graduation, Roco went to Port Harcourt in search of his family’s betterment.

“He returned to music three years ago and later we recorded a song which he featured me in his 1st single called “ONYE NA WAY YA.”

“Last week Roco returned home from Port Harcourt and said he was going to shoot the video of our song by tomorrow, being Monday. This afternoon, the Nigerian Army killed my Roco in his home town Orlu. Roco believes in Nigeria so much and today Nigeria has failed my friend. It’s hard to believe this.”

Another musician, Uche Ndum, popularly known as Tooblac, who is a friend of the victim said “The Nigerian Army has just killed my friend, Roco in Orlu. This is so disheartening. I lack words right now.”

The spokesperson for the police in the state, Micheal Abattam, had yet to respond to an inquiry concerning the murder incident.

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The Olukoyi of Ikoyi kingdom in Osun State, Oba Yisau Bamitale Otunla Kodaolu 1, is dead.

The traditional ruler died in the early hours of today, Tuesday, following a brief illness.

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He ruled for 35 years having ascended the throne in 1987.

Chairman, Isokan South LCDA, Wasiu Oyetunji Oyelami, confirmed the death of the monarch.

Another popular politician in the state, Asiwaju Lanre Oladebo wrote on social media, “My heart bleeds as I woke up to read the bad news of the passage of Oba Yisau Bamitale Otunla who was reported to have joined his ancestors today 19th of April, 2022.

“I was devastated to hear the sudden death of our royal father who lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation before joining his ancestors. Baba was seen to be a father for all and a great agent of progressiveness and epitome of development in Ikoyi Osun, Isokan local government and Osun State by extension.

“The roles and immense contributions of our royal father will be felt and his vacuum in the areas of bringing the transformation and innovative ideas towards the betterment of the society will be forever missed.

“At this trying time of mourning our royal father, I join the multitude of the people of Isokan local government to commiserate with the entire people of Ikoyi Osun, our party leaders, the relatives, friends, families and associates over the demise of Olukoyi of Ikoyi Kingdom, Oba Yisau Bamitale Otunla.

“May God Almighty in His infinite mercy give us the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of our great icon, forgive his shortcomings and make Aljanah fridous his eternal abode.”

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The management of Chrisland Schools, Lagos State, has reacted to the alleged rape saga of a 10-year-old pupil of the school during a trip to Dubai.

Pupils from the private school were in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to participate in the World School Games between March 10 and 13, 2022.

Recall that over the weekend, the alleged sex video of some students of the school surfaced online.

Also, the mother of the pupil had come online to seek the help of Nigerians as she alleged that a pregnancy test was conducted on her daughter.

She also claimed the video of the rape incident has been shared multiple times on social media.

She said she was not aware of what happened in Dubai till another parent showed her the video of the incident.

However, in a statement released by Akin Fadeyi, a member of the Advisory board of the school, the school authorities denied claims that it conducted a pregnancy test on the girl.

According to the school, only a COVID-19 test was conducted on all the students who embarked on the trip to Dubai.

The school also said out of the 77 students who represented the school at the event, only six were involved in the misconduct. It said they were involved in a Truth or Dare game which led to the condemnable act.

Also, reacting to allegations of negligence on their part, the school said while in Dubai, it ensured the students were kept in separate rooms, seven floors apart. It said boys were on the 4th floor of the hotel while the girls were lodged on the 11th floor.

The school said none of the students on its watch was raped. It mentioned some centres where the COVID-19 tests were carried out on the students and asked people to confirm their claims.

The statement reads: “We have followed up on reports making the rounds on certain developments bordering on the morals and ethics of some of the students under our care, who represented the school at the World School games, Dubai between 8 and 14 of March 2022.

“While we understand the emotions this has generated, we assure the public that our first approach as an institution was to assume parental roles by offering support to those involved and ensuring that nothing affected their senses of esteem.

“However, after a comprehensive evaluation of the situation, we cannot help but express how scandalised and distressed we feel as mothers, fathers and instructors with a relationship that holds a direct bearing on the development of those involved.

“Nonetheless, we took a critical view of the number of students who partook in this recent trip and who did the school proud in our quest to expand the horizons of our students holistically through global exposure, which takes into account a wholesome development of the mind, body and spirit through sporting engagements.

“Of the 76 children who represented Chrisland, 71 ensured adherence to our standards, abiding with laid down regulations and code of conduct, while doing us very proud in the process. Within these 71, we kept our girls on the 11th floor and boys on the 4th floor to draw clear lines that respect moral boundaries.

“We were, however, compelled to engage with the parents of the remaining students who unfortunately got themselves involved in misconduct, and in accordance with our code of conduct processes, which are well known to the parents, we meted out measured reprimands to them to instil a sense of discipline and as deterrence to others. This was also to caution our students on the need to remain on the path of resisting wrong influences.

“We are proud to reassure our stakeholders that no rape of anyone or the administration of a pregnancy test on any child took place on our watch.

”For emphasis, only a COVID post-travel test was conducted on the returning delegation of our students, in compliance with COVID-19 travel protocols, at the Life Centre Medical Services on March 21, 2022, at School Hall, Opebi.

”This was through the nose swab test as consistent with COVID-19 health protocols. We trust that this can be verified at the source provided. To insinuate that a pregnancy test was carried out on a student, for whatever reason, therefore, is a highly unfortunate conjecture.

“Nevertheless, our processes would be readily opened up for the scrutiny of regulators and stakeholders at the earliest indication of this, to enable the course of scientific or forensic inspections. We are certain this will lay to rest any shred of doubt or hazy optic that the present flurry of activities might have occasioned.”

 

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The presidency has said before the Super Tucano jets acquired from the United States can be deployed in the banditry-ravaged North West, the terms of agreement for the purchase of the aircraft need to be amended so that Nigeria will not be in the “black book” of the US.

North-West Nigeria comprises seven states; namely, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano and Jigawa states.

“The military is a trained military. The president is responsible. If he finishes now, we want him to go and rest in Kaduna or Daura; we don’t want him to go to the International Criminal Court; that is not the idea. We should allow the military to use their methodical process for dealing with these things, let them do it.

“When you are dealing with countries like America, you have to be sensitive to public opinion which is important to them as it is to us. Yes, it is clear when they sold the Super Tucano to the government of Nigeria. They were looking at the law.

“The law does not allow you to use weapons on targets they classify as civilians otherwise America will no longer sell weapons to you. Don’t forget that it took a buildup of years of rejection until President Buhari came in the scene and was able to establish credibility with America and they said they would sell.

“It is true that from the beginning, the Air Force could not use the aircraft in the North West and even after that, it took some time because these things also use precision type weapon. From my own understanding, these were not to be made available until March, we are just into April,” presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu told Trust TV.

On what the government is doing to rescue to the abducted Abuja-Kaduna train passengers, Shehu noted that the military has the capacity to bomb the enclave of the bandits if it wishes, but the determination to rescue them alive is preventing the government from engaging in any military actions.

He said the government was also making heavy investments in drone technology, stating that “quite a lot is being achieved with the drones.”

He said the Abuja-Kaduna train service was ready for resumption after the recent attack, “but with air protection by the Nigerian Air Force pending the time when the appropriate technology is acquired for the rail.”

The presidential spokesperson said the train operations were suspended in order not to be insensitive to the families of the victims.

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Indigenes, especially the youth, are said to be currently living in fears at Ikpide-Irri a riverine agrarian community, Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta state following the introduction of a crude way described as unlawful and unconstitutional of treating persons who allegedly committed theft, SaharaReporters has gathered.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, some Indigenes of the community who pleaded not to be mentioned, described the current way of dehumanising and treating indigenes who allegedly committed theft in the community as worrisome.

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It was gathered that, few weeks ago, a youth, simply identified as Onome, allegedly committed theft and was taken to the community's town hall where he was dehumanised, chained with a key to a window protector for three days until his family paid a fine and begged for his release.

SaharaReporters was also told that last week Thursday, another indigene, Diamond Agbolu, accused of theft was allegedly taken to the community's town hall by the leadership of the community and was chained with a key to a window protector for three days and at the moment the whereabouts of Diamond are not known.

A family member of Diamond, identified as Oghenemaro, allegedly that "Diamond, our son was accused of stealing and the leadership of the community, summoned him Thursday to pay a fine for stealing, an accusation our son said he was never part of. The community chairman and his cabinet, rather than following laid down rules in the community, took our son to the community town hall and chained him to a window protector from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon that our son's whereabouts are not known.” 

Oghenemaro who displayed the pictures of where their son was chained with key in the town hall for days stated that "The community leadership is fully in support of this kind of unlawful, unconstitutional and inhumane treatment, dehumanisation of Indigenes. We are calling on the community leadership to provide our son for us because we don't know if he has been killed.

“The community leadership is known for unlawful detention of indigenes who committed theft even if they are innocent. The leadership operates private cell in the community town hall. As we are talking, our son has not been seen or found and we don't know what has happened to him, so we are demanding from the community leadership to provide us our son."

Contacted as at the time of filling this report, the community secretary, Austin Agbaga, said he was not aware of the development as he was not based in the community even as he condemned the act saying, "This has never happened in our community before, we have laid down rules we applied in situations like this not be chaining people and lock them up for several days."

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Authorities of the Federal Capital Territory Administration have sealed off the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing located at Mabushi in Abuja, Daily Post reports.

The exercise, which is connected with its drive to recoup about N10billion owed the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) also affected the popular Murg plaza located just opposite the UTC Market, at Area 10, Garki, Merit House, and the Federal Character Commission, among others.

The exercise was carried out early Tuesday morning by heavily armed security personnel drawn from the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.

The Director of the Abuja Environment Protection Board (AEPB), Engineer Osilama Braimah, who doubles as Chairman of the Special Debt Taskforce, in company of the Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Monitoring Inspection and Enforcement, monitored the exercise.

Braimah said government ministries, departments and agencies were owing to the tune of N10billion and this, he said, was not acceptable.

He, however, hinted that some ministries were making frantic efforts to pay, while others showed signs of unwillingness to pay.

According to him, “The board got court orders to seal the premises.”

He said the exercise, which has just begun, will cover all public and private offices owing the board.

A senior magistrate court sitting in Wuse II, Abuja, had served the defendants with summons to appear before the court on March 30th, 2022, but they failed to honour the court.

“The debtors include: Federal Ministry of Works — N9,998,625.00; Federal Ministry of Defence –N17,220,775.00; Federal Character Commission—N10,128,906.25; Civil service Commission–2,451,649.50; and Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission—21,683,750.00.

“Others are Federal Ministry of Health —N14,204,843.75; Federal Ministry of Trade & Investment—N19,222,287.50; Federal Ministry of Education Hqtrs –N25,838,275 ; and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Wuse–N16,583,031.25”, he stressed.

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday hit back at a Catholic cleric, Matthew Kukah, over his Easter message where he accused the Buhari government of failure.

Shehu who made this known on his Twitter accused the cleric of hatred for the Buhari administration and using the pulpit to play politics.

Kukah during his Easter message had accused Buhari of destroying Nigeria and also alleged that the President was allowing corruption to fester.

“With everything literally broken down, our country has become one big emergency national hospital with full occupancy,” he said.

“Our individual hearts are broken. Our family dreams are broken. Homes are broken. Churches, Mosques, infrastructure are broken. Our educational system is broken. Our children’s lives and future are broken. Our politics is broken. Our economy is broken. Our energy system is broken. Our security system is broken. Our roads and rails are broken. Only corruption is alive and well.”

However, Shehu in his reply titled “Kukah's Virus Of Hate” said the cleric provided no evidence for his assertions.

He wrote; "As the nomination congress approaches, rumblings within the party rise to an acrimonious crescendo and the troubleshooting market blossoming in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is in desperate yearning for his tested skills, we are surprised - so too are many others - that the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, could still find the time for a lengthy homily on his usual target, Muhammadu Buhari, the President of Nigeria.

"For a man who has been spreading hate for decades, nothing new in the homily, except for the fact that while millions of Christians were remembering the Lord’s crucifixion on Friday, His descent on Saturday, His resurrection on Sunday, and subsequent appearance to his disciples, Bishop Matthew Kukah was playing politics.

"From his pulpit he devoted his Easter message not to Christ’s death and rebirth so Man might be saved – but to damning the government in the most un-Christian terms.

"Bishop Kukah neglects the Bible’s teachings in James 1:26: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless”.

"Easter should be a time for renewal, and for hope. For those in authority – both temporal and spiritual – to come together in word and deed so those who look to them for example can be inspired by their grace.

"This is not a time for religious leaders to play politics, or politicians to play religion. It is a time, as in Titus 3:9 to “avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless”.

"Yet Bishop Kukah used his sermon purposefully to make dissensions and quarrels about the law. His accusatory list against the government revealed only his hatred for them.

"Still, when he accused them of division, he gave no examples: merely assertions emanating from his own mouth. His allegation of ethnic and regional divide was innuendo without proof, and he gave none.

"His list of things he claims as broken – from churches to mosques to schools and motorways – belie all those that have been built, and others built anew during this government’s time in office.

"Should he feel compelled for whatever reason to criticise the government for what he views as their mistakes the Bible makes clear how it should be done: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness”, Galatians 6:1-2.

"If Bishops or religious leaders believe they have a willing audience for tales of government error or fragility, they do an injustice to their flock by filling their ears with talk of division and hateful thoughts.

"Nigeria knows too well Bishop Kukah’s views of the government. He has made quite clear how much he dislikes them from the day they were elected.

"Whether expressing his political views is a good use or an abuse of religious office is for others to decide. But the people of Nigeria have spoken – twice: They support this government at the ballot box. They have not been swayed by hateful talk from any bully-pulpit.

"We respectfully ask Bishop Kukah to leave government to the voters and the politicians they elect, while he concentrates on his job, as it is expressed in James 1:27: “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

"Or else, he should put away his clerical garb, join partisan politics and see how far he can go," he added.

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The abductors of six family members of the newly elected councillor representing Yangoji in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Idris Ibrahim, have refused to set their victims free despite collecting N2million ransom.

It was learnt that the victims had been in captivity for the past three weeks.

According to Daily Trust, a relative of the victims, said the victims, including two cousins of the councillor, were abducted in Yangoji village, and that the abductors earlier demanded N6million, but that after negotiations, they slashed the amount to N2million.

He stressed that the N2million was taken to the kidnappers last Thursday but that they refused to release the victims.

He explained that, “After paying the N2million, we were making arrangements to go with three motorcycles to pick them when the leader of the kidnappers called and accused one of us of inviting vigilantes to engage them.

“Despite our denying inviting the vigilantes, the kidnappers’ leader has refused to release the victims, saying until we bring an additional N3million.”

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Boko Haram

A soldier and one policeman were killed and an unspecified number of security operatives injured when militants of the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād, attacked the Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Molai, Borno State.

SaharaReporters learnt that the gunmen also carted away an ambulance and a military vehicle which was later abandoned near the community after it was razed down.

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Molai is located at the outskirt of Maiduguri, about 7 km away.

The insurgents were said to have invaded the town after iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan.

“They stated shooting sporadically as residents of the community flee into the forest for safety.

“Though a military base, it was manned by joint task force Operation Hadin Kai comprising of soldiers and mobile policemen.

“They shot and fired RPGs when they came, even some of the soldiers fled,” a military source said.

Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, have killed thousands and displaced millions in North-Eastern Nigeria.

The Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency had been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.

In the past months, soldiers have been targeted by the insurgents, who waylay them.

Hundreds of soldiers and officers have been reportedly killed since January 2022.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has lost no fewer than 9,836 smart card readers in over 42 attacks on its offices and staff in three years.

Also, more than 1,149 persons, including INEC employees and security officers were killed in the three elections held in 2011, 2015 and 2019. Ballot papers, cubicles and other materials were similarly destroyed, Punch reports.

Last Friday, an INEC worker identified as Anthony Nwokorie, was shot dead by gunmen while conducting the continuous voter registration in the Ihitte Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State.

A viral video showed the hoodlums forcing registrants to lie on the ground while destroying registration materials and vowing that elections would not hold in the South-East.

Following the violent assaults on its assets and staff, the electoral body has expressed fears over the 2023 elections, stating that there would be no results at polling units where violent incidents were orchestrated.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, Mike Igini, in an interview with Punch on Monday, warned that no return would be made where violence was deliberately precipitated to undermine the electoral process.

Describing the attacks on the commission as regrettable, the resident electoral commissioner assured Nigerians that the body was devising strategies to protect its offices, assets and personnel ahead of the 2023 general election.

Igini, a lawyer, said it was a disgrace that the political elite prepared for elections as if going to war, noting that the election period should be a time of stock-taking and Election Day, a day for renewing the journey of the country for a new direction.

 Responding to a question about what was being done to better protect INEC employees, assets, and voters, he said a risk assessment would be conducted to evaluate hazards and risks before the general election, including “mapping of persons of interests and so on,” by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee.

Igini stated, “There are things that will be done but much of it cannot be a matter for publication. However, it is important, if we must reassure the voting public for the commission to work with stakeholders to ensure that a speedy example is made with some people to convey the message to the public that there is zero tolerance for such hazards and that voters will not only be protected, but also seen to be protected.”

Asked if results in places that recorded violent incidents would be cancelled, the REC said, “There has to be an election first before talking of result cancellation. Where violence is orchestrated deliberately to undermine the process, there will be no return made and nothing to cancel.

“Cancellation of election results is a sensitive process that follows a step-wise statutory procedure of auditing because as I pointed out above, political actors may also foment violence for electoral purposes. If results are justifiably cancelled, it will be such as not to reward deliberately orchestrated electoral violence.”

On whether there would be special security arrangements for electoral officials during the 2023 polls, Igini said, “If necessary, yes; if the risk analysis requires special measures, they have to be in place for the affected area, otherwise, the commission will have to give notice as we have always done in the past that the conditions are not conducive.”

Investigations indicate that the electoral body had lost assets estimated at billions of naira to violence carried out by thugs and other hired hoodlums.

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The President of Omega Fire Ministries, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has claimed that the Igbo are the problem of Igbo and are always destroying one another.

Suleman in a sermon said the Igbos never support their own and would publicly disown one another.

Making reference to the struggle of Biafra, Suleman said if the nation was created, it would still be an Igbo man that would destroy it as they did not support one another.

He made reference to the emergence of an Igbo Senate President Evan Enwerem whom he said was removed by another Igbo man, Chuba Okadigbo who was also replaced by Anyim Pius Anyim.

Suleman opined that the problem of the Igbos were the Igbos.

He said, “Somebody from the South, somebody from the East. You betray your people. Look at this agitation for Biafra. Who are the people attacking Biafra most, Igbos? Shameless Igbos. Am I in support of Nigeria dividing? No. Am I in support of Nigeria separating? No. Do I believe we should be together? Yes. But even if you don't agree with the man who is your brother, should you say it publicly if you are not a fool? Can't you say it amongst your people?

“If today they get that Biafra, it is an Igbo man that will scatter it. That is the truth. During the time of the Senate, when an Igbo man became a senator, it was an Igbo man that removed him. You remember the Enwerem, Chuba Okadigbo, Pius Anyim...remember all of them? It was Igbo that was removing Igbos. That was the first and shortest Senate Presidency we have had in this country.

“An Igbo man employs an Igbo boy to sell in his shop, he will wreck him. He will carry all the man's money, he will buy land. He wouldn't wait to be settled. The problem of Igbo is Igbo. I repeat it, if you sell your brother, even the buyers will not trust you.”

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The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has stated that he towers above many persons aspiring to be Nigeria’s president by 2023.

Ngige, who is set to declare for presidency this week, asserted that not only members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, but even the opposition party members knew that he was much more qualified for the Presidency than many other aspirants.

This was made known by Ngige’s media office, in a statement on Monday, which said the Minister of Labour and Productivity stated this when he addressed his supporters at Amansea, a border town with Enugu State after visiting Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

The statement affirmed that Ngige gave his explanation for consulting opposition political parties when he addressed his supporters at Amansea, a border town with Enugu State after visiting Governor Ugwuanyi.

Already, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is in the race for 2023 presidency.

The media office stated also that Ngige’s standpoint was informed by his belief that his aspiration had a cross-party appeal.

“I visited Enugu State governor as part of my nation-wide consultation. Even though he is in PDP, he is an Igbo man. He is a very realistic, discerning person. Don’t forget also that Enugu is the capital of the former Eastern Region. And you know that respect is reciprocal.

“Over the week, I also consulted some other Nigerians not allied to any political party. Therefore, I had to consult the Enugu State governor over my intention to contest and to seek his views too.

“He told me to kick the ball into the net. So this journey is not for APC members alone. Our brothers in PDP are easily agreed that I tower above some of the persons aspiring to the position in their party.

“I have no fear whatsoever. I am equal to the task. Even our brothers in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) will join us in the task ahead,” Ngige was quoted as saying.

“I’m well equipped for the job. I plan to re-engineer Nigeria the way I re-engineered Anambra. April 19 is the date. Let all roads lead to Alor where the matter will be laid to rest,” Ngige quipped.

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Fatima Amma Indimi, whose brother is married to President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Zahra, and who is daughter of Maiduguri billionaire, Alhaji Mohammed Indimi, has called on the Nigerian government to secure the North and rescue the kidnapped Abuja-Kaduna train passengers.

Taking to Instagram on Monday, April 18, the entrepreneur described the train attack which claimed more than eight lives and left 26 other travellers injured, as heartbreaking, embarrassing and barbaric. 

 “I’m scared of opening this app. Terror after terror. The fact that I tried to stay away from Instagram for the purpose of cleansing and bettering myself this Ramadan and found myself continuously engaging in mindless scrolling...then to realise that what will keep me away is seeing cruel, inhuman and barbaric behaviour back to back is alarming," she wrote.

“It's heartbreaking, disheartening. It's a shame. It's embarrassing. It's saddening. I am shaking. My heart cannot take it. If this is how I feel, I can't begin to fathom what the families that are deeply affected; are going through.

“It's truly a shame that there's nothing to do but pray...because regardless, prayer was going to be at the forefront. But that seemingly being the only solution is what breaks my heart."

The train attack occurred on March 28, leaving at least seven people dead and over 100 unaccounted for.

SaharaReporters last Tuesday reported how the families had issued a 72-hour ultimatum to ensure the release of their loved ones.

Some of the family members claimed they had spoken to the bandits. They claimed the bandits did not make any specific demands.

“The NRC should not be talking about restarting their services now when our people are in captive because what is the assurance that if they start services now that people that will be board the train are safe; what measure (s) have they put in place to guarantee the security of those that are going to patronise their services. We don’t want the re-occurrence of this.

“The first thing should be to get the captives out and then they can put adequate measures in place and resume service so that this does not happen again in the future,” one of the affected families had spoken in a joint statement.

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has prayed for the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi’s presidential ambition to come to fruition in 2023.
Amaechi, in his ongoing tour for royal blessings, visited the Ooni’s palace on Monday.

According to Ogunwusi, the minister should keep praying because power belongs to God.
The monarch also asked the APC presidential aspirant to be selfless, and to give his best even if it’s going to cost him everything he is.
“Power belongs to God, it’s not by your might, it’s not by your power, nor by your doing. In terms of leadership, it is God that gives power,” the monarch said.
“I know you are a fervent and hard believer of God Almighty, anything you do, you pray to God. Don’t relent, do not relent, keep praying to God.
“Leadership is stewardship. You’ve been to different leadership positions from different strata. In terms of governance, you’ve seen it all. But the one that you’re trying to aspire to now, by the very special grace of God, it’s God that will take you there.
“We are praying for you from the throne of Oduduwa. On this throne of our ancestors God will continue to guide you, God will continue to see you through, God will continue to favour you, honour you and put you through in everything you do.”

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has prayed for the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi’s presidential ambition to come to fruition in 2023.
Amaechi, in his ongoing tour for royal blessings, visited the Ooni’s palace on Monday.

According to Ogunwusi, the minister should keep praying because power belongs to God.
The monarch also asked the APC presidential aspirant to be selfless, and to give his best even if it’s going to cost him everything he is.
“Power belongs to God, it’s not by your might, it’s not by your power, nor by your doing. In terms of leadership, it is God that gives power,” the monarch said.
“I know you are a fervent and hard believer of God Almighty, anything you do, you pray to God. Don’t relent, do not relent, keep praying to God.
“Leadership is stewardship. You’ve been to different leadership positions from different strata. In terms of governance, you’ve seen it all. But the one that you’re trying to aspire to now, by the very special grace of God, it’s God that will take you there.
“We are praying for you from the throne of Oduduwa. On this throne of our ancestors God will continue to guide you, God will continue to see you through, God will continue to favour you, honour you and put you through in everything you do.”

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has prayed for the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi’s presidential ambition to come to fruition in 2023.
Amaechi, in his ongoing tour for royal blessings, visited the Ooni’s palace on Monday.

According to Ogunwusi, the minister should keep praying because power belongs to God.
The monarch also asked the APC presidential aspirant to be selfless, and to give his best even if it’s going to cost him everything he is.
“Power belongs to God, it’s not by your might, it’s not by your power, nor by your doing. In terms of leadership, it is God that gives power,” the monarch said.
“I know you are a fervent and hard believer of God Almighty, anything you do, you pray to God. Don’t relent, do not relent, keep praying to God.
“Leadership is stewardship. You’ve been to different leadership positions from different strata. In terms of governance, you’ve seen it all. But the one that you’re trying to aspire to now, by the very special grace of God, it’s God that will take you there.
“We are praying for you from the throne of Oduduwa. On this throne of our ancestors God will continue to guide you, God will continue to see you through, God will continue to favour you, honour you and put you through in everything you do.”

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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has prayed for the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi’s presidential ambition to come to fruition in 2023.
Amaechi, in his ongoing tour for royal blessings, visited the Ooni’s palace on Monday.

According to Ogunwusi, the minister should keep praying because power belongs to God.
The monarch also asked the APC presidential aspirant to be selfless, and to give his best even if it’s going to cost him everything he is.
“Power belongs to God, it’s not by your might, it’s not by your power, nor by your doing. In terms of leadership, it is God that gives power,” the monarch said.
“I know you are a fervent and hard believer of God Almighty, anything you do, you pray to God. Don’t relent, do not relent, keep praying to God.
“Leadership is stewardship. You’ve been to different leadership positions from different strata. In terms of governance, you’ve seen it all. But the one that you’re trying to aspire to now, by the very special grace of God, it’s God that will take you there.
“We are praying for you from the throne of Oduduwa. On this throne of our ancestors God will continue to guide you, God will continue to see you through, God will continue to favour you, honour you and put you through in everything you do.”

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Legal icon and elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola, has stated that an interim government should replace the current administration at the expiration of President Muhammadu Buhari tenure in 2023.
Afe Babalola who made this known in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday noted that the interim government should be in office for six months to chart a new course for Nigeria.

Babalola added that the 2023 elections should be suspended until Nigeria had “a new-look peoples’ Constitution which should provide for part-time legislators and non-executive president.”
He said members of the interim government should be drawn from all living former presidents and vice-presidents; some selected ministers and governors and delegates of prominent professional associations.
The professional associations could be the Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Academic Staff Union of Universities and Civil Society Organisations.
The elder statesman who pointed out that such delegates should be elected on zero party basis, said it was regrettable that the current 1999 Constitution, foisted on Nigerians by the military was no longer in tune with realities of the day.
“The same Constitution has made politics become not only very attractive, but the only lucrative business in Nigeria today. What this means is that any election that holds under the present scenario will end up producing transactional and recycled leaders, with no ability to turn things around,” he said.
Afe advised that the new Constitution which should be coordinated by the interim government, should spell out rules and regulations on improved qualifications of those contesting elections.
He added that the new Constitution should provide for part-time legislators and not full-time legislators, considering the attendant waste of resources.
“The new Constitution should also provide that there shall be no salary, but sitting allowances only for lawmakers. It should provide a true federal system of government, instead of the expensive presidential system of government. I suggest parliamentary system of government, with a unicameral legislature.
“The new Constitution should also provide a body at the local, state and federal levels to screen all aspirants on the sources of their wealth and means of livelihood, criminal record which includes pending suits.
"Any person that would become the president of Nigeria should not be older than 60 years of age and must have a varsity degree,” he said.

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A professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Joseph Opefeyitimi, who was accused of sexual molestation and battery of a student, has responded to the allegations.
A female student of the institution, Boluwatife Hannah had dragged Opefeyitimi before a university panel last month, claiming she was “violated” by the professor.

She said the professor sexually molested her during a visit to his office on March 18, 2022, a petition addressed to the school's Vice-Chancellor, Tope Ogunbodede, stated.
However, responding to the allegations, the Professor of Yoruba Incantations and Stylistics at the African Language Department, in a letter to the Department's head said the panel should dismiss the petition instituted by the affected student, Boluwatife Hannah as she was his fiancee of four years.
Opefeyitimi claimed whatever happened in his office was consensual and had been initiated by Hannah. He also said the allegations levelled against him by the female student were ”a ploy to escape marrying him”.
The don's letter dated March 26 reads: “I am Professor Joseph A. Opefeyitimi, sorry for replying a little late. I was not at home and instructed my family members to take the letters for me.
“Truly, Babafemi Boluwatife Hannah was in my office on Thursday the 17th March, 2022. All that happened in my office was consensual and she was the one that called for it. I never knew she had a grand master's plan for me. 
“I thought as husband and wife to be right from before she got admission into our department, I could leave her to treat me the way she wanted. I called her as a result of the situation in town because she lives there and she actually came to update me.
”There are too many lies in her write-ups. For instance, while paragraph three was true, paragraph four was self-contradictory. Again, her claim of indecent assault in paragraph eleven that I, “sexually assaulted, molested and violated” her between 1:23 pm she entered my office and the 2 pm I had to take my son from school, which I did, must be substantiated because it turned the whole allegation from civility, tending towards criminality. This is why I am involving a lawyer.
“I am suggesting by way of appeal that my lawyer be made to witness all proceedings relating to this case. In fact, I will be grateful if he could be made to sit if only as an observer at today's 12 noon Departmental panel.
“In summary, Boluwatife is my wife to be. She was responsible for all that happened in my office on that day. If after four years of dating, waiting to consummate our union, she suddenly turned around to be cleverly taking pictures of the body parts as evidence to indict me, I must not handle the case alone, since my wife at home is privy to our relationship. 
“Since our relationship was being planned towards marriage after her graduation, I already took my wife into confidence on in, even though the lady wants the relationship to be kept secret. It is now I can understand why she wanted the relationship kept secret and that she had never been sincere.
“I want the panels to discountenance and dismiss the petition. It is a ploy to escape marrying me despite her promise and all the assistance I have rendered to her including the awards she had taken within the period of her studentship.”






 

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Insurgents from the Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province formerly known as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād, are currently attacking the Forward Operational Base (FOB) in Molai, Borno State.
Molai is located at the outskirt of Maiduguri, about 7km away.

SaharaReporters gathered that the insurgents invaded the town after iftar, the meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan, shooting sporadically as residents of the community fled into the forest for safety.
According to sources, the terrorists who came in no fewer than 10 gun trucks are presently engaging the army formation in the community.
Boko Haram and its offshoot, Islamic State West Africa Province, have killed thousands and displaced millions in North-Eastern Nigeria.
The Nigerian military has repeatedly claimed that the insurgency had been largely defeated and frequently underplays any losses.
In the past months, soldiers have been targeted by the insurgents, who waylay them.
Hundreds of soldiers and officers have been reportedly killed since January 2022.
More details later

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