Bandits abduct district head, six others in Zamfara

Muhammad Galadima, the district head of Kwangami village and six others in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State have been kidnapped by bandits.

A source told DAILY POST that the armed terrorists abducted the victims on Monday.

According to the source, there was confusion in the village as the residents tried all they could to escape the attack, saying that many people were injured.

He explained that the District Head and the other people were abducted from their houses and taken to the camp of the abductors.

He said, “We are currently living in fear because the bandits are always around us abducting our people and asking for ransom.”

He revealed that just recently, “they (terrorists) abducted 10 of our villagers on their farmlands. They are still in captivity following their inability to pay the ransom.”

SP Mohammed Shehu, the State Police Public Relations Officer, could not be reached for comment on the incident.

Atiku vows to defeat opponents the way Arsenal defeated Chelsea

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has said he will defeat his opponents in the 2023 general elections the way Arsenal triumphed over Chelsea in the English Premier League.

Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday courtesy of a Gabriel Magalhaes goal.

While congratulating the Gunners, the former Vice President, who is also an Arsenal fan, promised to do the same for Nigerians in the February 2023 presidential election

He wrote on his official Twitter handle, “Great win, Arsenal, even after a goalless first half. As Arsenal did in this game for we, the fans, we will also Recover Nigeria for Nigerians.”

Asset forfeiture: FG behind Ekweremadu’s UK ordeal – Ohanaeze alleges

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has accused the Federal Government of masterminding the ordeal of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu in the UK.

Ohanaeze was reacting to the Friday ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering interim forfeiture of 40 properties allegedly linked to Ekweremadu.

In a statement on Sunday, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said it was immoral to attack a man whose hands were tied to his back and unable to defend himself.

Ohanaeze Youth Council lamented what it described as a pattern of persecution and humiliation of people from one part of the country by the EFCC, insisting it was time the monopoly of the agency by one part of country is ended through the immediate appointment of a new EFCC Chairman from the south.

“The ex-parte interim assets forfeiture order by Federal High Court, Abuja, is to say the least most cruel and whoever filed that suit at this time that Ekweremadu is incarcerated and unable to defend himself has no conscience or slightest regard for the cardinal pillars of law and justice, particularly the principle of “audi alteram partem” (“let the other side be heard as well”).

“This has also proved our suspicion all along that some highly placed personalities were behind Ekweremadu’s UK ordeal”, he stated.

Ohanaeze wondered when it became a crime under Nigerian laws to own properties or be involved in properties business, especially since the EFCC could not pin any crime on him for over six years that they have been on Ekweremadu’s matter.

“Ekweremadu’s name was not mentioned anywhere in all the scandals supposedly uncovered by the EFCC since the All progressives Congress came to power.

“Moreover, EFCC’s claim that its investigators traced to Ekweremadu properties that he had dutifully declared in his assets declaration is ridiculous and not different from Mungo Park travelling thousands from Scotland to discover the River Niger.

“With court’s direction to the EFCC to publish the said properties in national dailies for any interested persons to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the government, how is Ekweremadu, who is in custody in the UK access documents or properly brief his lawyers to show that the said properties were not proceeds of crime?

“EFCC’s action, therefore, conforms to the worrisome pattern of assets stripping of southern businesses and individuals because having failed to establish any case against the lawmaker for the past six years, the EFCC saw his UK ordeal over the daughter’s health as an opportunity to strip him of his assets and rubbish his reputation, knowing he is not in a position to defend himself. Is that what our anti-corruption and justice system are about?” the statement read.

The Ohanaeze Youth Council Worldwide equally accused the EFCC of working with Ekweremadu’s prosecutors in the UK to keep him permanently in custody to, among other things, perfect their agenda to destroy the lawmaker economically, politically, and socially.

“It will interest Nigerians to know that in a bid to please the London Metropolitan Police, which has been its benefactor since inception; in a bid to confiscate Ekweremdu’s assets; and for whatever promises of ensuring they secure their future outside EFCC after President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the EFCC penned a malicious letter for the London Metropolitan Police, which the prosecutors tendered against Ekweremadu’s bail in London court back in July.

“In the said letter, the EFCC equally assured the Metropolitan Police that they would move against Ekweremadu’s assets immediately, all in the bid to help the Metropolitan Police present him as a man of means and a flight risk.

“How do the EFCC and London Metropolitan Police explain that Senator Ekweremadu’s matter could not be taken on Monday the 31st October as earlier scheduled and that other days proposed by the Senator’s lawyers were rejected, except Monday the 7th of November, but only for an ex-parte order to be sought and obtained on Friday 4th October, obviously to be weaponised against the prospects of Ekweremadu’s bail on Monday 7th?

“Why is it so auspicious for the EFCC and their London collaborators to orchestrate Ekweremadu’s continuous detention as against allowing him to defend himself in line with the law?

“Why is the EFCC so bent on continually infusing themselves into the case of Ekweremadu’s daughter’s health with extraneous issues?

“Unable to charge Ekweremadu since 2016, shouldn’t an institution truly fighting corruption have demanded for his repatriation so that he could personally answer for himself in Nigerian courts where these matters are alleged to have taken place?” they queried.

The Ohanaeze youth body said it was quite unimaginable that a UK parliamentarian or US congressman could be treated this way by a UK or US agency over a yet to be proven case of conspiracy to traffic a person.

“Their governments would usually insist on the innocence of even ordinary citizens and do all they can to secure their freedom. Even the Nigerian government did exactly the same for Jigawa State-born Zainab Aliyu, who was caught with banned drugs in Saudi Arabia. If the Nigerian Government will not intervene for Ekweremadu as it did for Zainab, why should its agency be working hand-in-glove with Ekweremadu’s prosecutors to keep him continually in detention without bail or accelerated trial?

“From Nuhu Ribadu to Farida Waziri, to Ibrahim Lamorde, to Ibrahim Magu, and now Abdulrasheed Bawa, it has become clear that the monopoly of the leadership of the EFCC by people from the northern part of the country since inception has resulted in the corrosive deployment of the agency against the people from the southern part of the country.

“Could the EFCC have taken this unpatriotic and wicked step against a northern senator fighting a battle of his life, fighting for his reputation, fighting for his freedom and for the survival of a very sick child in a foreign land?

“We therefore hold that now time to end this wicked monopoly at the EFCC and for the south to head the EFCC”, Ohanaeze Youth Council concluded.

Tinubu: If APC has any solution they would’ve solved current crisis – Peter Okoye warns

Popular music star, Peter Okoye of the P-Square has warned Nigerians against being deceived by the ruling All Progressives, Congress., APC in the forthcoming presidential election.

In a tweet on his verified Twitter handle on Sunday, Peter Square pointed out that if the ruling party knows the solution to the current challenges rocking the country, they would have offered it.

Recall that the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinibu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima had repeatedly told Nigerians that their administration would put an end to all the challenges in the country f the country if elected in 2023.

But Peter Square while disputing their claims, asked Nigerians particularly the electorates to use their common sense.

He urged Nigerians to support the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi who according to him has better capacity.

He wrote, “If another APC has the solution they would have helped the current APC in their mess. It is just common sense.

“Don’t waste another 8 years! @NgLabour @PeterObi”

Man electrocuted while destroying campaign billboard in Ibadan

A middle aged man whose name has not been revealed has been electrocuted while allegedly destroying a campaign billboard of one of the gubernatorial candidates in Oyo State.

The man died as a result of the electric shock when he allegedly destroyed the campaign billboard erected in Ibadan.

It was recalled that there are reports of destruction of campaign billboards of candidates of various political parties across the State as the 2023 general elections draw nearer.

Some of the campaign billboards that have been vandalised, destroyed or totally removed in recent times are those of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) All Progressives Congress (APC) Accord Party (AP) New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The man whose identity has not been revealed, was destroying a campaign billboard of Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, the gubernatorial candidate of Accord in the 2023 elections when he was electrocuted.

The man got electrocuted when he touched the electric wire beside the billboard at the Challenge area of Ibadan on Friday.

An eyewitness, who begged not to be named, noted that the residents of the area had already warned the man against destruction of the campaign billboard.

The source said, “We had cautioned him against destroying peoples’ properties around.

“Suddenly, we saw him shaking, and no one could move closer to him as it is obvious that he had mistakenly touched the electric wire beside the billboard”.

Media Director, Bayo Adelabu Campaign Organisation, Mr. Bolaji Tunji, confirmed the incident to DAILY POST Saturday morning.

Tunji explained that there have been different reports of destruction of campaign billboards in the State. He added that Adelabu expressed deep regret about the incident.

Tunji said, “We heard of the unfortunate incident. There have been different reports on what the guy was doing. Some said he was fixing the billboard while others said he was vandalising it. Whichever it is, no one wishes for the death of anyone, not any citizen of Oyo State. Even if he was vandalising the board, we would rather engage him positively rather than wish him that fate.

“Oloye Bayo Adelabu expresses deep regret about the incident and prays for the peaceful repose of the soul of the deceased. May the Almighty Allah accept him in Aljanah firdaus. His heartfelt condolences go to the family of the unfortunate individual”.

Man arrested for masquerading as a woman and stealing from unsuspecting men

Police in Uganda have arrested a man for masquerading as a woman and stealing from unsuspecting men. 

The man, who was dressed as a woman was arrested this week after an unidentified guy reported him for impersonation.

In order to confirm his gender, the police ordered him to take off the outfits. 

So far, 57 men have positively identified the suspect for having defrauded them with 22 claiming to fallen victim more than thrice. 

 

 

2023: Stop being irresponsible, disrespectful – Atiku warns Shettima

Atiku has warned the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Kashim Shettima not to be “irresponsible and disrespectful”.

Atiku said in light of a recent comment by Shettima, the administration of Bola Tinubu will be “anti-entrepreneurship

Shettima had criticised one of the businesses of Abubakar at an event in Lagos. He said being an owner of a table water company does not mean he understands the economy.

“And believe me, the ability to sell bottled water doesn’t make one an expert on the economy,” Shettima had said.

But in a statement signed by Paul Ibe, his media adviser, Abubakar said any business should be valued.

Watch your tongue

Abubakar said politics should not make anyone utter “irresponsible statements”.

“It is with utter dismay that we listened to the presidential candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu and his running mate talk condescendingly about other presidential candidates at a gathering that they invited members of the private sector to on Tuesday,” the statement reads.

“The remarks from the candidates of the APC show gross irresponsibility and disrespect.

“It is indicative that the Tinubu-Shettima administration will be anti-entrepreneurship and business.

“One would have thought that the duo would use the advantage of such a gathering to talk about solutions that their party, APC, has foisted on the country. Rather, they went on the ultra highway of political indecency.

“Any business that produces products, creates jobs and delivers dividends, especially in this era of the APC administration when the country is bleeding jobs is an asset and should not be mocked.

“It is irrelevant if it is a small business or a big business. And for Shettima, it is more shameful he will denigrate business that employs large chunk of people in the Northeast.

“Even Atiku’s opponents have acknowledged the business resume. That has seen him being engaged in businesses covering farming, animal feed, beverages, banking, logistics, polymer and plastics, education, among others. Employing thousands directly and hundreds of thousands indirectly.”

Apologize to Nigerians

The PDP presidential candidate said Shettima should apologize to Nigerians, especially those who benefit from his business.

“Politics does not confer on anyone the license to make irresponsible statements,” Abubakar said.

He said Shettima should have used the opportunity to discuss what he and Tinubu intend to do for Nigerians.

He said Shettima “chose to embarrass their guests, using their audience to play vile political games”.

“For someone who self-appoints as the APC national leader, it is ridiculous that the presidential candidate of the APC failed to proffer solutions to the economic woes that his party has foisted on Nigerians in the past seven years,” the statement reads.

“Unlike Tinubu who sat idly by and watched his APC ruin Nigeria to the current sorry state, the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has been consistent in proffering solutions to the myriads of ineffective policy options of the APC administration.

“Atiku, it was, who first raised the alarm about the debt burden that the APC has thrown Nigeria into. It was also Atiku who continued to call the attention of the nation to the need to diversify the economy away from heavy dependence on the exploration of crude oil. Atiku, again, was the one who said that the quickest path to lift the majority of Nigerians out of the poverty belt, is for the government to give incentives to the private sector in order for them to create more jobs for Nigerians.

“Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, Atiku pioneered the private donor relief funds. Which opened the gateway for other Nigerians of means to follow suit. In providing succor to people who were worst hit by attendant self-isolation in management of the pandemic.”

Nnamdi Kanu: Amaechi unhappy with you in death – IPOB blasts Buhari

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari of failing to grant the dying wish of First Republic Aviation Minister Mbazulike Amaechi.

On several occasions, Amaechi had urged Buhari to release IPOB’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Despite his appeals and court ruling discharging and acquitting Kanu, the Nigerian Government has refused to release the IPOB leader.

However, IPOB said Amaechi was unhappy with Buhari for ignoring his appeal to release Kanu.

A statement by IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, said Buhari refused to release Kanu due to his hatred for the Igbo people.

The statement reads partly: “IPOB worldwide will not forget the effort of our father towards the release of our great liberator, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who was kidnapped from Kenya to Nigeria by the Federal Government.

“In spite of his age and failing health, he led Igbo elder’s visit to Aso Rock, Abuja, to plead with the Federal Government headed by Buhari to release KANU as his last wish. But the President claimed that only the judiciary would decide MNK’s fate.

“Even after the same Court has discharged and acquitted Kanu, the same Buhari ignored the request of a dying old man and the Court verdict because of incurable hatred towards Ndigbo.

“Buhari and his Fulani-controlled Federal Government must understand that Mbazulike is not happy with them even in death for ignoring his appeal for the release of Kanu.”

Kanu has been locked up since June last year when he was arrested in Kenya.

Courts had ruled for his release, but the Nigerian Government refused, stressing that he is a security risk.

Alleged N1.4bn fraud: Kogi politician all smiles as EFCC moves him and two other suspects from Abuja to Lagos (photos)

The New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, candidate for the Kogi State House of Assembly, Ismaila Yusuf Atumeyi, who was arrested alongside two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in Abuja for an alleged mega bank fraud, has been moved to Lagos.

 

 

A statement released by the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, says Atumeyi and the other suspects were flown into Lagos in the early hours of Wednesday, November 2, 2022 in continuation of the investigation into the scam.

According to Uwujaren, Atumeyi is billed to be interrogated by another team of operatives at the Lagos Command of the Commission.

Atumeyi and two others, Joshua Dominic and Abdulmalik Salau Femi, a former bank employee, were arrested by the EFCC for allegedly hacking into the system of a commercial bank and defrauding the institution of over N1.4billion.

The EFCC had in a statement on Tuesday, November 1, 2022 disclosed that it recovered ?326million and $140,500 USD from Atumeyi during a sting operation at his hideout in Queens Estate, Gwarinpa, Abuja, while $470,000 was recovered from Abdulmalik in Lagos.

 

Obi has capacity to make things work, says Ortom

The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has said the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, has the capacity to make things work.

Ortom said this when he received the former governor of Anambra State in Makurdi, the Benue State capital on Wednesday.

“If Nigeria needs to make a choice, you are one of the finest candidates that we have in this country. In terms of education, in terms of character, in terms of performance, in terms of reaching out, in terms of being a pan-Nigerian, in terms of industrialization, passion to ensure that our country is liberated from where we are; out of insecurity to security, and out of economic woes to economic vibrancy and out of lack to adequate social life, you have the capacity to make things work,” Ortom said.

Ortom’s position about Obi weeks ago

Ortom had said a similar thing when Obi vicited him last month at the Benue Government House in Makurdi.

He had said, “Let us be factual. Let us be frank with ourselves because we are toying with our future. A country of over 200 million people deserves a better leadership that is proactive, has foresight and vision to make things work for our country,” he said.

“I look forward that these three candidates of the various political parties will meet and say ‘look, let this man go’.

“I am in PDP and I am working for PDP. But I tell you, if I was not in PDP, you will see me working for Peter Obi. But I am in PDP. Let’s see how things work out.”

Obi visits Benue flood victims

The recent visit to the state by Obi was to commiserate with victims of flood who had become internally displaced in the state.

Thanking Ortom for the warm welcome, Obi tweeted, “My most sincere thanks to my dear friend and brother H.E @GovSamuelOrtom, for his graciousness, warm hospitality and friendship. Visiting Benue is always a pleasure. -PO.”