Hope Uzodinma

Governor Hope Uzodinma on Sunday disclosed that the killings in Orlu are being sponsored by wicked politicians.
 
The governor noted that investigations have revealed that most people killed and those whose homes were burnt were mostly members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hope Uzodinma

Uzodinma made this known on Easter Sunday at St. Rose of Lima Parish, Ozuh Omuma, Oru East Local Government Area of the state, saying the state was passing through a trying time.

He lamented the killing of innocent citizens and policemen, and the burning of property, including police stations.

According to him, there is no record that any member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was killed or made to suffer any loss of property as a result of the activities of the so-called ‘unknown gunmen’ in the state.

The governor, however, urged those behind the attacks to repent quickly “before government will come out in its full weight to go after them.”

"Those aiming at removing me as the governor of Imo State, using insecurity as a tool, should stop wasting their time because I am ordained by God to be the Governor of Imo State.
 
“They are challenging God. When you are after the creation of God, you are after God,” he said.

Uzodinma alleged that the people who looted Imo treasury years back were the same people sponsoring the killing of innocent persons in the state.

He described the killings as being beyond the involvement of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB).

“My government is not weak; my government is only God-fearing. The only thing is that we hate to shed blood. But we cannot allow the killing of innocent citizens and the activities of non-state actors in the form of criminals and hoodlums to overtake the political space.
 
“One thing I must assure you is that I will live up to the oath of office I took,” he said. 

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An aspirant for the Enugu State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections, Mr Akaolisa Ogbe, on hospital bed.

An aspirant for the Enugu State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections, Mr Akaolisa Ogbe, on Saturday reportedly escaped an assassination attempt.
 
The political atmosphere in the state is gradually becoming very tense with several reported attacks on perceived political opponents on the increase.

An aspirant for the Enugu State House of Assembly in the 2023 general elections, Mr Akaolisa Ogbe, on hospital bed.

On April 10, 2022, there were widely reported attacks on supposedly political opponents during a local government meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party in Aninri and Nsukka local government areas. The Aninri attack left Chinedu Okwu, a member of the state House Assembly seriously injured with a deep machete cut in the head.
 
However, an assassination attempt on Ogbe's life, a PDP aspirant for Enugu South, was the latest in a series of political attacks in the state recently.
 
An eyewitness, Mr Okeke Aruma, on Monday morning said the assailants who attacked Ogbe shot him several times at close range Saturday night.
 
Aruma described the attack as callous and insensitive, coming on during Easter period when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
 
He called on security agencies to do more in protecting the lives of Nigerians, warning that if the situation continued it would disenfranchise Nigerians in the 2023 elections.
 
Meanwhile, Ogbe Akaolisa National Support Group has confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Monday, signed by Chief Christian Ezude.
 
While thanking God for sparing the life of Ogbe, the group said politics should not be a do-or-die affair, adding that “we shouldn't burn everything down in our stake or quest for power".
 
The statement partly read, “We thank Him immensely for sparing the dear life of our brother, Mr Akaolisa Ogbe, a PDP State House of Assembly aspirant from Maryland Ward 13 Enugu South, a gentle and kind young man whose only crime was to have shown zeal and burning passion to serve and represent his people.
 
"He was attacked and shot on Saturday, 16th of April at Amechi.
 
"He expressed interest to vie and represent his people, Enugu South Rural in the Enugu House of Assembly elections coming up in 2023.
 
"Ever since picking the PDP intent form, he has embarked on consultations and courtesy visits to political stakeholders and wards of his people where he shone like a star he is. Expressing his good intentions of representing the people with undue simplicity and humility.
 
"Impressing the people, who saw in him; a man with a clean heart that simply wanted to serve. Expending his personal resources on this project without having any backing nor strong ties to any political Godfather."
 
It added, "Is this his crime or enough reasons to now be targeted for assassination.
 
"He was trailed in Gestapo style, blocked at a Petrol station and shot in point-blank range as he had just left the house of his uncle, a prominent stakeholder who had warmly received him.
 
"He had earlier consulted and visited meetings of several wards in his constituencies.
 
"But to the Glory of the Almighty, he miraculously survived.
 
"Ndi Enugu, is this the kind of politics we want? Ndi Enugu, are we going to burn everything down in our stake or quest for power?
 
"Must we shed the blood of our kinsmen; innocent men, women and children all in a bid to secure selfish interests?
 
"Because with this kind of thing happening, it means violence and bloodletting will come to an alarming height in a build-up to the polls.
 
"With this, we call on the Government to quickly intervene and put a stop to this dangerous menace from rearing its ugly head in Enugu, a known peace-loving state where he the Governor has invested and done so much in terms of security.
 
"We also call on our beloved brothers of Enugu state, let us be our brother’s keeper, let us show love to one another.
 
"Politics is not a do or die affair. Let us shun violence, but rather seek bridges to fill in gaps in local and Urban development."
 
Meanwhile, efforts to get the police’s reaction were unsuccessful as the command's spokesman Daniel Ndukwe, had not replied to a text message at the time of filing this report.

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The Presidency says there is ongoing re-equipment and reorganisation of the security and intelligence forces.
 
The Northern part of the country has been reeling under serious terrorism and bandit attacks which have taken a turn for the worse.

There have been daily attacks, including kidnapping for ransom, insurgency, killings and incessant farmer-herder clashes.
 
In a renewed wave of terror, terrorists on March 26 attacked facilities at the Kaduna Airport, killing an airport worker.

Two days later, terrorists blew up rail tracks on the Abuja-Kaduna route, killing eight passengers, injuring 41 people and abducting many.
 
During the weekend, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Kukah slammed the government for allegedly failing to halt the worsening security situation.
 
Describing the security system as “broken”, he accused the government of prioritising the integration of repentant terrorists over freeing kidnap victims.
 
The bishop likened Nigeria to a fully-occupied emergency unit in a hospital.
 
But the Presidency has appealed to the families of the train attack victims to be patient. It said efforts were on to rescue their loved ones.
 
According to The Nation, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu said that much was being done and that the result would soon be apparent.
 
On the Boko Haram/bandits’ alliance and the impression that the security agencies had failed to carry out President Muhammadu Buhari’s orders, Shehu said the current security crisis was a recent development.
 
Quoting the international terrorism index, he said the Northeast security crisis, which the administration inherited, had been degraded by 90 per cent.
 
“This is why the military – the defence establishment, is re-strategising. They are reorganising with new technologies.
 
“We are hoping that in the coming weeks, people will see the real difference. We’re hoping incidents, such as the rail bombing, will never again happen,” Shehu said.
 
The Presidency appealed to families of those taken hostage from the train attack to be patient as the government works to secure their freedom.
 
Shehu said, “Relatives of those taken as hostages by the terrorists, speaking during a media briefing in Kaduna on Friday, had told Federal Government not to resume the Abuja-Kaduna train service until those being held had been set free from captivity.
 
“Government has already fixed the rail tracks. They’ve been tested and ready to resume train service. However, there is also concern about family members who are holding up this process and they insist that their family members must be brought home from the bandits before the service is restored.
 
“You can understand the emotion, and the government doesn’t want to appear to be insensitive. But again, by stopping this rail service, you’re also in a way exposing other families who have not been so affected by other dangers.
 
“There must be a meeting point and I’m sure that the security and intelligence community, with the police, will be able to work with the family members to reassure them that they will not be abandoned and that their family members will not be abandoned to their fate.”
 
The presidential spokesman explained why such rescue operations may take time.
 
“If the idea is to just bomb out everyone – the bandits, the terrorists and their captives, this can be done in a day. But this is a rescue operation and rescue will only be successful when you bring people out alive and well.
 
“If they are brought back in body bags, what’s the purpose? The family members should please bear with the administration as it works to ensure that the people who are trained to deal with this situation, give the direction on what to do,” Shehu said.

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Chrisland School, Lagos has been accused of covering up the alleged rape of a 10-year-old female pupil.
 
It was gathered that the female student participated in a “truth-or-dare” game in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) alongside others while representing the school in the World School Games between March 10 and 13, 2022 in Dubai.

According to Nigerian music executive, Ubi Franklin in a tweet on Sunday, the girl was raped by her fellow students, videotaped and the recording shared on Instagram.
 
Franklin, who however did not name the affected school, stated that the school covered up the incident for a month until the victim’s parents found out on their own.
 
“Just got off the phone with a friend of mine. His 10-year-old daughter was selected to represent her school at the World School Games in Dubai. His daughter was raped by fellow students, videotaped and posted on Instagram and the school concealed it for a month.
 
“He found out on his own when another parent called his wife and showed his wife the video of his 10-year-old daughter being circulated on Instagram.
 
“I have spent the last 1 hour listening to confessional statements by some teachers and I am begging this should rather be a dream,” Ubi Franklin tweeted.
 
In an update. Ubi Franklin noted that the school has since suspended the girl.
 
“UPDATE ON MY PREVIOUS POST.

“This school took the girl from her parents that they wanted to conduct a Covid test and the school rather took the girl for a pregnancy test.
 
“As we speak the girl has been SUSPENDED from the school. Some things don’t make sense at all.”
 
However, Chrisland School authorities in a letter dated April 14, 2022, to the girl’s parent said she was the ringleader of the truth-or-dare game held in Dubai.
 
“In line with our core values centred on discipline, Chrisland Schools have zero tolerance for any improper behaviour and misconduct,” the school said in a letter signed by its principal Georgia Azike.
 
The school disclosed that other schoolmates who took part in the game had been suspended, adding that the girl and her parents did not cooperate during its investigation.
 
“Consequently, [name redacted) is hereby placed on indefinite suspension until you as the parents ensure that she is punished, adequately counselled and rehabilitated,” the school said.

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Owei Lakemfa

We were young, eager youths, mostly teenagers, crossing from secondary schools into the tertiary institutions. In fact some, like me, were leaving home for the first time. It was the tail end of 1978.

 

We were not just the first set of students to be admitted through the Joint Admission Matriculation Board, JAMB, which made us ‘Jambites’ but also the pioneer students of the Dramatic Arts Department of the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University.

Owei Lakemfa

We gathered for our first lecture, excited to learn and feel what a university is like. Then bounced in a charming, smartly dressed man, our lecturer. He introduced himself as Yemi Ogunbiyi; although he looked young, we knew he already had a Ph.D from the United States safely tucked under his belt.

 

He asked the class who had read Frantz Fanon’s Wretched of the Earth? None. He asked who had read any book by Fanon. None. He seemed enraged, how can we be undergraduates in a Nigerian university and had not read Fanon? Well, he was not in Ife to teach toddlers. With that, he walked out.

 

We scrambled out of the class to search for copies of Fanon’s books in the bookshop, the library and begged older students.

 

By next class with Ogunbiyi, we had not only read, The Wretched of the Earth, but it had opened our eyes to the struggles of oppressed peoples; we were on our way to being big boys.

 

Ogunbiyi had some resemblance with Richard Roundtree, the central character in the hugely successful Shaft film series. So we nicknamed him ‘Shaft’.

 

We had fantastic lecturers like Femi Euba, Segun Akinbola; our Mama, Carol Dowes, Dr Kole Omotosho, Olu Akomolafe and the colourful Sunbo Marinho from Ibadan. However, for us, aside our famous Head of Department, Professor Wole Soyinka, Ogunbiyi was the star of the department; he was quite brilliant, articulate, patient and approachable.

 

He was like an uncle you could confide in. These put him in good stead when in 1981, the university was on the boil following the police murder of six students, including two from outside Ife.

 

The students were all for a bloody revenge, so the school authorities who were clearly losing control, approached Ogunbiyi to speak at the chaotic students rally, calm them down and if possible, persuade them to allow a peaceful closure of the institution.

 

We were so fully moulded in the Drama Department that other departments, like Literature, where we took elective courses, started seeing the drama boys and girls as coming to terrorise them as we took on lecturers and turned classes and tutorials into debating centres. When we went to the first Nigeria University Theatre Arts Festival held at the University of Ibadan, the lecturers complained to Professor Soyinka and Dr Ogunbiyi that though we were brilliant, but we were fearless and rude.

 

But things were not always smooth. In my third year, there were differences between the department and some student journals which attracted a lot of negative publicity for the former One morning Dr Ogunbiyi called me and said: “Owei, Prof wants a truce.” I asked him what that has got to do with me, and that he might be putting me in trouble.

 

He said he had told Prof Soyinka I could end the crisis. Cornered, I said feebly I was in no position to do so but could assist. “Do you know Dapo Sir?” “Olorunyomi?” “Yes Sir. He is in Room 247, Fajuyi. He can ensure the truce.”

 

On another occasion, somebody told me in confidence that Dr. Ogunbiyi was upset with me over a matter trending on campus. I had nothing to do with it, but I didn’t know whether he would believe me. So I went to his closest friend on campus, Dr Biodun Jeyifo, fondly called BJ, to say I was in trouble with Dr Ogunbiyi. He said: “If you are sure of what you are telling me, let’s go to Yemi.”

 

BJ barged into Ogunbiyi’s office and said: “Yemi, what is this thing about you and Owei?” He asked me to repeat what I told him. Ogunbiyi replied he had thought I was behind the controversy, but on second thoughts, concluded I was more intelligent than to engage in such nonsense.

 

In my final year, Ogunbiyi hinted the class that a new newspaper that would change the face of journalism in the country was in the offing. Since he had some of the brightest students in the country, he would want some of us on graduation to join the publication.

 

I thought nothing about it. But when in 1983, I completed the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, in Kano, I decided to remain with the Civil Service Technical Workers Union, CSTWUN, now Amalgamated Union which had offered me a job in Lagos.

 

By this time, the Guardian Newspapers had hit the streets as a weekly. While I waited for the union’s employment letter, I decided to visit Ogunbiyi at the newspapers where he was a director. He asked me if I was averse to working in the newspaper. I said no, and he asked me to return in two days.

 

When I did, I was asked to see the Managing Director, Dr. Stanley Macebuh. When I told him, I was from Ogunbiyi, he asked: “Are you Owei something?” I nodded and he said: “What hold do you have on Dr Ogunbiyi? He came to me two days ago and said there is somebody we must hire. That you are going to add value to the Guardian. What can you do for us?”

 

I told him I was a labour expert and well versed in the student movement. Macebuh sent me downstairs to meet Assistant Editor Lade Bonuola to be tested in Labour Reporting. Within months, I was one of the journalists being celebrated by the Guardian as the rising stars in journalism.

 

Within months I was elected Chairman of the Guardian Newspapers Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, and heading towards a confrontation with the management. Ogunbiyi, a very wise man who could see far, called to advise me on alternative grievance procedure at the work place. But I was past hearing and was soon sacked with 16 others. Despite this and my stubbornness, Ogunbiyi continued to watch over me like a mother hen.

 

In April 2019, the graduates of that 1982 UNIFE Dramatic Arts Department held its first reunion in Lagos. Our special guest of honour was Ogunbiyi. We were happy to receive a man who applied fertilizer to our intellectual roots. That I am today a veteran journalist and syndicated columnist is due to the engineering of Ogunbiyi. But I have never thanked him. I do so publicly now as he turned 75 on April 13.

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Beach Hotel Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania, aka Warere Beach reacted to the allegation of sexual assault on its facility, made by a Nigerian lady, Zainab Oladehinde.

Oladehinde, in a Twitter thread on Saturday, shared her horrific experience at the Beach Hotel Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania.

She said she was sexually assaulted by a stranger despite having locked the door to her hotel room.

According to her, she was almost raped by the stranger. She narrated that she escaped because she lied that she was HIV positive, a move that stopped the attacker from penetrating her.

However, Warere Beach, in a post on Facebook on Sunday, said it provided support for Oladehinde after the alleged incident, but that at a stage, she decided not to take the case further.

It said since the allegations were put online, its website had been hacked and it had received over 4,000 negative reviews on Google “from people who had never stayed at our hotel”.

In the statement, Warere Beach said, “We are saddened that we must post this. 

“Our Warere website was hacked, today 16 April 2022. Simultaneously, we were inundated by a massive release of defamatory reviews and messages through many different social media platforms regarding accusations of sexual assault at our property. Within 3 hours we received over 4,000 negative reviews on Google from people who had never stayed at our hotel.

“As a woman-owned and operated business, the Warere takes guest safety and the safety of single women travelers extremely seriously, as evidenced by 6 years of verified positive reviews from women all over the world. 

“We tried our best to support Ms Zainab Oladehinde as soon as we learned of the accusations. We immediately brought her to the police and offered her support. The case was brought before Government authorities in April 2021 when it occurred. The police report indicated that this was a personal case, and not negligence on the part of the Warere. 

“After passing by the Zanzibar Nungwi police, the District Commissioners Office, the Regional Commissioners Office and the office of the Second Vice President of the govt of Zanzibar, Ms. Zainab declined to take the case further. Ms Zainab Oladehinde was informed that the hotel would abide by damages rewarded by the court system of Zanzibar.

“We will continue to serve our guests from all corners of the world with the same level of hospitality and excellence that we have become known for throughout Zanzibar over the past six years.”

Meanwhile, SaharaReporters on Sunday reported that Zanzibar Commission for Tourism had reacted to the allegation of sexual assault made by Oladehinde, saying it had launched an investigation into the incident.

The Commission said it was shocked and disappointed to learn of the incident.
 
It, however, noted that an investigation had commenced into the incident, stating that it would not condone the ill-treatment of visitors.
 
The statement signed by Hafsa H. Mbamba, the Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism read, “On 16th April 2022, the Zanzibar Commission for Tourism has been made aware of a statement made on social media by Ms Zainab Oladehinde, a Nigerian national regarding an incident of assault, that is said to have taken place in April 2021 at Warere Hotel in Nungwi, Zanzibar.
 
“The Zanzibar Commission for Tourism is shocked and disappointed to learn of this incident and take these allegations very seriously. An immediate investigation has commenced and we will report its findings. We condemn any harm or threat to our visitors to the peaceful islands of Zanzibar.
 
“On behalf of the Ministry of Tourism & Heritage, we would like to inform our visitors that the Ministry abhors any ill-treatment of any persons on the isles as this is not the Zanzibari hospitality nor the treatment we want our visitors to receive.
 
“It is a regrettable incident we are following closely.”

Oladehinde’s Account
Oladehinde had posted on Twitter, “Around 12:00am, a few friends and family called to wish me a happy birthday and then I went back to my room to sleep. A few hours into my sleep, I started to feel a strange hand touching my breast.
 
“Now, this was me sleeping naked on my bed in my hotel room with my doors locked so this was definitely a dream.
 
"I told myself and went back to sleep a few minutes afterwards.
 
"I started to feel my hands stroking someone’s penis. At this moment, I opened my eyes to confirm if It was actually a dream or if I was in real danger.
 
"Lo and behold, it wasn’t a dream. There was a naked man lying on my bed and touching me at 2:00am in my hotel room!
 
“He started calling me “baby” and then I became scared cause the room was dark as I had switched off the lights before I went to bed. Now, I was extremely scared.
 
"I asked the man “who are you?” But all he kept saying was “baby, baby”. I asked in a louder tone this time around cause I was getting angry and then he quickly stuffed his hands over my mouth in an attempt to stop me from shouting.
 
"At this moment, I became very scared as I didn’t know who this was and why this person was in my room.”
 
She added: “So I continued begging him and telling him I’d allow him to have sex with me but he’d need to go get a condom so as not to get HIV.
 
"I saw that he reacted to the word “HIV” so I kept on saying HIV whilst crying profusely at this point.
 
"His belt fell off the bed so I got an instant feeling that this man came into my room fully clothed before removing his clothes right on my bed. He wore his shoes and came back to press my neck against the bed.”
 
While making efforts to nab the culprit, Oladehinde said she reported to the police but the complaint was dismissed after a medical report established that there was no penetration.
 
She also said the owner of the hotel put the blame on her and claimed that she was lying.
 
She wrote: "I got back to the police station and the policemen said they have no issue with the sexual assault since I wasn’t raped. That the only issue here was my stolen money.
 
"The policemen at the Nungwi Police Station in Zanzibar kept on bullying and harassing me. They told me to leave their police station that I wasn’t raped and they had confirmed there was no penetration from the nurses...
 
“The hotel has closed off its comment section on Instagram but I won’t stop till everyone boycotts this crazy hotel.

"The owner and manager said I lied about my experience."

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File photo used to illustrate story.

A bandit kingpin in Zamfara State, Nasanda has threatened to kill 900 people in exchange for the death of his wife, her aunt and uncle.
 
In a trending audio message, the terrorist said he was giving the Zamfara State government 14 days to pay him N30 million to avert the impending doom.

File photo used to illustrate story.

Nasanda had claimed that his bride and her uncle and aunt were killed by some vigilantes in the state — an act which he said was deliberate.
 
He alleged that the vigilantes knew that the victims were related to him. In the audio message, he said that he has been realistic and not greedy in asking for the N30 million compensation.
 
“If I were greedy, I would have asked for N50 million per person,” he said.
 
He added, “I’m not giving months, but 14 days, for my demands to be met. And we will not attack until when people are on their farms. If our Fulani people are not allowed to live in peace, we will also not allow others to live in peace.
 
“If the government can’t pay the money, I will do what I am used to. That is, I will take the life of 300 people to avenge the death of my bride and two of her relations. Yes, the lives of 900 will be in danger.”

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Oriaku Nmadu, the mother of the late gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, has disclosed the reason why her daughter refused to walk out of her marriage.
 
According to her, the husband, Peter Nwachukwu, alleged to be fond of physically assaulting Osinachi, deceived the family into allowing him to marry the gospel singer by claiming he was a pastor.

She said she never knew that the suspect was only a fake pastor as his conduct and attitude towards both the wife and her family betrayed his claims.
 
According to Osinachi’s mother, the son-in-law was so mean that he never allowed her to come for ‘omugwo’ (babysitting) when they had their four children.

Mrs Nmadu disclosed this while speaking with members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), who were on a condolence visit to her family.
According to her, her heart was bleeding as to how the devil used Osinachi’s husband to ruin her life.
 
“My daughter went through hell in the hands of Nwachukwu, my daughter had four children, I could not go for ‘omugwo’ (babysitting) for any of the children because her husband would not want to see any member of Osinachi’s family,” she said.
 
She recalled that there was a time she fell sick and after much pressure from Osinachi’s friends, he allowed her to come over to their home in Abuja. She said on one occasion after church service, Nwachukwu abandoned her and his wife and drove home with the children.
 
“That Sunday after church service, as we were waiting for Peter Nwachukwu, he came out and ordered his children into the car. He drove off leaving me and my daughter behind, I was shocked because it was a well-wisher that gave my daughter that car. Instead of Osinachi complaining, she rushed out to get a taxi that drove us home. When we got home, we saw him and the children.
 
“Another car a fan gave Osinachi for God’s work, Peter took the vehicle and started driving it. At every slight misunderstanding, he abandons his wife at any point and drives away. On one occasion, the children inside the car were saying bye-bye to their mother; he never allowed the wife to enjoy the fruit of her labour,” she said.
 
She said the children are now with one of her daughters while she appealed to NAWOJ to help her get justice.
 
“Osinachi believed in the biblical injunction that says marriage is for better or worse and that was why she endured the marriage thinking that Peter Nwachukwu would change but unfortunately my daughter died,” she added.
 
Osinachi’s death was announced a few days ago.
 
Some media reports initially said she died of cancer but minutes later, it was learnt that the singer died in the hospital after suffering from domestic violence from her husband.
 
Nwachukwu was alleged to have kicked Osinachi in the chest, leading to a blood clot that eventually killed her.
 
Singer, Frank Edwards, also disclosed that an “unreasonable human” put an end to her life.
 
There are reports that Osinachi refused to leave the marriage despite domestic violence because of her commitment to the church.

Recently, the arrest of Nwachukwu by operatives of the FCT Police Command was made public. He has however been transferred to the homicide department for further investigation.
 
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police Force said it would charge Osinachi's husband to court for culpable homicide over the death of his wife.

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The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, Olawale Martins, has again decried the security challenge in the country.
 
In his Easter message, the bishop queried the duty of the government when non-state actors have taken over power by making Nigerians pay taxes and other levies. Failure to make these payments, their lives are terminated.

He said, “Does it not surprise you that the government has abdicated its responsibilities to protect the lives and property of the people? Non-state actors, such as terrorists, bandits and kidnappers are successfully enforcing payment of taxes and levies on innocent and struggling Nigerians when the government cannot even make people pay taxes.
 
“Life has become so short and brutish that no one is sure who is the next victim. Hunger has taken over the land because people cannot go to farms anymore and the government is displaying helplessness in protecting the people. However, in the midst of this despair, there is hope that God will reverse the situation for us all.”
 
Archbishop Martins wondered why the government exists when it cannot protect the lives of Nigerians.

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A presidential aspirant of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore on Sunday said he would turn Nigeria into a huge construction site by building over five million houses.

This, in turn, he said, would provide jobs for many unemployed youths within four years.

He said his government would develop electricity using the solar system in such a way that it would provide employment for millions of Nigerian graduates in the North.
 
He revealed this during a visit to the Pegi and Jikwoyi communities in Abuja to engage with members of the party on Sunday.
 
He was received by a large crowd in the two communities who had gathered in anticipation of his arrival.
 
He said the Northern region of the county alone can produce electricity that would serve half of the country using solar power.
 
He said the establishment of ranches in some states in the North for herdsmen would provide employment and end unrelenting massacres and displacement of farming communities by armed herdsmen.

"Nigeria needs to be put to work. Nigeria needs to industrialise. Nigeria cannot industrialise if you don't have electricity. That is the basic minimum of industrialisation, there must be power.
 
"Another basic minimum for industrialisation, progress and development is security.
 
"Who is going to bring his company to Nigeria when bandits can stop a train, kidnap everyone and kill whoever they want to kill.
 
"We will turn Nigeria into a construction site. We are building over five million houses in four years. We are developing the electricity sector in a way that will employ millions in the North.
 
"The North can provide electricity that can take care of half of Nigeria if we use solar power.
 
"Sun will provide electricity that will help the entire North. To build solar power farm that would raise enough electricity to help, you will have to employ over two million people."
 
Sowore faulted Northern Elders Forum for calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to resign, noting that they were warned that Buhari should not have been voted into office in 2019.
 
"We saw the future when we protested against Buhari in 2021. In 2022, Northern Elders Forum just woke up three days ago, they said Buhari should resign. We told them that Buhari should not have been allowed to come in 2019.”
 
"We still have a long way to go with Buhari and that is why we have come to you that this is decision-taking time. Don't take it for granted,” Sowore added.

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Security operatives on Sunday engaged some unknown gunmen in a shootout in some parts of Orlu and Orsu local government areas of Imo state.

SaharaReporters learnt that the security operatives also burnt a number of houses in the affected communities. A popular brothel, Ukwu Aki in Amaifeke Orlu, was allegedly burnt by security operatives.

It was learnt that the shooting started from Banana junction before spreading to other areas. Other affected areas were Amanachi, Awo-idemili in the Orsu Local Government Area of the state.

Many were feared killed in the gun battle with an unspecified number of persons also injured.

Residents alleged that the security operatives attacked people in their homes.

Meanwhile, #OrluIsBleeding has been trending on Nigerian Twitter, with many tweeps saying they need to draw the attention of the world to what is going on Orlu.

In a post on Twitter, on Sunday, I H I E C H I U K W U  (@IHECHI__E) said, “This is how Easter went today 17/04/22 in Orlu. The Nigerian soldiers came to the streets in Amaifeke in Orlu & started shooting innocent people down without provocation.

“This genocide has been going on for over 1yr. People have deserted their homes.”

#OrluGenocide. This is how Easter went today 17/04/22 in Orlu. The Nigerian soldiers came to the streets in Amaifeke in Orlu & started shooting innocent people down without provocation.

This genocide has been going on for over 1yr. People have deserted their homes.#Thread. pic.twitter.com/eLY96m1C2S

— I H I E C H I U K W U 🌅 (@IHECHI__E) April 17, 2022

Elochukwu Ohagi (@ElochukwuOhagi) also said on Twitter, “We must create awareness of the continuous massacre of our people in Orlu by Nigerịa forces.

“We must raise our voice to the carnage happening in Orlu. Nigerịa government have no right to kịll innocent people in their homes.”

Emmanuedl John (@EmmanuelIgweb12) said, “Today being Easter Sunday, the indigenes of Orlu in imo state celebrated their own Easter with tears as the Nigeria military, Joint force unleashed mayhem on them earlier today. Their houses and properties was burnt, many lives lost, many injured.”

Today being Easter Sunday, the indigenes of Orlu in imo state celebrated their own Easter with tears as the Nigeria military, Joint force unleashed mayhem on them earlier today. Their houses and properties was burnt, many lives lost, many injured.#OrluIsBleeding#StoptheKillings pic.twitter.com/tDvM9IBcST

— Emmanuel John (@EmmanuelIgweb12) April 17, 2022

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The police in Mumbai, India have arrested a Nigerian man identified as Oliver Diba Nikki with hard drugs worth Rs 30.20 lakh (N16.4 million).
Nikki, according to a report by the Times of India, was arrested in Andheri West in Mumbai with 200 grammes of mephedrone and 34 grammes of cocaine.

The 42-year-old Nigerian, police sources said was arrested on Friday evening from a bus stop near Azad Nagar metro station by the Marol unit of the Anti-Narcotics Cell.
"He has told us he was released in December 2021 in an NDPS Act case and had gone back to drug peddling. We seized 200 grammes of mephedrone and 34 grammes of cocaine cumulatively valued at Rs 30.20 lakh from him," the policeman added. 

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Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro have cried out to security agencies to save them from the constant attacks, torture and harassment by armed robbers. 
A student leader told SaharaReporters that the students are unable to sleep as armed robbers launch attacks on the hostels and lodges every night. 

Some of the students said the armed robbers are so vicious that they not only break doors but also remove window burglaries. 
After stealing their property, they also shoot at students and cut them with machetes. 
SaharaReporters obtained photos and videos of a student who sustained an injury in the right eye after the armed robbers shot at him. 
A student of the school told SaharaReporters, “We are not safe in this place. The armed robbers remove burglary, they will steal our valuables and they will still insist on killing someone. Everyone is afraid.”
Meanwhile, the students' leaders have already invited the police in the area to intervene in the security challenge but this has yet to stop the operations of the armed robbers. 
“We had planned a protest for April 14 but the police came around and the rector also asked that we hold on but the armed robbers attacked at midnight, students are seriously agitating,” the student added. 

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Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro have cried out to security agencies to save them from the constant attacks, torture and harassment by armed robbers. 
A student leader told SaharaReporters that the students are unable to sleep as armed robbers launch attacks on the hostels and lodges every night. 

Some of the students said the armed robbers are so vicious that they not only break doors but also remove window burglaries. 
After stealing their property, they also shoot at students and cut them with machetes. 
SaharaReporters obtained photos and videos of a student who sustained an injury in the right eye after the armed robbers shot at him. 
A student of the school told SaharaReporters, “We are not safe in this place. The armed robbers remove burglary, they will steal our valuables and they will still insist on killing someone. Everyone is afraid.”
Meanwhile, the students' leaders have already invited the police in the area to intervene in the security challenge but this has yet to stop the operations of the armed robbers. 
“We had planned a protest for April 14 but the police came around and the rector also asked that we hold on but the armed robbers attacked at midnight, students are seriously agitating,” the student added. 

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The former Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid on Sunday said he had given conditions for reconciliation over the issue that led to his sacking at the mosque. 
Khalid said he would not withdraw any of his comments on the matter.

The cleric said he gave the conditions following the move by some prominent Nigerians who have intervened in the matter.
He disclosed this during a visit by human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore to his residence in Abuja.
Khalid said, "There are some people who are trying to beg me for reconciliation with the other party. They are begging me to stop any media discussion about that issue that they would resolve the problem and I gave them my word that I would stop any media interview on that issue until after Salah.
"Why I did that is because when you are moving with people, you have to be a democrat. Allow them to say their own minds and ideas.
"I know I have conditions for the reconciliation, one of the conditions is that I will not withdraw any word that I have said. The second condition is that no one would caution me on any issue I speak out for the people. If it is against the will of the government, they have security operatives. They know how to operate, let them come and arrest me.
"But you in the mosque as committee members or chairman you have no right to caution me. If it is against the tenet of Islam as it were, then summon the FCT committee of Imam to call me and ask me. Those are the conditions." 

  

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Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore on Sunday met with the former Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid in his residence in Abuja, commending him for identifying with poor Nigerians by speaking out for them.
He also called on other Nigerians and religious leaders to speak against bad governance, injustice and insecurity ravaging the country.

Khalid was sacked by the mosque's steering committee over a sermon that criticised the government’s failure to stop insecurity in the country.
The Imam said he paid the “price for the voiceless” and would continue to identify with the masses
Sowore commended the cleric for his courage and resilience in speaking the truth to power despite the intimidation and threats by Buhari's regime. He encouraged him not to give up or bow to pressure from the 'clueless' government in an attempt to silence him.
Sowore said, "We came here to thank you for the work you are doing. I had been hearing about you even before I was detained in 2019 because I have a friend who told me about one Imam and that If I listen to him I will like him. But before I could meet you I was arrested and detained.
"If they are not doing what they are doing to you, we would not have heard your message loud and clear. Because before then everybody said no Muslim was campaigning against Buhari.
"But you have been speaking the truth. Had they not gone to the mosque to eject you, we would not have heard the message. So many people are now listening to your messages as far back as five years ago.
"People thought you just started criticising Buhari till a few weeks ago. Whereas, there was an avalanche of warnings and prophetic teachings that you have been given about their incompetence loud and clear.
"So there is a purpose, there is a reason why they are stupid so that we can know people like you."
Sowore said it would be difficult to push out corrupt politicians who have destroyed the country until more people continue to speak the truth to power.
Sowore said his meeting with the Islamic scholar was not political but borne out of the love and interest he has for his teaching and his tenacity in the fight against oppression and injustice.
"The fantastic job you are doing in creating social consciousness, especially the way you sustain it at the time everybody is afraid to speak out against this unjust and incompetent system.
"Day in day out raising your voice telling people not to be afraid is very powerful and I am saying this not because I am in front of you.
"I receive your message and I have assigned somebody that anytime you have something new, send it and I review it. If it is in the middle of the night, I will review it and I will take the points that are important.
"I told him I would like to meet you one day and there is nothing political even though our lives are completely political," Sowore said.
In his response, the cleric thanked the activist for the solidarity visit, saying that he is a man of the people and loves the country more than anybody or ideology.
He vowed not to give up on speaking for the common man against bad governance and injustice, adding that nobody can dictate to him what to preach or what not to preach.
He said that is the assignment God has given him to do and that he would not give up on it.
The cleric said he had decided not to talk to the press on the matter any longer following a move by some people seeking reconciliation on the matter, who had pleaded that he should stop speaking to the media about the issue.
He said he had given them his words and conditions that he would stop until after Salah. He said his conditions for reconciliation include that he would not withdraw what he has said about the worrisome security situation in the country.
He added that he was ready to honour any invitation from security agents should they find his teaching and sermon offensive or inciting.





 

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Simon Ekpa

Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has been accused of sponsoring terrorism in South-East Nigeria.
A group of Igbos in Germany identified as Overseas Igbo Federation, instituted a lawsuit against Ekpa for sponsoring terrorism activities in Anambra and Imo States.

Simon Ekpa
The group addressed the lawsuit to the National Prosecution Authority, Office of the Prosecutor General of Finland, a country where Ekpa is resident.
Meanwhile, details of the suit were not disclosed as only the front page of the document was shared. 
Reacting via his Twitter handle, Ekpa advised his followers to disregard the group. 
He wrote in separate tweets: “Disregard faceless and criminal igbo group that have no address in Germany and could not afford to hire lawyer in Finland posting their propaganda on social media. Hire a lawyer in Finland and sue Simon Ekpa for agitating for Biafra freedom and stop coming to social media court.
https://twitter.com/simon_ekpa/status/1515645132011364353?t=N1Mw2D2uGHBIJZ0wdn1l2Q&s=19
“The faceless poor igbo group looking for Fulani money could not file any documents to the ICC against Nig for genocidal crime against Ndigbo being committed by Nig state everyday, they could not inform Germany of the ethnic cleansing of Ndigbo, disregard the poor group. I am here.”
https://twitter.com/simon_ekpa/status/1515646012395819010?t=wPU-ztL7UQkyuYKgVvhArQ&s=19
Some weeks ago, the Indigenous People of Biafra reiterated that Ekpa was not a member of the group.
The group further urged Ekpa to stop using the group and Eastern Security Network to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

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Sheikh Nuru Khalid

The erstwhile Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Nuru Khalid has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. 
The digital Imam, during a meeting with human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Sunday, said the same government which negotiates with bandits and terrorists, is now scared of hearing citizens speak, particularly those who demand their rights. 

Sheikh Nuru Khalid
He said Nigerians should be given the freedom to speak without fear of harassment and intimidation, otherwise innocent citizens will become slaves. 
He stated, “I have conditions for reconciliation, one of them is I won't withdraw any word that I've spoken and the second condition is that no one will caution me on any issue. 
“If it is against the will of the government, they have security operations, let them arrest me. If it is against the tenets of Islam, summon the FCT Committee of Imam to call me and ask. I am feeling as if I gained my freedom, I can speak out freely, I don't mind anybody who feels good or bad. 
“My mission is not to convert people to Islam but create awareness in the minds of Nigerians that we are not slaves; our mothers gave birth to us as free people, we are free people, that freedom is very vital. 
“If we can maintain that freedom, we can speak out against bad governance but if we are afraid of them, we are now slaves. Somebody will just take one person and negotiate price. 
“That's what is happening in Nigeria today, they're kidnapping citizens, selling them out. Look at someone that can bear to negotiate with criminals, now he's afraid to listen to citizens. There's a problem.”
Khalid was suspended as Chief Imam of Apo Mosque by its steering committee after his sermon against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and its handling of insecurity in the country.
The cleric had knocked Buhari for not visiting Kaduna after an Abuja-Kaduna train was attacked by terrorists recently.
Eight passengers were confirmed killed during the attack while many were kidnapped by the terrorists.
Before the train attack, some terrorists had also stormed the Kaduna airport, killing one person. And twice within 24 hours, bombs were discovered and disabled by the police in the state.
The cleric had allegedly urged worshippers and entire Nigerians to shun the polls in 2023 if the government failed to fix the security problems and other challenges confronting the nation.
According to the committee that suspended and later sacked him, the sermon was capable of inciting public outrage.

Many Nigerians have criticised the government for allowing the sacking of the cleric, whom they have described as speaking truth to power. 
 

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A gospel artiste, Oluwatosin Alao has recounted his ordeal in the den of kidnappers when the criminals stopped a vehicle conveying him to a programme in 2018.
Alao, during a recent interview with Amina Atairu said he alongside eight members of his band started on the journey from Lagos to Kogi and on getting to Kabba in Kogi State, Fulani bandits attacked the vehicle with weapons: cutlasses and AK-47 guns. 

However, the bandits took four members of the band, Alao inclusive while five other members including two females were allowed to go — an occurrence the artiste considered a miracle from God. 
He said the bandits took them into the bush forcing them to trek for hours non-stop and threatening to kill anyone whose strength had waned. He said the bandits even hit their heads with the butt of a gun.
The gospel artiste said he and members of his band had to drink the water the bandits used to wash their cattle. 
Meanwhile, Alao who at some points, queried the kidnappers said they told him that they ventured into the business of kidnapping and terrorism because Nigeria belonged to their father. 
He said, “They told me that their father owns the land and since they're not getting what belongs to them, they have resorted to doing this. They said Nigeria belongs to them since the 16th or 17th century. 
“They said they do only three jobs: kidnap, join Boko Haram and do rituals. They said when they kidnap someone and people can't pay to get them and it results in death, they cut their body parts and sell them.”

He narrated, “I went for a show with one of my friends to Kogi State, we travelled by road, we took a minibus for about nine of us, we branched in Akure, enjoyed ourselves. 
"We passed a military checkpoint, we were moving, thanking God that the place is safe. After like four minutes, it is a bumpy road, though people pass there, we were sceptical but we still moved. I noticed a Fulani man in front, but I didn't know what it was exactly. 
"The more I approached the man, the more uncomfortable I was. When we were almost close to him, I stopped and he double-crossed the road with an AK-47. I looked at the rear mirror, to reverse, three other people came out at the back from the bush, we were in Kabba already. I couldn't move because I observed they were carrying AK-47s, cutlasses, etc. 
"They smashed the glass and corked a gun. We surrendered and they marched nine of us into the bush, there were two female back-ups, and the faces of the four attackers were painted. The first miracle God gave us was that the ladies were separated from us and three others. They marched four of us into the bush, at about past 4, they destroyed the car. 
"One of the boys went to the military checkpoint but couldn't get help. They set the five other people free. I started talking to them in Hausa. From past 4 pm, we trekked non-stop till 1 am, one of my back-ups, he's on the big side, and the boy said he was already tired, and that he doesn't mind ending it up there. 

"The attackers said they would kill him, that we're supposed to cover miles. They said they were going to kill my backup guy and sell his body parts so the talking drummer volunteered to carry him. The attackers said they will kill him and right in my presence, those who will buy his body parts will arrive. We didn't know what we were doing because they were all carrying guns. 
"Later that early morning, they tied us together and set up a bonfire so we can see. So my drummer said boss we can overcome these four people, they are four, we are four, he said these guns are not normal guns. He said boss let's run, I don't know what came over me, I'm not always afraid but I'm just relaxed that they know this bush more than us. We had trekked from Kogi to Ondo. One of them was 24, the other 26, one was 28 and the other 29. 
"The four of them don't even stay in the same state. They tied four of us, one was in front with AK-47, one was at the back, one went into the bush, the other one was cooking drugs, they were high. My drummer insisted that we run but I said no. When it was daylight, we saw that it was a real gun, that had about ten cartridges. 
"They went through our phones to call people. One of the things I want to say here is that each time our phone rings, they will dial some networks to know the identity of the person. They knew what they were doing, this is a cartel, and they speak to people in the communication world. 
"They told me that this money they're asking me, they're not the only one that will share the money, the police, military, etc. In fact, when they took the N5 million. Someone brought the money in cash to them, they said that they would know if there is a tracker. 
"When I heard about the Kaduna attack, my spirit went back to what I passed through, it's hell. We were walking around, we trekked for almost 50 hours, they kept moving, they have people talking to them, monitoring their location. My five band boys went to report to the military, my immediate elder brother is a king, he too was already connecting people. 
"The truth is, if you are kidnapped, you are on your own, it takes God for you to come back. Our release was a miracle. Three days after our release, the Oba of Ifon was killed. This thing is not ordinary. When they took the money, they flipped it because there is a way they will know if it is being tracked. 
"It is sad that a country I belong to, that I'm serving, I've been playing music for over three and a half decades in my country, I had the opportunity to stay abroad with a green card but this is my country, I feel great being a Nigerian but my friends ask me if I want to die in the country. 
"I had a baby three months before the time and I was like, is that the end? As I'm talking to you, I'm already traumatised. 
"The following day, we were in Ekiti, they asked if we were hungry. They gave us the water they used to clean their cows, I drank it. They're used to it because they are all on drugs. They are fetish, at a time I asked them if they aren't tired. As a Yoruba boy, there's something called Kanako, it means you can decide to trek from here to Ibadan and the journey will be shorter and they told me that's what they use. 
"They know everywhere within the 5, 6 states of that area. You don't know the freedom you have sitting down, doing what you want, we were drinking it with happiness because we were on the verge of passing out. 
"They asked us what we wanted to eat, one of them went to the market in Ekiti State. They told me that their father owns the land and since they're not getting what belongs to them, they have resorted to doing this. They said Nigeria belongs to them since the 16th or 17th century. They said they do only three jobs: kidnap, join Boko Haram and do rituals. 
"They said when they kidnap someone and people can't pay to get them and it results in death, they cut their body parts and sell them. They will make lots of money from it. I couldn't argue with them, because we have already said our last prayers several times. The guy that went to the market brought garri and palm oil, mixed it and asked us to eat it. They live like normal humans among us. Some of my guys rushed the garri. 
"At this time, they had started negotiating with people, my pastor would call and pray for them. After this, they would beat the hell out of us. In fact, we were even praying that the man shouldn't even call. 
"Two of my mums made efforts to get the government, called and tried to locate where we were. But what we heard was, if the military tried to strike, they might be able to rescue but lose some of us. 
"When they eventually said we should look for N5 million out of N40 million, special thanks to friends, pastors, my colleagues. The gospel industry was thrown into pandemonium. Sammie Okposo, Big Bolaji, BJ Sax Nathaniel Bassey, those three nights, they were just praying."

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The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu has taken a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari's administration. 
Tinubu, during a rally of South West youths of the ruling party on Saturday, said young Nigerians cannot be blamed for being “lazy” while the country faces the problem of electricity supply.

About four years ago, Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari criticised the attitude of some Nigerian youths, saying they were only hustling to get on the gravy train.
“More than 60 per cent of the population is below 30, a lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil-producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, healthcare, education free,” he had said during a panel appearance with world leaders at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London.
He was fiercely criticised for the comment, with many saying it failed to convey the reality of the exploits of Nigerian youths.
Speaking on Saturday at a rally of South West youths of the ruling party, Tinubu indirectly replied the President, stating that no nation can witness “rapid development” without electricity.
He said the country is blessed with enough gas that can be used to generate electricity and even export to European countries.
Tinubu said: “We cannot continue with excuses on NEPA failure. No! No nation can make rapid development without electricity.
“Give us that, and if we cannot be successful, you can abuse us. You cannot give us erratic electricity that is undependable and then blame us again that we are lazy. No!
“Nigeria — it is about time. We have enough gas to fire up our electricity. We can supply the rest of Europe with gas, and we can make money from it.” 

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