JUST IN: Hoodlums burn houses of ex-Imo AG, Assembly member

Unidentified hoodlums who reportedly disguised themselves as local vigilante groups in the early hours of Wednesday stormed the private residence of the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Imo State, Chief Cyprian Akaolisa and set the building ablaze.

The Nation gathered that the multi-million naira and ultra-mordern building which is situated at Ebenato ward in Orsu Council Area of the State in the ancestral home of the ex Attorney General was completely reduced to rubbles with explosives.

It was learnt that the faceless hoodlums later vanished into thin air after pepertrating the dastardly act.

Akaolisa, who confirmed the sad incident in a telephone chat with newsmen said “I am shocked that some criminal elements could be so callous to commit such atrocity which is man’s inhumanity to man.”

In the same vein, the member for the Orsu state constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon. Ekene Nnodumele is equally counting his losses over a similar recent fire disaster that gutted his private building in his community.

The fire was reportedly set by unknown gunmen who terrorised Ebenato Ward in Awo Idemili in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Special Assistant to the lawmaker, A. Nwadikwa who confirmed the incident in a phone call said Nnodumele’s security man was also beheaded by the arsonists.

“There was heavy gunfire in Ebenato in Awo Idemili by unknown persons who also attacked the home of the lawmaker,” he said.

Contacted, the Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro admitted knowledge of the incident saying he has sent his men there for on the spot assessment of the incident.

Gunmen Hit Back, Kill Alleged Military Informant Behind Death Of ESN Commander, Ikonso: See Photo

The victim, whose name had yet to be ascertained, was gunned down in a village between Imo and Anambra states.

unmen have shot dead a middle-aged man alleged to be one of the informants used by the Nigerian Army to give away the late commander of the Indigenous People of Biafra’s Eastern Security Network (ESN), Ikonso Don.

SaharaReporters learnt that the victim, whose name had yet to be ascertained, was gunned down in a village between Imo and Anambra states, where he was believed to be hiding.

Sahara Reporters obtained the graphic images of the corpse of the victim, who was shot dead along a footpath in the village while the gunmen escaped from the scene. 

“The victim is alleged to be the informant the military and the police used in getting Ikonso’s location and in killing him. Some said the informant was also a member of the ESN but others said he was a former IPOB member, renounced them and came to the village to hide. But he has now been killed,” a source stated.

SaharaReporters had on April 26 reported that the Nigerian Army ‘s operation against the ESN and IPOB in Awomama Village in the Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State led to Ikonso Don’s death, who was an ESN top commander.

The army and the police intelligence team had killed Ikonso, known as Vice President, and six other IPOB commanders during the raid.

The army had confirmed that an officer and three policemen were also shot dead by the ESN during the gun battle on Saturday.

The then Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, had released a photograph of Ikonso with IPOB Leader, Nnamdi Kanu, as well as of the shrine where the ESN and IPOB fighters reportedly gathered in Oru East.

The army spokesman had revealed that they had been on the trail of Ikonso and other ESN commanders for weeks before he was finally captured.

“The IRT and DSS teams along with troops of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army have been on the trail of the terror group since the unfortunate attacks on the Imo State Police Command and the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5. 

“The said Ikonson Commander, who was the mastermind of those attacks in addition to multiple attacks in the South-East and South-South regions, was neutralised along with six of his top Commanders,” the military had said.

Sources had also told SaharaReporters that Ikonso was also given away by some of his photographs shared on the social media as well as by some of his friends, who had been in touch with security agencies for weeks, if not months.

“Ikonso Don was a well-known hardcore IPOB member. When the ESN was launched, he joined and participated in several operations, rising to later become a commander. He was going to his village in Umuoma alongside other ESN members when they were ambushed.

“He was targeted and killed after some of the Igbo he was fighting for gave out his details to the security forces,” a source had explained.

“His photographs were also shared on social media by a friend and he was given away as the ESN commander. That was the same place his photograph with Nnamdi Kanu was obtained,” another source revealed.

Panic As Dreaded Bakassi Boys Return To South-East After Years Of Redundancy

A group of vigilantes in the South-East, Bakassi Boys, after years of redundancy, has returned to some areas of Awka, Anambra State capital, Daily Trust reports.

Their members were viewed in two moving vans, singing and warning criminals, but who brought them could not be ascertained.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ikenga Tochukwu, said he was not aware of the development.

He said, “I received this as information from you. I don’t have any such details before me. Meanwhile, I will make enquires, please."

But the police spokesman quickly added, “We are ready to work with any stakeholder in security," when responding to the question as to whether the police would partner with such a group.

Meanwhile, a source said, “The boys came primarily for alleged cult groups which have taken over Awka town in recent time without any response from the police. I think they were invited by traders.”

A senior police officer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some security men had stormed the state, but failed to confirm if they were sent by the government.

The source said, “That is the only thing I can tell you, for now. Let’s see how things work out in the days and weeks to come.”

The Bakassi Boys are usually armed with machetes and guns, with all manner of charms worn around their body.

Their targets are petty thieves, armed robbers, ritual killers, murderers, corrupt persons, and generally, anyone considered evil.

Secondary School Boy Kill Girl For Refusing To Be His Girlfriend

The police on Tuesday charged the minor with murder.

A15-year-old boy, who allegedly beat a teenage girl to death for refusing his love advances, has been placed on remand by an Abeokuta Magistrate's Court pending legal advice by the Ogun State Department of Public Prosecution.

The police on Tuesday charged the minor with murder, News Agency of Nigeria reports.

Magistrate Dehinde Dipeolu, who did not take the minor's plea, ordered that he be remanded for 30 days in the Boaster Home Correctional Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).

 Dipeolu adjourned the case until July 16 for a mention.

The prosecution counsel, Inspector Olu-Balogun Lawrence, told the Court that the minor committed the offence on February 24 at about 1:30 p.m. at Nawar ud-Deen Grammar School area in Abeokuta.

 Lawrence said the 15-year-old beat the 14-year-old girl to death.

He said the boy and the deceased were students of Reverend Kuti Memorial Grammar School and Nawar ud- Deen Grammar School.

 Lawrence said the minor accosted the victim on her way home from school and asked her to be his girlfriend, but she refused.

"As a result of the beating, the victim was taken to the General Hospital at Ijaye for treatment and was later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, where she died," he said.

 Lawrence said that the offence contravened the provisions of sections 316 and, 319(1) of the Criminal Code, Law of Ogun, 2006

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.