”Tell us where recovered loots are”, Sultan of Sokoto tells FG

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III on Tuesday urged the Federal government to explain to Nigerians how much loots it had recovered and what they were being used for.

He spoke in Sokoto at the zonal dialogue with stakeholders on the National Ethics and Integrity Policy, organized by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission for the northwest zone.

The Sultan, represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Prof. Sambo Wali Junaidu, said keeping mute on the recovered loots would spell doom for the fight against corruption in the country.

“The government owes Nigerians an explanation, we want to know how much billions of naira was recovered from our past leaders. Where the monies are and what are they doing with them?

“This explanation is necessary considering the state of our education and other infrastructure like roads which need serious government attention,” he said.

He said the founders of the Sokoto Caliphate had written many books on corruption and how it could be addressed using Islamic ways.

The Sultan urged Nigerian leaders to obtain copies of those books in order to be guided in getting to tackling corruption.

Another Nollywood Actress Dies of Cancer

Popular Nollywood actress, Ify Onwuemene is dead. She died of cancer.

It was gathered that the actress, who died on Tuesday, had been battling endometrial cancer.

Her colleague in the film industry, Gloria Anozie-Young, broke the news of her death via her Facebook page. writing:
“With a deep sense of loss but total submission to God Almighty, we regret to announce that IFEY ONWUEMENE has gone to be with the Lord.

“IFEY ONWUEME was diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Her womb was removed, but she has been battling the ailment for many years now.
“In 2019, even after eight sessions of chemotherapy, the doctors told her she had reached stage 4. However, we are not sure if she was given the wrong diagnosis or being treated with the wrong chemo, because she still felt pains on her upper abdomen and her tummy bloated.

“Ify spent more than N10m, being helped with donations by her fellow actors and other Nigerians. A GoFundme account was opened for her, but it did not yield much. She had to go for draining every two weeks at a cost of N280,000, but only 3 litres of liquid can be removed at a time so that her heart is not affected.

“IFEY has finally gone to rest, today 25th May 2021. May her soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.”

IGP unveils Operation Restore Peace in South East, South South

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in-charge of South-East and South-South, Moses Jitoboh, has said President Muhammadu Buhari, concerned over the burning of police facilities and killing of its officers in the regions, has directed that necessary steps should be taken to stop the mayhem.

He stated this while addressing security stakeholders in Akwa Ibom State at the Police Headquarters, yesterday, in Uyo, the state capital.

Jitoboh said Operation Restore Peace was initiated to ensure that policeman would no longer be killed unjustly and police formations attacked and destroyed.

He said the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba Alkali, mandated him as the most senior officer in the South-South to be the theater commander of the Operation Restore Peace.

He said he visited Ikot Akpan, in Essien Udim Council of the state, which he described as ‘the hotbed of attacks on Police formations’, explaining that the internal security of the state would be reorganised and rejigged to function better and that community policing would be coordinated for effectiveness.

On officers’ welfare, he explained that the police authority was reviewing the welfare package for men of the Nigeria Police, like gratuity and pension and provision of facilities to enable policemen to work better.

Jitoboh, who is in charge of Research and Planning, Force Headquarters, added: “The IGP is reviewing the welfare of police officers, their gratuities and pensions. President Buhari has assured him that the implementation will take place soon.”

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Amiengheme Andrew, lamented that no fewer than 23 officers have so far been killed within the period, saying 22 of them died during the attacks on police formations, while one died in an accident.

He stated that the criminal elements were part of the society and would wreak havoc if they were allowed to continue attacking police facilities.

“What has happened is very sad and disheartening, but my prayer is that we don’t lose more officers. I hope we will be able to come to a truce on how to resolve our challenges,” he added.

OPEN GRAZING: We’ll no longer tolerate attacks on herders, NEF warns

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has lamented alleged killing and attacks on northerners living in the south and other parts of the country.

It also said the forum will no longer fold its hands and allow the “unprovoked killings” to continue, especially with the issue of open grazing and ranching being considered by different governments.

 The group made the position known in a statement made available to Blueprint in Abuja Tuesday and signed by NEF’s Director, Publicity and Advocacy, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed.

The forum said many state governors were to blame for allowing attacks on helpless herders in their states, even as it said it was open to dialogue in ending insecurity in Nigeria.

The statement said:  “Northern Elders Forum (NEF) is convinced that it is time to respond to issues that threaten our collective security and the unity and integrity of the country. The Forum has held back on joining issues with persons and groups intent on provoking the type of crises that will escalate beyond control or mitigation by leaders, who are collectively showing definite signs that they are unwilling to steer the country away from the dangerous threats which are crippling it.

 “It is now clear that elected people sworn to protect the constitution and protect the unity and integrity of Nigeria have decided to surrender to deeply divisive or out rightly irredentist and secessionist tendencies and movements. In the South East, governors are yielding their political turf and mandates to secessionists, criminals and subversives, who think they can exterminate federal presence and northerners from the region and achieve dubious political goals related to 2023 or break away from the country.

 “In the South-west, elected leaders and pampered ethnic bullies are closing ranks to provide a front that apes the do-what-we-want-or-we-leave-the-country strategy of the marginalized leaders of the South East. Governors are building ethnic monsters and hiding behind them to whip up sentiments in a crude attempt to extract concessions no one is in a position to give or guarantee.

“The South-south is squeezed between fear and uncertainty and its leaders are gambling that they can benefit from further weakening the federal administration and the North if it rides along with the rest of the South.

“A plastic unity is being contrived to create the impression that the entire South is united behind shared grievances against the Presidency and Fulani herders and all northerners, who are cast as fair game in responding to all of President Buhari’s multiple failures. A desperate, but futile attempt is being made to split the North along lines that suit people who ignore its complexities and plurality when it is convenient to lump all Northerners and submit them to humiliation or attacks.

 “The NEF recognizes that most of these provocations feed from the widespread perception of a weak national leadership and a broken political process that has become captive of narrow political interests. For the record, the forum restates its support for a programmed transition that will eliminate open grazing and the establishment of productive, safe and sustainable options in managing our huge national asset in animal husbandry. 

 “This cannot be achieved with threats and harassment, but with commitment and collaboration involving all governments and stakeholders. It is in everyone’s interests to support an urgent national initiative that will engineer a safe and productive transition to the end of open grazing. In the meantime, the forum must warn those attacking and killing Fulani herders to stop. There are limits to every community’s tolerance, and the forum strongly advises that lines are respected in the manner we treat Nigerians, who are vulnerable wherever they live.”

 The elders added: “The forum has always supported initiatives that improve the quality of inputs into how Nigerians can address the limitations in the manner the country is operated. It is unfortunate that the current efforts of the National Assembly to amend the constitution enjoys little or no confidence among Nigerians that they will address the fundamental challenges which need to be comprehensively addressed, although this can be redressed if our elected representatives recognize the historic opportunities they have to move this country beyond its strangulating challenges.

 “The negative attitude of the Presidency towards engaging Nigerians to tap into ideas, grievances and goodwill of many citizens who mean well is ill-informed and, under our current circumstances, dangerous. So are postures that issue opportunistic ultimatums over convening national dialogue by the President. The forum supports a citizen-driven national dialogue and a campaign to get the government to accord its outcome the respect it deserves. The forum extends its hands to groups that genuinely believe that Nigerians should demand and design the type of country we want, and should not wait for people we elected to set the boundaries and conditions of our existence.

 “The forum restates that the North will not be cowed and stampeded into escorting political ambitions of politicians at the cost of its rights, security and dignity. It demands that President Buhari asserts the powers our constitution gives him to protect our territorial integrity and secure citizens, or accept that he is incapable of leading the nation through these unprecedented challenges. 

 “Attacks on lawful Fulani and other Northerners in the South must stop and those who have killed them must be brought to book. The nation needs to know that Northerners in many parts of the South now live in heightened fear as they are profiled and harassed by elements in host communities, who believe that there are no consequences for their actions.

“The forum demands an end to attacks on federal agents and facilities. Governors in the South must be unambiguous in their condemnation and resistance against these dangerous activities. They cannot continue to walk on both sides of the street. Northern governors should note that they are rapidly receding into irrelevance as desperate citizens’ chalk up their silence over multiple assaults in a country where they have equal rights to their security and dignity.  

 “If our country is to survive its current difficulties and build a better nation, President Buhari must improve his levels of competence, awareness that the nation is sliding into disaster and sensitivity to the frustrations of Nigerians. Other political leaders, who take advantage of the limitations of the President to light fires, should know that they will get burnt in them.

 “Overwhelming majority of Nigerians do not want war or an end to our union. We just want an end to insecurity, escalating cost of living and the hate and the fear which our leaders are triggering. The forum restates its readiness to engage any group of Nigerians in exploring productive paths to a better future. What it will not do is to watch as the North is damaged further by cynical southern politicians and adventurers who think the North is too weak to protect its own interests.”

Suspected Yahoo boy kills his twin brother in Delta state

A suspected Yahoo boy, who allegedly killed his twin brother at Oleh, headquarters of Isoko South Locala Government Area, Delta State, has been arrested by police operatives.

Though the reason for the killing could not be ascertained at press time, sources said it might have been carried out for ritual purposes.

The suspect, it was gathered, was found with a dog and the decomposing body of the deceased in their apartment at Old Olomoro Road, Monday, after neighbors perceived a offensive smell emanating from the flat.

“The house was locked for some days and after some time, the people living in the compound began to perceive foul smell that attracted flies around the apartment.

“The neighbors then alerted the police at the Oleh divisional headquarters. The door was forced open and they found him sitting close to the decomposing body of his twin brother. A dog was also found in the house,” a source, who craved anonymity, said.

The source said the corpse of the deceased had been deposited in a mortuary in the area while the suspect and his dog were arrested by the police.
Confirming the incident, yesterday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Mr Bright Edafe, said the police had commenced investigation into the matter.

He, however, added that “For now, there is no evidence that it was for ritual purpose. When they broke into the house, they saw the decomposing body and the twin brother.”

Man kills roommate, sells body parts to pastor for rituals – Police

A 34-year-old man, Okpegboro Avwerosuo, has allegedly killed his roommate in Sagbama Town, Sagbama Local Government Area, SALGA, of Bayelsa.

Mr Okpegboro was alleged to have sold the deceased’s vital organs to a pastor in Port Harcourt, who is currently at large, for ritual purposes.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Asinim Butswat, confirmed the story.

Mr Butswat said that the suspect, who hails from Ugheli North Local Government Area of Delta, was being detained at the   state Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

He said that the name of the victim had yet to be known.

According to a neighbour who pleaded anonymity, the suspect invited the deceased, his friend, to Sagbama to join the motorcycle riding business, assuring him that the business is flourishing in the town.

The boom in the transport business is because of patronage by students as the Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, IJBCOE, is located the town.

NAN gathered that the deceased had spent barely two weeks in the town when Okpegboro struck him on the skull with a pestle in the night and killed him.

The neighbor further explained that “after killing him, he dismembered the body, preserved the vital organs and put the other parts in separate sacks which he disposed off in the early hours of the following day.’’

He said that while disposing the sacks, another neighbour who saw him and suspected his movement confronted him and demand to know the whereabouts of his roommate.

“The suspect claimed that the deceased has travelled back to Delta State for an urgent business. Not satisfied with his response, the neighbour forced his way into the room and saw blood stains everywhere.

“Upon interrogation before he was handed over to the police, the suspect confessed that he had sold the vital organs of his friend to a pastor in Port Harcourt, who is currently at large for ritual purposes,’’ he explained.“The neighbour held him down and alerted the local vigilante which eventually called the police in to arrest the suspect. “Upon interrogation before he was handed over to the police, the suspect confessed that he had sold the vital organs of his friend to a pastor in Port Harcourt, who is currently at large for ritual purposes,’’ he explained.

The President of SALGA Federated Youth Council Worldwide, Mr Preye Casey, in a statement, condemned the killing of the young man.

Casey urged the youth of Sagbama to be on alert to checkmate the activities of non-indigenes in the town as security tension continued to rise across the country.

“Just yesterday, the decomposing body of a young man was discovered in the bush with several parts of the body already butchered into pieces and placed in sack bags.

“The Nigeria Police, Sagbama Division, was alerted and it led to the arrest of a young man in Sagbama Federated Community, suspected to have been the perpetrator of the ungodly act.’’

He condemned the act and called on Sagbama youths to be vigilant as they went about their normal activities, especially in the wake of the rising insecurity level in the country.

The president, therefore, appealed to the security agencies to find out those behind the murder of the young man.

How Innocent Women Were Killed During Attack On Imo Police Station

Two women lost their lives during the invasion of the Orji Divisional Police Headquarters in Owerri, Imo State capital, on Tuesday.

Daily Trust had reported how gunmen shot sporadically during the attack on the police station.

Our correspondent gathered that the women were killed by stray bullets.

One of them was said to be frying bean cake known as akara by the roadside when she was hit by bullets.

Videos trending on social media showed the gunmen being hailed by youth as they brandished their guns.

Five of the attackers were later arrested, according to the police.

In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bala Elkana, said the attack on the station was foiled.

“Some hoodlums in their numbers launched an offensives on the reconstruction site of Orji Divisional Headquarters which was earlier burnt by hoodlums during the End SARS protest  in 2020.

“The hoodlums, who believed that the re-establishment of a functional police station may prevent them from carrying out their nefarious acts in Orji and environs, decided to invade the construction site.

“Before the arrival of reinforcement team, the hoodlums melted into the neighbouring townships area but abandoned their operational vehicles. The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc personally led an enforcement team to the scene.

“The whole area was cordoned and five suspects  were arrested. No life was lost. Three vehicles were recovered,” the statement read.

He said mop up operation is ongoing to arrest more suspects and recover their firearms.

Man found alive in Bayelsa forest with hands and legs tied after being attacked by unknown assailants (photos)

 

One Tama Ozigbo, who was thought to be dead by his attackers has been found alive inside a forest in Bayelsa State.

According to Facebook user, Afririki Mieseta, who disclosed this on Monday, May 24, the victim, a security personnel was beaten to pulp by six unknown men suspected to be robbers and then dumped in the forest with his hands and feet tied after they presumed him dead.

“This is Tama Ozigbo from Bulou-orua community in sagbama local Government Area of Bayelsa State, He was Beaten lifeless by 6 Men that came to steal from a Cat Machine by 3am on Friday night which they thought He is Dead & he was Dumped in a Forest hand & legs been tied,” Mieseta stated.

“He Happens to be a Security Personnel Securing a Caterpillar Machine along Sagbama/ Ekeremor Road (Bulou/Orua). But, to the Glory of God. He is taking Medical Treatment. Calling on the Security Agency’s to do something about this Barbaric act & Bring those involved to Book. Be security conscious and report any suspicious movement around your Area.”

JUST IN: Suicide bomber blows off self in Ebonyi

A suicide bomber has reportedly blown off himself in Afikpo town, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The suspected suicide bomber had attempted to gain entrance into the Amaizu/ Amangballa Primary School to detonate the bomb, but was prevent from doing so.

The incident reportedly occurred around 12.00pm on Tuesday.

A source told The Nation that the suicide bomber made an attempt at entering Amaizu/ Amangballa Primary School but was turned back by the school security since he couldn’t justify his reason for visiting.

“He immediately started running inside a nearby bush before a big bang was heard,” he said.

Commissioner for Internal Security, Stanley Okoro confirmed the incident but noted that he was yet to get details of what happened.

The upper part of the suspected suicide bomber’s body was completely destroyed from the impact of the bomb.

Residents scampered to safety when the bomb exploded and later regrouped to see what has happened.

Culled from pmnewsnigeria.com

S3x workers in Zimbabwe now accepting maize, cups of beans as payment due to pandemic

Covid-19 has hit s3x workers in Zimbabwe hard to the extent of accepting buckets of maize and cups of beans as payment from their also cash-strapped male clients.

The s3x workers said the ‘barter trade’ had also created problems for their clients as the men usually steal the ‘payment’ from family granaries.

The female s3x workers’ plight has also been worsened as nightclubs and bars remain closed due to strict Covid-19 national lockdown restrictions.

Speaking to NewZimbabwe.com at Dema growth point in Seke rural, about 37km east of Harare, s3x workers appealed to the government and other organisations for low-interest loans to start income-generating projects to fend for starving families than relying on prostitution.

“Gone are the days when we used to charge clients for $US5 for the whole night. These days even one dollar is accepted so that you are able to buy vegetables and tomatoes and cook something for your starving children,” one of the s3x workers, who only identified herself as Alice, said.

“I have three children; one is doing Form 4. The child needs ZIMSEC (Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council) registration fees. The other is in Grade 7 and one is in Grade One. So you can see my predicament.”

“I now even accept a bucket of maize or cups of dried beans as payment for sex services. At least I am assured that my kids will have porridge.

“We appeal from well-wishers, including government to assist us to start income-generating projects. Our children are going to sleep at night on empty stomachs.”

Another s3x worker, Mavis said she could have opted to be a house helper but the local people do not pay.

“We tried this (domestic work) but the bosses do not pay. I once worked for five months with promises to be paid, but I left empty-handed,” she said.
“So, if we can get loans with low-interest rates, we can start our own projects and be able to look after our children.”

The s3x workers, who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com were attending a Key Affected Populations (KAP) workshop meant to reduce HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) infections.