IPOB Sit-At-Home: Imo Govt Closes Banks In Owerri [Photos]

 

The Imo State Government has closed some banks in the state over alleged failure to open for business on Monday.

Recall that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had ordered a sit-at-home every Monday in protest of the arrest and prosecution of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government.

It, however, later cancelled the order but some businesses have continued to observe the sit-at-home order every Monday despite the insistence by the Imo State government that IPOB does not have the authority to give such orders.

It was gathered that officials of the state government sealed off banks such as Access, Polaris, First Bank, Eco Bank, and United Bank for Africa located on Bank Road in Owerri, the state capital.

According to The PUNCH, customized ribbons of the Owerri Capital Development Authority were used in sealing the various banks as early as 7 am.

Hundreds of bank customers were seen on Tuesday waiting endlessly to get into the bank for transactions, while some were stranded.

Some of the operatives of the development authority claimed that the banks were sealed because of building approval plans.

However, as of the time of filing this report, the state government has yet to react to the development.

Nigeria’s Drugs Agency, NDLEA Arrests Corps Member For Importing Drugs From UK

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a member of the National Youths Service Corps, Arnold Meniru, for alleged importation of four kilogrammes of drugged candies from the United Kingdom.

The NYSC on Monday night confirmed Meniru’s arrest in a press release, adding that it had an “unequivocal stand against any form of crime by any individual including corps members.”

“The management of the NYSC is aware of the reported arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of a Corps Member, Arnold Meniru for alleged importation of four (4) kilograms of drugged candies from the United Kingdom.

“The Scheme wishes to reiterate its unequivocal stand against any form of crime by any individual including Corps Members.

“Cognizance of the dangers and negative effects of drugs particularly on the youths, the NYSC over the years have been collaborating with the NDLEA to sensitize and counsel Corps Members and the public against substance abuse.

“Prospective Corps Members, before being admitted into NYSC Orientation Camps, are usually searched thoroughly by NDLEA operatives (who are also resident in the camps throughout the duration of the programme) to prevent importation and use of illegal substances in the camps,” the NYSC Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs Adenike Adeyemi, said. 

“Equally, sensitization on the dangers of illicit drugs is one of the major lectures packaged for the Orientation exercise.

“In addition, there is an existing NYSC/NDLEA Community Development Service (CDS) group whose mandate is to organize public campaigns against use of illicit substances to curb drug abuse. 

“In the same vein, the Director-General of the Scheme, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, uses every opportunity to counsel Corps Members on the dangers and implications of engaging in crimes including drug abuse.

“Consequently, the NYSC wishes to note that being an integral part of the composite Nigerian society, corps members are subject to the laws of the country. Nonetheless, the scheme will not relent in admonishing its corps members and the youths in general to be good ambassadors of their families, desist from drug trafficking and any other act that can tarnish the name of their families, the NYSC and the country at large,” she added.

BREAKING: Gunmen Abduct 18 Residents In Kaduna Community

 About 18 people have been kidnapped in Keke, a community in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

According to Daily Trust, the gunmen were said to have invaded the community around 12midnight.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen came in large number and after causing confusion in the area, they kidnapped 18 people.

It was gathered that the police are presently in the area.

There is, however, no official confirmation from the authorities.

Bandits have been ravaging Kaduna also in a string of attacks on the North-West states particularly.

Only in August, Samuel Aruwan, the state commissioner for internal security and home affairs, confirmed some of the affected communities to include Ungwan Magaji, Kigam, Kisicho, and Kikoba villages.

Aruwan had identified some of the victims killed by bandits as Joseph Maza, Timvan Cibi Ciwo, Monday Titus, Asabe Magani, Laraba Danladi, and Yosi Danladi.

Woman Reveals How She Escaped From Gunmen Who Killed Sowore’s Brother

 

A woman identified as Emmanuel Anyanwu had revealed how gunmen that reportedly killed the brother of SaharaReporters publisher, Olajide Sowore demanded ₦10 million for her release.

Anyanwu noted that she escaped from the kidnappers when their attention was shifted from where they kept her with four other victims.

The victim disclosed that she was on her way to Imo State from Lagos to bury her husband when she was abducted.

She said when she offered the kidnappers ₦500,000 they referred to her as a fool.

Anyanwu narrated the incident at the police headquarters in Benin on Monday.

She said, “On Friday, we were coming from Lagos to the eastern part of the country and our vehicle broke down around Okada on the outskirts of Benin.

“We passed the night in the vehicle. Around 6.30 am to 7 am Saturday, some men came out from the bush, shooting at us; we surrendered. We were two ladies and three men.

“They took our belongings, including our phones and marched us into the bush. It took almost two hours to get to their camp. They blindfolded us and questioned us one after the other.

“They asked me where I was coming from and where I was going. I told them that I was coming from Lagos and going to Imo State for my husband’s burial. They asked how many kids I had and I told them two. I also told them I sold groundnut in Lagos. They asked if I was the one providing the money to bury my husband and I told them his brother would do that.

“They told me that they were kidnappers and they abducted me because of ransom. They said if I didn’t have money, they would take my life. I asked them how much they wanted, but one of them was furious I was asking them questions. I told them I needed to know what they wanted as ransom. They asked if I had N10m and I told them there was no way I could get that kind of money. I told them I would give them N500,000 from the money gathered from my village. One of them said I was a fool and they told me to sit down.

“Then it started raining heavily and they went away and brought another man. They took something from that man and their attention was on it. So, I removed my blindfold and crept away.

“I believe they are Fulani because, on that Saturday afternoon, they released their cows and came to where we were being held.

“I saw a mast far away and I started trekking towards it. After one hour or more, I got to a road and saw an elderly man on a motorcycle. I asked him to take me to a police station, which he did.”

The woman when asked if Sowore’s brother was killed by the kidnappers said the criminals shot at different cars, adding that she could not tell if anyone died.

“They were harsh and warned us not to look at their faces. They also instructed us not to talk to each other. They beat the men but spared the women. I sustained the wounds on my body when I was trying to find my way out of the bush,” she added.

Culled from www.naijanews.com

Dylan Rich, Young Footballer Collapses, Dies During Match – FA Mourns

 

The Football Association, FA has mourned a young footballer who collapsed and died while playing for his club side.

The incident is said to have happened last Thursday evening.

The deceased, Dylan Rich was playing for his team, West Bridgford Colts against Boston United during the evening hour of the day when he suddenly slumped.

Tests reportedly carried out on Rich revealed he suffered a suspected cardiac arrest and was treated with a defibrillator before he later gave up the ghost.

With great expression of sadness in a statement following the incident, West Bridgford Colts wrote: “It is with great sadness that, following the events of Thursday evening, we have to announce the tragic passing of Dylan Rich.

“This news has left everyone involved with our club devastated and heartbroken.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents Mike and Anna, his sister Lucy and Dylan’s family, friends and teammates.

“The club would like to thank everyone within the Colts and wider football community for the hundreds of heartfelt messages and thoughts that we have received over the past few days.

“The club will provide all the support it can to those players and club officials impacted by this tragic event, but for now there are no further words possible, and we ask everyone to respect the family’s privacy at this incredibly difficult time.”

It was reported that Emergency services were called out to the Regatta Way Sports Ground after the player started showing unwellness. The development leads to the immediate suspension of the match.

Sympathizing with the family of the deceased, the FA said, “We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everybody at the club at this very difficult time.

“We would like to recognize the courageous response of all those who reacted quickly to the situation at the FA Youth Cup fixture on Thursday evening and we thank the emergency services for their efforts.

“We ask that the privacy of both his family and the club is respected at this time.”

‘I’ve Accepted My Fate’—Yoruba Nation Agaitator, Sunday Igboho Speaks From Beninese Prison

Yoruba Nation activist, Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho, says he has accepted his detention at a prison facility in the Republic of Benin as his “journey in life between me and God.”

On July 20, Igboho and Ropo, his wife, were arrested at the Cadjèhoun Airport in Cotonou by Benin Republic’s security forces while he was trying to flee to Germany.

Sunday Igboho

He was detained at the request of the Nigerian government, who had declared him “wanted” after raiding his residence in the Soka area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

A week later, a Benin court blocked the immediate extradition of the self-determination activist to Nigeria while ruling that Igboho be remanded in prison pending further judgement.

Speaking in a leaked audio obtained by SaharaReporters, the Yoruba activist said he wasn’t afraid of being extradited to Nigeria.

He said in Yoruba, “My journey in life is between me and my God, I have accepted my fate where I’m currently. I’m not afraid of anything again, except my God. Even if taken before the Judge, I’ll tell him I’m not afraid of him except God. He can do anything to me.

“Even if it’s Nigeria they want to take me to, I’m not afraid. At least Nnamdi Kanu is there, we are both fighting for the same cause. If they want to take me back to Nigeria, then no problem. I have been winning my cases in Nigeria, even (Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar) Malami was forced to appeal some of them. It got to a stage he claimed he wasn’t aware of DSS (Department of State Services) attack on my house. He claimed he didn’t send them.

“It wasn’t the power of the Beninese government that made me to be here, it was because God wanted it like that. And I’m sure God will soon release me from prison even if all lawyers say they are not ready to defend me again. I’m not afraid of anything or anybody again. If it’s Nigeria, let them take me there. My father was very powerful when he was alive, but he died. He and my mum were very poor. But look at me today, I’m rich.”

Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer Drags DSS To Court, Demands ₦50m

 

One of the lawyers for the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has dragged the Department of State Services, DSS, to court.

It was reported that Maxwell Opara, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1018/2021, sued the secret police for allegedly violating his fundamental human right

The IPOB leader’s counsel is demanding compensation of ₦50 million for the infringement on his right to dignity of the human person.

While praying the court to compel the DSS and its Director-General to issue a written apology and publish same in two national daily newspapers, Opara accused the agency of violating his rights during a visit to his client who is being detained in the DSS facility.

He also asked the court to restrain the security agency from interfering with his right to dignity of the human person and freedom of movement during his routine visit to his client.

Nnamdi Kanu’s Lawyer prayed the court to declare that the DSS whilst in the execution of their duties must respect the fundamental rights of citizens and accordingly abide by the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and the provisions of the Africa Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.

Opara also sort “a declaration that the actions of the men, operatives and officers under the command commission of the Respondents on the 30th of August, 2021 during the Applicant’s visit to see his client in their detention facility, wherefore they commandeered the Applicant to a particular room within their facility; for purposes of alleged bodily search, wherein they forced him to remove his medicated eye-glasses, wedding ring, belt, jacket and shoes and accordingly left him shabbily dressed, harassed, intimidated and humiliated, amounts to a gross violation of the Applicant’s right to dignity of human person as guaranteed under Sections 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Pe0ple Rights (Ratification and enforcement) Act Cap A9 Vol. 1 LFN.

“A declaration that the actions of the men, operatives and officers under the command/commission of the Respondents on the 30th of August, 2021 during the Applicant’s visit to see his client in their detention facility, wherefore they commandeered the Applicant to a particular room within their facility; for purposes of alleged bodily search, wherein they forcibly removed his belt, medicated eye-glasses, wedding ring, jacket and shoes, and subjected him to the humiliation of holding his trousers with his hands, wearing a bathroom slippers meant for awaiting trial inmates and exposed to Air Conditioner inflicted cold for 3 hours, amounts to a gross violation of the Applicant’s right to dignity of human person as guaranteed under Sections 34 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic_ of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and People Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 Vol. 1 LFN.”

Also joined in the suit is the Director-General of the DSS. No date has been assigned yet for the suit.

#BBNaija: “Work on yourself” – Daddy Freeze condemns Boma for being a kiss-and-tell

 

Media personality, Daddy Freeze has advised recently evicted Big Brother Naija housemate, Boma to work on himself.

The 34-year-old actor, Boma Akpofure while in the Big Brother house constantly came under fire on social media for his demeanor in the house.

However, following his eviction last night Boma took to Twitter to apologize to Nigerians for his actions in the house. According to him, he has realized his mistakes and takes full responsibilities for his actions.

“I take full responsibilities for my actions and I’m sorry, it only get better from here”, his tweet read in part.

Reacting to Boma’s public apology, Daddy Freeze advised him to work on himself while noting that he can’t get over the “gossiping, snitching and the kissing and telling”; some of the attitudes Boma portrayed in the house.

“What I can’t get over is the gossiping, snitching and the kissing and telling.... Work on yourself bro”, Daddy Freeze wrote.

See his post below,

Gunmen Kill Security Operatives, Kidnap Council Chairman's Father In Bayelsa

Some yet-to-be-identified gunmen have shot and killed two security operatives attached to a Bayelsa State Joint Task Force, codenamed Operation Doo Akpor. 

The attack took over the weekend at Okarki junction, a Rivers state community neighbouring Bayelsa

Similarly, armed men suspected to be kidnappers on Sunday night abducted Chief Gbalipre Turner, father of the Chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area of the state, Ebinyo Marvin Turner.

Meanwhile, confirming the death of two security personnel in a statement on Monday, the state command public relations officer, SP, Asinim Butswat said the duo died after sustaining bullet wounds in a duel with the gunmen. 

He said: “Operatives of a Joint Task Force codenamed Operation Doo Akpor, repelled an attack by unknown gunmen at a nipping point at Okarki Junction, Yenagoa. 

"On 5 September 2021, at about 2030hours, operatives of Operation Doo Akpor at Okarki Junction came under heavy fire by unknown gunmen, the gallant operatives engaged the hoodlums in a shoot-out and repelled them from attacking the nipping point. Unfortunately, a Police Sargent and an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps sustained fatal gunshots wounds, which led to their death. 

In the other incident, the unknown gunmen suspected to be kidnappers stormed the residence of "Turner on 5th September 2021, at about 2200hours, at Samphino Road, Yenagoa, and abducted him to an unknown destination". 

Butswat said, “Policemen responded swiftly and pursued the kidnappers to Onuebum waterfront, where they abandoned the vehicle used in the kidnap and whisked away the victim in a speedboat.”

“The Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Echeng E. Echeng has ordered for a manhunt to rescue the kidnapped victim and arrest the fleeing gunmen. The CP further appeals to members of the public to volunteer useful information that will assist the Police in their investigation." 

Culled from sahara reporters.

Usifo Ataga: Chidinma’s Trial Moved To High Court

 

The main suspect, Chidinma Ojukwu in the murder trial of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Super TV, Usifo Ataga is to continue her trial in a High Court.

This is as the Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Adeola Adedayo on Monday said it would no longer handle the case but Chidinma and some others have a case to answer regarding Ataga’s death.

Naija News reported the decision of the lower court is based on legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Also, based on the legal advice issued by DPP Director, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, 11 suspects were cleared of complicity in the murder of the Super TV boss while Chidinma and four others are to be tried in a high court.

Others set for trial alongside Chidinma include Adedapo Quadri and Egbuchu Chioma.

More details later…