Bandits Invade Nigerian Mosque, Kidnap Worshippers
Bandits have abducted about 30 worshippers in one of the mosques in Tsafe town, the headquarters of Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State. The bandits invaded the mosque around 5 a.m. on Thursday when the people were about to start the morning prayer. ”We were about to start the morning prayer today, Thursday when suddenly they (bandits) entered into the mosque and directed everybody to go out and follow them. “Everybody scampered for safety but the bandits blocked everywhere and warned us that they would kill anybody who tried to run away. “I was able to jump out of the window and ran quickly into one of the uncompleted buildings near the mosque where I hid myself”, an eyewitness, Garba said. Garba maintained that the bandits left their motorcycles far away from the mosque so that the worshippers would not notice their movement. “They came on foot, leaving their motorcycles outside the town so that they would not attract the attention of the people of the area. “They later marched the worshippers to their motorcycles and took them to the forest,” he added.
Security Tightened in Chad’s Capital Amidst Rising Tensions
Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, is witnessing heightened security measures with roadblocks and military deployment around the Socialist Party Without Borders’ headquarters, following a deadly attack on the security agency. The junta-led government accused the opposition party of orchestrating the assault. Soldiers surrounded the PSF headquarters, led by Yaya Dillo, a cousin of transitional president Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno. The attack near the party’s HQ adds to the escalating tensions between the government and opposition. Access to the presidential palace has been restricted, and schools in central N’Djamena are closed. The telephone network has been facing disruptions since Wednesday, while mobile internet access remained suspended. Yaya Dillo denied any involvement in the security agency attack, dismissing the allegations as politically motivated lies. The government had accused a PSF member of an “assassination attempt against the president of the supreme court.” Despite the turmoil, Chad announced a presidential election on May 6, contested by both Deby Itno and Dillo. The transitional president, Mahamat Deby Itno, initially pledged a return to civilian rule but later extended the transition period by two years.
Road Blocked As Kaduna Residents Protest Bandits Attack
Residents of Goningora in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State have blocked the Abuja-Kaduna highway following the attack on the community by bandits. Following the attack on the night of Wednesday, February 28th, 2024, several members of the community were said to have been kidnapped and several injured. Channels Television reports that angry residents took to the streets on Thursday morning, blocking the busy Abuja-Kaduna highway. The development has caused heavy traffic on the road, with many motorists stranded. Two people, including a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force, were reportedly killed in the attack. The latest attack on the Goningora community comes barely a week after soldiers killed a notorious bandit, Kingpin, Boderi Isyaku and some of his fighters in the same Chikun local government. A military armoured vehicle was said to have been set ablaze by the bandits when soldiers attempted to repel them.
Tinubu promises Restructuring Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated his determination to restructure Nigeria but emphasised that the proper foundations must be laid in order for the goals to align properly. Tinubu assured that with the structures put in place by his administration, the country will soon be better off, and Nigerians will be out of the current economic hardship. The President stated this at a meeting with the National Leader of Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, at his country home in Akure, Ondo State capital, on Wednesday. The meeting with the leaders of the mainstream Yoruba group was held behind closed doors. In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of the organisation, Jare Ajayi, and disclosed to newsmen, the core issues on how to move the country forward were the focus of the meeting. According to Ajayi, the President said, “I prayed for it, I danced for it, I campaigned for it, and I got it. I know the enormous amount of responsibility, so don’t pity me, Baba, just sit down and relax.” “He (Tinubu) assured Nigerians that the struggle he undertook and that he is trying to build the structures that will not be reversed. “He said that the structure he is trying to put in place in Nigeria economically, socially, and politically would be such that it would bring Nigeria back to where it was supposed to be. “We should eat the food we grow. Doing so would prevent us from depending on foods from foreign sources. A nation that fully depends on food from outside cannot get it,” Ajayi added. Fasoranti, who commended Tinubu for keeping his word to return to his residence after emerging as President, stated, “Your performance so far has shown that you understand the full gravity of your mandate, which is to show the Nigerian people that a good government is possible. “We seek, therefore, a true Federal Republic that would reflect fiscal federalism. If the derivation principle is good for oil, why is it not good for value-added tax, for example?”
Senate Denies Anambra State NDDC Membership
The Senate has dismissed a proposal to add Anambra State to the membership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), leading to a tense debate among lawmakers. The rejection came after Senator Tony Nwoye, representing Anambra North, presented a bill seeking an amendment to the NDDC Act to include Anambra State. Senator Nwoye argued that Anambra, as an oil-producing state, deserved membership in the NDDC, citing its consistent receipt of 13% derivation since 2021. However, his proposal faced resistance from several senators who argued that the NDDC primarily serves as a regional or geographical intervention body and is not solely for oil-producing states. Senator Jibrin Isah, popularly known as Echocho, pointed out that Kogi State, also an oil-producing state, had been receiving 13% derivation since October 2022. The debate escalated as Senator Nwoye and Senator Echocho clashed over the inclusion of Kogi State in the discussion. Echocho urged Nwoye to focus on Anambra’s case and not drag Kogi into the argument. Attempting to provide clarity, Senate President Godswill Akpabio cautioned against the potential implications of granting Anambra State NDDC membership, suggesting that it could set a precedent for other states like Lagos, which also have oil wells, to demand inclusion. Akpabio also noted that the National Boundary Commission would need to assess whether Anambra’s proximity to the Niger Delta warranted its membership in the commission. Following the contentious deliberations, the bill for Anambra State’s inclusion in the NDDC membership was put to a voice vote, with a majority of senators voting against it, effectively shelving the proposal for the time being.
Release Nnamdi Kanu now, Sunday Igboho Tells Tinubu
Yoruba activist Sunday Igboho has called on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The plea, delivered through a viral video on Tuesday, coincided with Kanu’s trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Kanu, who appeared in court on February 26, 2024, for the first time since a Supreme Court ruling on December 15, 2023, has been in custody since June 2021. Igboho emphasized Kanu’s innocence, urging an end to political maneuvers and highlighting the need for Kanu to be reunited with his family. Igboho stated in the video, “Release Nnamdi Kanu. Stop politics. This guy didn’t do anything. Today is February 27, 2024. Release him, let him go, and stay with his family. This guy just fights for his people in the Southeast like me that I’m fighting for my people in Yorubaland. Release him, let him go. Stop these political games. Release Kanu, let him go home, please release him.”
Telecoms Begin Blocking Of Sims Not Linked To NIN
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has emphasized its directive for telecom operators to disconnect phone subscribers not linked to their National Identification Numbers (NIN) by February 28, 2024. Speaking at the 45th Kaduna International Trade Fair, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Dr Aminu Maida, stressed the importance of linking NIN to SIM for national security reasons. Maida said: “To this end, the National Communication Commission has directed all telecommunication operators to bar phone lines of subscribers whose lines are not linked to their NINs on or before February 28, 2024,” he added. This, the executive vice chairman said, was apt as the theme resonated with the principles and objectives of the commission in promoting local content development in the telecom industry. Maida also said the NCC was committed to protecting consumers’ rights while ensuring their satisfaction and noting that the commission has created a universally acceptable environment to access “affordable and equitable service and supports the nation’s economic growth.” “As a regulator of the telecommunications sector in the country, the Commission carries out its functions to ensure service availability, affordability, and sustainability for all categories of consumers, who are leveraging on ICT/Telecoms to drive personal and business activities,” he said.
Oronsanye Report: Nigerians Won’t Lose Their Jobs – FG
The Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has said that the implementation of the 12-year-old Steve Oronsaye report will not lead to the retrenchment of workers. He stated that the essence of the implementation was not to retrench workers but to maximise the agencies’ effectiveness and efficiency and reduce costs. Idris disclosed this during his remarks at the Ministerial Press Briefing on Wednesday in Abuja. The Federal Executive on Monday approved the implementation of the recommendations of the Oronsaye panel on the restructuring and rationalisation of the Federal Government’s agencies and commissions. The government said the implementation of the policy would involve the merging, subsuming, and scrapping of agencies with similar functions. Sharing more details on the development, the Information Minister said, “There are some aspects of the report that have been reviewed, but those aspects that have to do with merging, scrapping, and subsuming have already been undertaken. “Now, the whole idea is that the government wants to reduce costs and improve service delivery. “That does not necessarily mean that government is out to retrench workers and throw people into the labour market. That is not the original intention of the government. “The intention is that efficiency has to be brought in, because, some of these agencies are actually having an overlap in their operations. We are doing this for people to have the benefit of democracy.”
Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu Arrives PDP Headquarters, Demands Certificate Of Return
After a controversial election that produced the deputy governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, as the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) in the upcoming Edo governorship election, the deputy governor, today arrived the PDP’s headquarters, demanding to be issued a certificate of return. Shaibu, who is currently at the National Secretariat of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), insisted that he should be given the party’s certificate of return, saying he legitimately won the gubernatorial primary held last week. Speaking at the party’s Secretariat, the embattled deputy governor said: “Today is the day set aside for the collection of certificate of return for the winner of the primary. I understand someone came yesterday and was given. Well, the court will decide.” Starnews NG earlier reported that the deputy governor emerged the winner of the parallel governorship primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state conducted at his residence in Benin City, the state capital. However, Asue Ighodalo, a businessman was declared winner of another PDP Edo gubernatorial election which was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC). The returning officer, Bartholomew Moses, who announced Shaibu as the winner of the primary election, said the deputy governor won the exercise with over 300 votes. Some party delegates who were denied access after arrivinh at the lawn tennis court of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City, subsequently moved to Shaibu’s residence where the election was held. As of the time of filing this report, it was not clear whether the party, PDP would grant Shaibu his request and issue him the certificate of return of the governorship primary and consequently the candidate of the party for the Edo State governorship election.
Presidency Reveals Why Tinubu Sons Were Included In FG Delegation To Qatar
The presidency has defended President Bola Tinubu‘s decision to include his sons among the delegation going with him to Qatar. President Tinubu’s sons, Seyi and Yinka, were among the delegation members to travel with the President on a state visit to Doha, Qatar. The Nigerian leader will visit the Arabian country for a business and investment meeting scheduled for March 2 and 3, 2024, but will be accompanied by 38 others, including his sons. Following the development, the President came under fire for including his sons in the delegation to Qatar for a state visit. Reacting in a post via his official X handle on Tuesday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Digital/New Media, O’tega Ogra, said the President’s decision was not a new thing and not uncommon. Ogra said that some world leaders take their children on state visits to educate them about world affairs and different cultures, and to maintain a semblance of family life, despite the demands of public office. The presidential aide, therefore, asked Nigerians to stop majoring in minor things and focus on relevant issues. He wrote: “It is not uncommon for children of world leaders to accompany their parents on foreign trips. In fact, it is the norm. Canadian PM Trudeau is known to travel with his family on official trips abroad. Same with UK PMs – even if somewhat muted. “From the public image and diplomacy angle, bringing family members can soften a leader’s public image and aid in diplomatic relations by showcasing a relatable, family-oriented side. “For some leaders, taking their children on such trips is a way of educating them about world affairs and different cultures. “Others do it to maintain some semblance of family life, despite the demands of public office, and for security considerations. “The Obamas, Clintons, Bushs, Trumps and others went on tons of foreign trips whilst in office with their families. “We really need to stop majoring in minors in the name of castigating everything.”