Pastor kidnapped by Boko Haram eight months ago freed in Borno

 

After seven months in Boko Haram captivity, a pastor with the Church of Christ in Nations, Rev Polycarp Zongo, has regained his freedom.

Zongo, who presides over a branch of the church in Jos, Plateau State, was kidnapped by the terrorists on October 19, 2020.

He was on a journey to a ministers’ conference in Gombe State when he was abducted by the insurgents.

About 12 days after the abduction, his church members and well-wishers gathered on the church premises at the Low Cost area of Jos in jubilation when the news of his release filtered in, but the information turned out to be untrue, a development which left the people and his family members traumatised.

Zongo’s abductors, according to the President of COCIN, Rev Dachollom Datiri, had demanded a “huge” ransom, which the church could not afford, and since then, the leadership of the church had been calling for his unconditional release until Monday, when the pastor eventually regained his freedom.

A peace advocate and President of the Gideon & Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Rev Gideon Para-Mallam, confirmed Zongo’s release to punch correspondent in Jos on Tuesday.

Para-Mallam, who said he had spoken to the pastor, added that he was freed in Maiduguri, Borno State, by his abductors alongside others victims.

Para-Mallam stated, “I just spoke with him. His release, this time, is true.

“He was released on Monday night by his abductors in Maiduguri and I was told that he would soon return to Jos any moment from now. We really thank God for sparing his life after several months in captivity.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Cross River State branch of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Benedict Ukpepi, has regained his freedom 84 days after he was abducted.

The state Vice Chairman of the union, Lawrence Achuta, announced Ukpepi’s freedom in a statement on Tuesday.

Baba Ijesha to remain in custody, as court denies rejects bail application

 

A magistrate court sitting in Lagos State, on Wednesday denied the embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, bail in the ongoing trial over alleged sexual assault.

Baba Ijesha was arrested and detained by the Lagos State police after he was alleged to have sexually molested a minor since she was seven years.

He was later granted bail on May 17, after spending about 25 days in police detention by magistrates in charge of prison decongestion.

However, he has remained in police custody despite the bail.

During the trial on Wednesday, June 16, Kayode Olabiran, his counsel, desired the court to release his client, citing his deteriorating health.

Olabiran stated that the controversial nature of the case has made it difficult to secure his release despite his bail as intending sureties were scared of the likely consequences.

But in his ruling, P. E Nwaka, the judge, held that the court can not grant the actor bail because the matter is beyond its jurisdiction.

The judge also explained that the case has already been filed before the high court.

Also speaking, Yetunde Cardoso, the superintendent of police in charge of the case, said the matter is now beyond the police.

“Mr Olanrewaju was actually granted bail during the JUSUN strike and based on the conditions given, he couldn’t meet them and he was properly charged today (Wednesday).

“Just like the court stated, the case has already been filed before the high court and the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) of Lagos State Ministry of Justice has taken over the matter from the police.

“So presently, we have handed over to the DPP so the case is before them (DPP). It has nothing to do with the police anymore, it’s now left for the DPP to handle it,” she said

Instagram deletes Adamu Garba’s account

 

Former Presidential Aspirant, Adamu Garba’s Instagram account has been deleted.

This occurred shortly after Google deleted his Crowwe app from the Google Play Store.

The reason for deleting Mr Garba’s account was unclear but Instagram is known for banning accounts that violate its policy or reported for spam, fraud, or a fake account.

Nigerians had taken to google play store to drop horrible reviews on the instant messaging app, which imitates Twitter.

They also reported that Crowwe’s Terms and Conditions were plagiarised word for word from another app, Spotify.

Google in a response to the reports, yanked the Crowwe app from play store.

“Google removes from the Play Store, applications that are perceived to have violated its policy.

“Once your app is removed, the published version of your app won’t be available on Google Play until a compliant update is submitted,” the app store policy said.

BREAKING: Ahead Buhari’s Visit, Boko Haram Terrorists Set Military Base On Fire In Borno

The Islamic State-backed faction of Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) on Tuesday razed a military formation in Kwamdi village, Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

The attack comes two days to the planned visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to the State, which is the epicentre of insurgency war in Nigeria. 

Ahead of his election in 2015, Buhari had promised to defeat Boko Haram but six years into his government, that promise has not been fulfilled.

In February 2020, residents of the state booed the President as his convoy drove in and when it was leaving Maiduguri, state capital, during a condolence visit.

The residents were heard shouting in Hausa “Bama so, ka samu a kunya.” Meaning “We don’t want you, because you have disappointed us.”

Thursday will be the first time the President will visit Borno since the February 2020 incident.

According to Daily Trust, Boko Haram terrorists overran a military formation in the Southern part of the state on Tuesday evening and carted away weapons belonging to the military during a gun duel.

The fighters were said to have stormed the area in 10 utility vehicles, and burnt down one Ammour Personal Carrier (APC) and a gun truck.

According to a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), Hamidu Abu, the deadly group targeted soldiers camp but not residents.

He added that the base was razed down as several valuables were stolen by the assailants.

“They came at about 4pm and due to the sand storms, it was difficult for soldiers to repel them. They burnt down the base including APC and four other vehicles.

“I can’t ascertain if there was any causality figure,” Abu said.

Culled from Sahara Reporters.com

INEC announces dates for Ekiti, Osun gubernatorial elections

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced dates for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

The Commission disclosed that the election in Ekiti State will hold on Saturday, June 18, while that of Osun State will hold on July 16.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, announced this on Wednesday at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

He said, “In keeping with our policy of announcing the dates of elections in advance to enable early and effective preparations by all concerned, the Commission has approved that the Ekiti State Governorship election will hold on Saturday, June 18, 2022, while the Osun State Governorship election will hold one month later on Saturday, July 16, 2022.

“Looking to the near future, the Commission is preparing to conduct the remaining off-season end of tenure elections ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Already, activities listed in the timetable for the Anambra State Governorship election are being implemented. So too are those of the FCT Area Council election holding on February 12, 2022.”

Meanwhile, Yakubu appealed for rancour-free primaries and peaceful electioneering campaigns, noting that the timetable and schedule of activities for both elections can be found on the Commission’s website and social media platforms.

CBN agrees to mint currency for Gambia

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has agreed in principle to mint The Gambian Dalasi.

The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, agreed to the currency minting proposal from the Governor of the Central Bank of The Gambia, Buah Saidy, who led a delegation to visit him on Tuesday.

Emefiele said Nigeria has a lot of capacity in currency printing as she has been minting since the 1960s and “we are willing to assist in printing your currency. We can be extremely competitive in terms of cost.”

The Gambian Central Bank governor said his country is running very low on currency and wants to learn how to manage their currency need annually leveraging Nigeria’s wealth of knowledge and experience.

He said currently, they placed an order for two years currency minting deal abroad but they are considering also minting from Nigeria if Nigeria is willing.

On its part, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company Plc said it is ready if both parties come to a deal.

IPOB: Nnamdi Kanu Reacts As Nigerian Army Begs Boko Haram/ISWAP For Reconciliation

 

The leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has reacted to the news making rounds on social media that the Nigerian Army is seeking reconciliation with the Boko Haram insurgents and the Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) over the constant killings and kidnappings in the country.

DAILY INDEPENDENT had earlier reported that the Nigerian army in its capacity called on the terrorists group to seize fire, put down their weapons and embrace peace, saying an end to the war is in sight.

The reconciliation call was made by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Abdulwahad Eyitayo at a party organised for journalists by the Army in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Speaking at the event, Eyitayo said that no one, including the military, was happy with the bloodshed, calling on the remnants of the terrorist organisation to take advantage of the amnesty and repent without further delay.

Eyitayo said, “We are not here for bloodletting, no one is happy that people are dying. Some of them (the insurgents) listen to the media, so it is good for us to appeal to them through the media to avoid violence, come forward to ask for forgiveness and reconciliation.”

The army moves follows a report that more than 30,000 Nigerians have been killed while over three million are displaced in the North East by Boko Haram, with many Nigerians held in their custody.

Reacting to the development on Tuesday via its official Twitter handle, Kanu said that the terrorists would be rehabilitated, recruited into the army and posted to the South.

He tweet, “Nigerian Army BEGS Boko Haram, ISWAP terrorists for reconciliation.

“And after reconciliation, they will be rehabilitated, recruited into the Army & sent to the South to ‘shoot to kill’. Now you see why I keep calling it a TERRORIST army.”

Meanwhile, the former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode had earlier expressed shock at the army’s decision to demand reconciliation with members of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

Reacting in a tweet, Fani-kayode said, “Nigerian Army BEGS Boko Haram, ISWAP terrorists for reconciliation.

“Since when has the Nigerian Army resorted to begging murderers, killers and terrorists? How have the mighty fallen!”

Nigerian Army Seeks Boko Haram, ISWAP Terrorists’ Reconciliation

 

In a bid to curtail the constant killings and kidnapping by terrorists across the country, the Nigerian Army has called on Boko Haram and Islamic State in West African Province (ISWAP) to come out an seek forgiveness and reconciliation, saying soldiers and the public are not happy as people are dying daily.

The Army made the reconciliation call in a statement by General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen. A.A. Eyitayo, at a feast organized for journalists by the army in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Eyitayo, who is also the commander of Sector 1, Operation Hadin Kai, noted that the recent military onslaught against the insurgents dealt a decisive blow on the terrorists leaving their remnants in disarray.!

He added that no one, including the military, was happy with the bloodshed, calling on the remnants of the terrorist organisation to take advantage of the amnesty and repent without further delay.

Eyitayo said, “We are not here for bloodletting, no one is happy that people are dying. Some of them (the insurgents) listen to the media, so it is good for us to appeal to them through the media to avoid violence, come forward to ask for forgiveness and reconciliation.”

Speaking further at the event, he encourage the media, and appreciate their contributions towards the fight against insurgency, while encouraging them to help the insurgents to see the light and repent from their wasteful ventures.

Eyitayo explained that their invention behind the feast that was organized was basically to stow great appreciation to the Nigerian Media, through the journalists who were present of course, for their reportage of the military activities in the state.

He added, “For the past three months since I assumed duty in Maiduguri in this capacity, there has never been any bad report. This is to appreciate the media for positive reportage.”

Recall that in recent time, more than 30,000 Nigerians have been killed while over three million are displaced in the North East by Boko Haram terrorists, the terrorist organisation also has many Nigerians held in their custody.

On April 14, 2014, a total of 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped from their school in Chibok. With 164 reunited to their families, 112 are still in captivity and many of them reportedly married off by the terrorists.

Also, on February 19, 2018, 110 schoolgirls of 11-19 years old were kidnapped from Government Girls’ Science Secondary School in Dapchi, Bulabutin, Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State.

Five of the girls died on the same day and all others were released in March 2018 except Leah Sharibu, a Christian girl who refused to renounce her faith.

Oyegun to Buhari, APC: Address agitations for restructuring, secession

Former national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief John Oyegun, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the ruling party to quickly address the agitations for restructuring and even those calling for separation.

The former Edo state governor said APC as the government of the federation, “must not give the impression that only military governments can fundamentally tamper with the basic structure of this nation.”

 Speaking at the public presentation of a book titled “APC’s Litmus Tests” written by the director general of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGD) Mallam Salihu Moh. Lukman, Oyegun said the earlier those agitations are addressed show the responsiveness of the APC government.

“We are in charge today, a progressive government, a progressive regime and I think it is proper that we show to the nation that when the people want some degree of change we should be responsive to it, we should address it. Compromises have to be made, there’s no question about that. The report itself is not final. It still has to go through the litmus test of compromises. The ideas of people from different parts of the country will be different up to the extent they want to go with the proposals in the document, but it is necessary. It is vital that it is in fact, mandatory in the interest of the survival of our nation, that these issues be addressed. We cannot continue to allow the subject to become something that threatens our nation at any turn. 

“So, the earlier we address it, the earlier we show that as a party we are responsive to the feelings of the people, the desires of the people and the wants of the people. It becomes easier then to diffuse the kind of stresses that the nation is passing through today. Look at what is happening. Well, it is recommended there should be State Police. Today we are having all sorts of organizations cropping out with all sorts of names, we haven’t defined their operational status, we haven’t defined their relativity properly with the establish security agents and the rest. But sitting down together we can work out so that we know the relativities between the existing structures and the existing institutions.”

On the need to rebuild the APC from bottom to the top approach, Chief Oyegun warned against bending the party’s rules.

“You can stretch the rule. Never break it. Secondly, it is very fundamental that in all we do, the ranks-and-file members of the party and of parties generally, are able to see that even when they lose, they have been treated fairly, they have been treated decently because what I observed, I was made the Chairman of the reconciliation group in the South-south and in every single case, you have a situation where during elections, the civil war within the party alone, makes it impossible to think of it. Why is it civil war? Civil war because critical stakeholders in the party see that they have not been fairly, justly treated.”

For the chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Kebbi state governor, Atiku Bagudu, said the APC is awared that there are fundamental challenges to be addressed and it will not shy away from acknowledging them and providing transparent leadership.

Bagudu said: “The party is not shy to acknowledge that our constitution is not perfect and again under John Oyegun, the El-Rufai  Committee on True Federalism was created to look at those issues that we should do better about. APC believe is let us amend constitution because society is dynamic not because somebody has been wronged and cheated. If that is the basis for correction, then the agitation will never stop but if it’s based on let us make it better, I believe the proposal which have been submitted to the National Assembly will help to produce amended Constitution that will meet most of the aspirations.

In her goodwill message, the mother of day and a former Nigerian envoy, Fatima Balla Abubakar, who said APC’s popularity can be attributed, significantly, to President Muhammadu Buhari, called on the government to quickly address the growing social unrest for the party to regain confidence.

“As the party in power which also has control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, the APC must redouble its efforts to regain public confidence and trust which have been eroded in these deeply trying times. We cannot regain public confidence in our party as well as the government if we do not seriously address the growing social unrest due to growing mistrust between citizens main|y induced by poverty, lack ofjobs and livelihood. It is only when trust is rebuilt that we can restore peace. 

“As a government in power, APC needs to start thinking and doing things differently so that it can begin to deploy more people oriented policies to boost socio-economic growth and development and to provide more relief to the people. 

“The present situation in the country calls for more robust intellectual and policy oriented discussions and engagements by our party. We must engage with a spirit of transparency and inclusiveness. We must create a big tent where different views and positions are discussed without bitterness.”

While appreciating the APC government for his opportunity to serve, the author of the book, Salihu Moh. Lukman, said APC leaders have been working to address some of the foundational issues of democracy and that the book “is a contribution to support initiatives of our leaders. All leaders and members of APC are therefore invited to engage challenges facing the party, government and the nation with every confidence and belief in the capacity of Nigerians to support every patriotic and nationalistic initiative. We much never allow the loud noise of selfish political entrepreneurs to hoodwink Nigerians into believing that our party and governments produced by our party have failed. 

“It will be a mockery of our political history to allow any narrative in the public space, which suggest that comparative to previous administrations since 1999, APC controlled administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari has failed. Like President Muhammadu Buhari himself has acknowledged, there are no doubt challenges facing the country, but no administration since 1999 has succeeded in completing projects, whether initiated by previous or current governments. 

“Just on Thursday, June 10, 2021, President Buhari commissioned the Lagos – Ibadan railway, a project started and completed by his administration. And because leaders of PDP are shameless, they had the temerity to make a public statement calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to ‘stop taking credit for projects not initiated by him.’ May be they also want President Buhari and APC to acquire all their scandalous records, which include abandoning the construction of the PDP National Secretariat after mobilizing billions on Naira.”

Eriksen unlikely to play football again, cardiologist says

Christian Eriksen is lucky to be alive but unlikely to play again after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest at the Euro 2020 tournament, according to a sports cardiologist.

In dramatic scenes in Copenhagen, the 29-year-old midfielder dropped to the ground at the Parken Stadium soon before half-time in Denmark’s match against Finland.

He was treated on the pitch before being taken to hospital.

The first-round match was suspended with players from both sides in clear distress before resuming some two hours later after Eriksen was said to be in a stable condition.

Finland won 1-0.

Professor Sanjay Sharma, professor of sports cardiology at London’s St George’s University, said football bodies and medical practitioners were likely to be “very strict” about allowing Eriksen to play again.

Sharma, who worked with Eriksen at Tottenham Spurs, said: “Clearly something went terribly wrong. But they managed to get him back. The question is what happened? And why did it happen?”

“This guy had normal tests all the way up to 2019. So, how do you explain this cardiac arrest?” asked Sharma.

Sharma, who chairs the FA’s expert cardiac consensus group, said there were multiple reasons a cardiac arrest could have happened, such as high temperatures or an unidentified condition.

But he said reports after the match that Eriksen who is now with Italian side Inter Milan was awake in hospital were “a very good sign.”

“I’m very pleased. The fact he’s stable and awake, his outlook is going to be very good.

“I don’t know whether he’ll ever play football again. Without putting it too bluntly, he died today, albeit for a few minutes, but he did die. And would the medical professional allow him to die again? The answer is no.”

He added: “The good news is he will live, the bad news is he was coming to the end of his career. So, would he play another professional football game? That I can’t say. In the UK, he wouldn’t play. We’d be very strict about it.”

Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand struggled to hold back the tears during his post-match press conference.

He revealed his side had the choice of finishing the Group B opener on the night or returning on Sunday.

“It was more unmanageable to have to restart tomorrow (Sunday). It was more unmanageable than going back out now and getting it all put behind us,” he said.

“I could not be more proud of this team, who take good care of each other.

“There are players in there who are completely finished emotionally. Players who on another day could not play this match. They are supporting each other. It was a traumatic experience.”

After Eriksen collapsed, his team-mates formed a shield around the 29-year-old while he received treatment and fans from both sets of countries chanted the name of the midfielder.

The football world has united to send messages of support to Eriksen and his family.

Sabrina Kvist Jensen, with whom Eriksen has two children, was consoled on the sideline by other Denmark players and team officials while the midfielder received treatment.

England, who get their Euro 2020 campaign under way Sunday against Croatia, had been due to hold a press conference on Saturday evening with captain Harry Kane alongside manager Gareth Southgate.

But the Football Association confirmed the media briefing had been cancelled.

Kane, who spent eight seasons with Eriksen at Tottenham, writing on Twitter: “Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong, mate.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tweeted: “Encouraging news about Christian Eriksen, we are all thinking about him and his family.

“Well done to the medical team and (English referee) Anthony Taylor for their calm and swift action. W.”

Later in the evening, the Dane’s Inter Milan team-mate Romelu Lukaku dedicated his first goal in Belgium’s 3-0 win over Russia to Eriksen by saying into the pitchside cameras: “Chris, I love you.”

He later told beIN SPORTS: “It was difficult to play because my mind was with my team-mate. I hope he is healthy and I dedicate this performance to him. I cried a lot because I was scared, obviously.”

Meanwhile, the BBC has apologised following complaints that it continued to broadcast while Eriksen received emergency treatment.

“We apologise to anyone who was upset by the images broadcast,” the broadcaster said in a statement.

“In-stadium coverage is controlled by UEFA as the host broadcaster, and as soon as the match was suspended, we took our coverage off air as quickly as possible.”

Former Tottenham striker Gary Lineker, who anchored the BBC’s studio coverage of the match, said: “In 25 years of doing this job, that was the most difficult, distressing and emotional broadcast I’ve ever been involved with.”

Lineker thanked his colleagues Alex Scott, Cesc Fabregas and Micah Richards, who were with him for their “professionalism, warmth and empathy.”

Of the host broadcaster’s coverage, Lineker said: “They should have stayed on a wide of the stadium. Apologies.”

Former Tottenham player and manager Glenn Hoddle, who suffered a cardiac arrest while working at the BT Sport studios in 2018, tweeted: “Thank God Christian is ok. And to those who did the CPR, it’s simple, you saved his life as I know so well.”

Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton midfielder who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup game in 2012, tweeted “Please God” following the incident.(dpa/NAN)