Scores of travellers allegedly kidnapped by herdsmen in Imo

At least, twenty travellers on their way to Enugu State have reportedly been kidnapped by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

DAILY POST gathered that the kidnappers were operating along the Okigwe-Onuimo axis in Okigwe LGA of Imo State.

One of the passengers who allegedly witnessed the incident said the herdsmen, disguised as police officers, intercepted the 18 seater bus they were travelling to Enugu in and ordered three passengers into a nearby bush.

He said the herdsmen also commandeered a sienna bus fully loaded with passengers, including the driver.

He said, “Fulani herdsmen were armed and disguised as police officers at a checkpoint along Okigwe road.

“They surrendered us and took away three travellers from the 18 seater-bus and all the travellers in a sienna bus also going to Enugu.

“The worst is that there was no sign of security agents and no available means of contacting them.

“As you can see, passengers who are lucky, are still in a panic mode because nobody knows where the others were taken to,” he narrated.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Imo State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, proved abortive as his number was not reachable.

“IF WE’RE GIVEN LICENCE, I’LL BUY AK-47 RIFLES FOR AMOTEKUN” – GOVERNOR SEYI MAKINDE

Governor Seyi Makinde has mentioned that if the law allows it, he would prefer that operatives of the Western Nigeria Security Network, fondly called Amotekun walk around with AK-47 rifles to enhance security operations.

While speaking at the maiden “Governor Seyi Makinde National Democracy Summit”, he made this disclosure on Tuesday at the International Conference Center, University of Ibadan.

He emphasized that the outfit’s success thus far is due to the recruitment system, which ensures that the operatives are chosen from their local terrains. He stated that if state governments were given the authority to control security operatives in their states, the nation’s challenges would have been effectively addressed.

“We need to fully appreciate that state policing is a sure cure to our national development challenges. Anyone who has been involved in security at any level will tell you that policing is local,” Makinde said, according to a statement by Taiwo Adisa, his spokesman.

“One of the reasons why the Western Nigeria Security Network, code-named Amotekun, is recording success is because members of the corps are drawn from the locality. They know the terrain and so can gather needed intelligence. Also, they can be held accountable by the local people.“When the state governors become the actual Chief Security Officers in charge of the security personnel in their state, they can quickly respond to security challenges.

“Yes, we will continue to do our best. We were able to get Amotekun off the ground and it is in operation now. But there are several limitations to what Amotekun can do right now, and the types of firearms they can carry. If we are given the authority and licence, I will also buy AK-47 rifles for Amotekun.“So, these are just two areas where true federalism will bring greater economic benefits and development to Nigerian states.”

FG DECLARES MONDAY JUNE 14 PUBLIC HOLIDAY

 

The Federal Government has declared Monday, June 14 as public holiday to mark this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

He congratulated Nigerians on the occasion and urged all citizens to support the present administration in its efforts at ensuring a United and prosperous Nation.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore quoted Aregbesola as saying that “any form of agitation that threatens the unity of the country should be shunned for the good of all.”

The Minister insisted that the space known as Nigeria would be a haven of peace, unity and progress if all citizens love his or her neighbour and embrace the spirit of brotherliness.

PRESIDENT BUHARI INAUGURATES 157KM LAGOS-IBADAN RAIL LINE

President Muhammadu Buhari has inaugurated the 157 kilometres Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway for commercial operations at the Mobolaji Johnson railway station, Ebute Metta, Lagos.

Buhari described the project ‘‘as another milestone in the drive of this administration to revitalise the railway system and establish it as a choice mode of transportation for both passengers and freight.’’

In a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, on Thursday, said the rail line was established to reduce traffic on the heavily congested Lagos–Ibadan highway.

At the inauguration, Buhari pledged that his administration will prioritise the railway system as a transportation backbone that can transform industrial and economic activity in the country.

“This vital line establishes an end-to-end logistic supply chain in railway transport within its short corridor, Lagos–Ibadan, as goods to the hinterland would now be transported by rail directly from the Apapa port Quayside straight to the Inland Container Depot located in Ibadan from where it can be distributed to other parts of the country,” he said.

“In clear recognition of the challenges posed to our economic growth by the absence of strong and effective infrastructure, we have in the rail sector, further to other ongoing railway infrastructure projects, embarked on the completion of the outstanding segment of the Lagos – Kano railway, which is Ibadan–Kano.

“The Lagos–Kano railway project when completed will link the Kano–Maradi line at Kano and a rail link from the Nigeria southern ports of Lagos to Maradi in the Niger Republic will be achieved.

“The connection through rail would position Nigerian ports as the choice for import and export business of the people of landlocked Niger Republic.

“This would be beneficial to the economy through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation.”

Buhari further noted that the Ibadan-Kano project would have a connection to the Tin Can Island port as well as the West–East Coastal rail line from Lagos to Calabar linking Onitsha, Benin, Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Aba and Uyo.

Ondo Doctors Threaten Mass Resignation

 

Medical doctors in the services of Ondo State government have declared commenced a two-week warning strike over nonpayment of their salary areas.

The protesters under the aegis of National Association of Government General Medical and Dental Practitioners alleged the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration of nonchalant disposition to mass resignation of their members from the service of the state.

According to a letter entitled: “Notice of withdrawal of service” signed by the state Chairman and Secretary of the NAGGMDP, Dr Roland Arohunmolase, and Dr. Richard Obe respectively, and addressed to the governor, the doctors threatened to resign en mass if their demands were not met within two weeks.

Stating their grounds for the industrial action, the doctors alleged among others “non-payment of salaries arrears being owed health workers in Ondo State (January, 2017, March, April and May 2021), Gross under-staffing of government hospitals following mass exodus of doctors and other health workers from the state,  non-regular payment of salaries and non harmonization of doctors’ grade level in Ondo State Civil Service as approved by Mr. Governor which is contained in the letter written to Nigerian Medical Association Ondo State in March, 2021

“Percentage payment of salaries to health workers, non-payment of third tranche of COVID-19 allowance, non- implementation of Group Life Insurance for all Health workers,” 

According to the letter,” With due respect to your office, We write to notify your office of the immediate withdrawal of service by our members working under Ondo State Government Civil Service. Following Ordinary General Meeting of our association held on Wednesday 9th of June, 2021, members resolved at proceeding on two weeks warning strike starting from 8:00am, 10th of June, 2021.

“We hereby state that it is not the wish of our members to proceed on this industrial action, but it is necessary to draw your attention and that of the citizenry to the afore-mentioned.

The Association hopes Mr. Governor will do the needful in addressing our dissatisfaction as contained in this letter” the doctor stated in the letter.

“Against this backdrop, We wish to let you know that our members have been over stretched and their emotional intelligence badly affected.”

Ondo State is being over populated and this has increased the numbers of patient patronage at various government-owned health facilities. Invariably it has become unbearable to cope with the deplorable state of things in Ondo State Government-owned hospitals.”

JUST IN: IG of Police escapes death in Lagos as Canopy collapses

 

Usman Alkali Baba, the inspector-general of Police, IGP, narrowly escaped death as a canopy nearly collapsed on him during an official function on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

The incident took place at the Lagos State Police Headquarter Ikeja when the newly confirmed IGP, who was on his first official visit to the state, was about to address senior police officers.

It was about 2:15 p.m. when he came down from office of the state Commissioner of Police, Azeez Odumosu, when a heavy wind started blowing.

At about 2:20 p.m. the wind got heavier, soon accompanied by heavy rain. At about 2:30 p.m. the rain and wind became heavier just as the IGP was being introduced. As soon as the National Anthem was over the rain increased in intensity while the raging wind pulled down canopies covering both journalists and senior police officers.

Both the police and journalists scampered for safety.

At that point the IGP and AIG Zone Two Lagos, Johnson Kokumor, as well as AIG Force CID Galandi, CP Odumosu, and other senior officers rushed out – and then the canopy collapsed.

The IGP arrived at the Command at about 1:40 p.m. and was only able to take the National Anthem before the downpour started. The wind blew up all the canopies erected. This development forced the IGP and other senior officers to run to the conference room while others and journalists sought safety in available.

The IGP on arrival in Lagos at 10:00 a.m., had visited Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Lagos House, Marina, and the Oba of Lagos before coming to the command headquarters at about 1.40 p.m.

On arrival at the command, he met briefly with some senior officers at the conference room before coming to address other senior officers, including Area commanders, DPOs, squadron commanders before the rain started. (NAN)

Nigeria vs Twitter: Only Biden can face Buhari – US Intel expert, Matthew Page

 

President Muhammadu Buhari may not reverse the ban on Twitter unless United States President Joe Biden intervenes in the standoff which entered day 6 today.

Former US intelligence community’s top Nigeria specialist, Matthew Page, said this in an interview with DAILY POST in reaction to the latest demand by the world power.

Samantha Power, currently the US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator, illustrated Nigeria’s action against the company as ‘an aggression against free speech.

The ex-US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN) affirmed that nearly 40 million Nigerians use Twitter, and that “the country is home to Africa’s largest tech hub”.

“This suspension is nothing more than state-sanctioned denial of free speech and should be reversed immediately”, Power requested.

Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service.

The 44-year-old CEO, Jack Dorsey, visited Nigeria in November 2019.

Asked if the US government may decide to retaliate, Page said that going by the current attitude of the Biden administration, there may be no reprisal.

The associate fellow of the Chatham House Africa Programme in London said he was seeing “a very muted response”.

“I’ve witnessed the internal hand-wringing and reluctance to levy visa bans in much clearer situations, e.g. specific senior officials engaging in corruption or human rights abuses.

“Since this is government policy, any policy move by the US would have to target the state itself, and I don’t see the Embassy officials (at least) having the wherewithal to do that.

“The only way that would change is if someone very senior, President Biden or the Secretary of State, insisted that steps be taken and thereby clarified what the US response to Buhari’s decision should be”, the expert said.

Nigerian authorities sanctioned Twitter for deleting the President’s tweet after several citizens reported it for violating the rules of the social media platform.

Angered by incessant attacks on government facilities and the murder of dozens of security operatives in the South-East, Buhari said the perpetrators did not witness the carnage that occurred during the 1967 -1970 Civil War.

“Those of us in the fields for 30 months, who went through the war, will treat them in the language they understand”, he fumed.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has been directed to license all social media operations.

The NBC will also ensure that broadcast stations – Television and Radio – do not use Twitter until further notice. There will be penalties for the defaulters.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has gone to court in protest of the alleged “repression of human rights, freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom”.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice is an organ of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States.

On Wednesday, Information Minister, Lai Mohammed claimed that Twitter has reached out to him for a “high-level” discussion.

Photo: Chelsea Players Storm Lagos, Hangout With Davido

 

Chelsea players Fikayo Tomori and Tammy Abraham are currently enjoying their holidays in Lagos Nigeria as guests of superstar singer Davido.

It was reported that while Abraham won the Champions League with Chelsea, Tomori helped AC Milan back into the Champions League on loan for the Blues.

A photograph of the Chelsea duo clubbing with Davido in the Nigerian commercial capital was published on Twitter handle @chels_UK.

Tomori, 23, is a player who can claim three nationalities.

He was born by Nigerian parents in Calgary Canada, but was raised in England since he was a toddler.

Tammy Abraham, a striker, was also born by Nigerian parents in Camberwell London on 2 October, 1997.

Hudson-Odoi has been seen playing football with pop singer King Promise.

The Chelsea player who was wanted by German champions, Bayern Munich, was photographed with Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

Akufo-Addo has urged the Minister of Youth and Sports to explore the possibility of Callum Hudson-Odoi switching his British nationality to play for the Ghana Black Stars

Abaribe Walks Out Of 9th Senate Second Year Anniversary

 

The Minority Leader of the Senate, Ennyinnaya Abaribe on Wednesday refused to make comment on the achievement of the 9th Senate led by Ahmad Lawan in the last two years.

The upper chamber had fixed Wednesday to celebrate the achievements Senate since it was inaugurated on June 11, 2019.

There was, however, drama after the Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, delivered his speech and Lawan invited Abaribe to give his own speech.

The Minority Leader merely stood up and said, “Thank you Mr. President but the Minority Leader will like to decline to make comments.

The Senate President thanked Abaribe for his comments and called others senators to make their comments.

Abaribe then walked out of the chamber.

SPOTTED: How AGF Malami flouted FG order by using VPN to access Twitter [PHOTO]

The Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami on Tuesday, disclosed that he has deactivated his Twitter account. However, checks by POLITICS NIGERIA on the screenshot attached to the post, showed that Mr Malami accessed the microblogging platform with a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

Appearing conspicuously at the top right side of his phone is the VPN icon.

This is however in violation of the federal government suspension of Twitter activities in Nigeria.

“Malami directed the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) at the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, to swing into action and commence in earnest the process of prosecution of violators of the Federal Government De-activation of operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

Malami directed the DPPF to liase with the Ministry of Communication and Digital Economy, National Communication Communication (NCC) and other relevant government agencies to ensure the speedy prosecution of offenders without any further delay, ” Mr Malami’s publicist, Umar Gwandu, had said on Saturday.

It however remains unclear if the order from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation will be effected on Mr Malami. POLITICS NIGERIA had earlier reported how Nigeria’s information minister Lai Mohammed announced a ban on activities of the microblogging platform on Friday.

He added that the federal government directive had ordered the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to “immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.” As a result of the restrictions, Nigerians have been denied access to Twitter and can only access by bypassing domain restrictions through alternative mediums.

The suspension is sequel to Twitter’s deletion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s controversial tweet about the civil war after some Nigerian users flagged it. The government, in its response, accused the platform of bias against President Buhari and undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

Although the presidency says the ban is temporary and an attempt to curb fake news, human rights and foreign missions have berated the President Buhari-led administration for censorship, calling for a reversal of the suspension.

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