Christian Association of Nigeria Condemns Gwoza Suicide Attacks

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has expressed profound concern over the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 30 lives and left numerous others injured. The attacks, reportedly carried out by suspected female suicide bombers, targeted a wedding ceremony, a hospital, and a funeral in Gwoza, a town near the border with Cameroon. In response to these devastating incidents, CAN’s President, Daniel Okoh, issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the resurgence of suicide bombings in Nigeria. “The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria is deeply worried by the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno State, which have claimed numerous lives and injured many others,” Okoh stated. “We are concerned about the resurgence of suicide bombing in our country and the threat it poses to the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians. This senseless act of violence is a stark reminder of the evil that terrorism represents, and the need for collective action to defeat it.” Okoh commended the efforts of security agents who have been tirelessly working to contain the threat of terrorism. He urged them not to relent in their efforts, emphasizing the importance of maintaining vigilance to prevent further tragedies. “We commend the security agents who have been working tirelessly to contain the threat of terrorism in our country,” Okoh affirmed. “We encourage them not to relent in their efforts, as every necessary intervention is welcome to prevent a relapse into the dark days of suicide attacks.” CAN called upon the government to intensify its efforts to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions. The association also urged religious leaders and all Nigerians to unite against terrorism and violence, promoting peace, love, and harmony across the nation. “We call on the government to intensify efforts to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions,” the statement added. “We also urge religious leaders and Nigerians to unite against terrorism and violence, promoting peace, love, and harmony.” The attacks in Gwoza serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by terrorism in Nigeria, underscoring the urgent need for concerted efforts to protect communities and prevent further loss of life.

EFCC Warns Against Planned Protest

While still unable to arrest fugitive former kogi state Gov Yahaya Bello, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has switched attention, issuing a strong warning to alleged promoters of a planned protest against the commission. A statement by the commission through its Head, Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, alerted members of the public about plans by some people to stage a protest against the commission. The statement reads, “EFCC wishes to alert the general public on the plan by a shadowy group to instigate a “protest” against the Commission. “In the last couple of days, the group has been actively campaigning in the social media, recruiting impressionable young Nigerians, including students, to take up “arms” against the EFCC. “This insidious campaign is being promoted as resistance to the operational activities of the Commission, especially in respect of the enforcement of the laws dealing with cybercrimes. The EFCC identified those behind the planned protest.  “The Commission, while not averse to protests by citizens, is alarmed by emerging evidence that suggest a grand design by corrupt elements under investigation or prosecution by the Commission to exploit the so-called protest to orchestrate a national uprising that may threaten the peace and security of our dear nation. “As a responsible law enforcement organisation, the Commission will not tolerate any breakdown of law and order anywhere in the country, especially around its office locations across Nigeria. “EFCC, working in concert with sister security agencies, is therefore taking necessary measures to deal with possible threats to the peace and security of Nigeria.  The Commission, however, appeals to parents, guardians and heads of tertiary institutions to take responsibility in ensuring that their wards are not recruited to be used as cannon fodder in a proxy war against the Commission by vested corrupt interests. “The war being waged by the Commission against corruption and cybercrime is to protect the future of the youth of this country. That future is imperilled if Nigeria degenerates further in global reckoning as a den of fraudsters,” the statement concluded.

JUST IN: Two Officers Killed As Gunmen Attack Police Checkpoint In Abia

Two officers of the Nigeria Police Force were reportedly murdered on Friday night when a group of dangerous criminals attacked a police checkpoint at the well-known Opobo Junction, near the Aba-Ikot Ekpene Expressway in Abia State. Another officer reportedly sustained some injuries from the attack, which unsettled residents of the area. It was reported that the police were stationed at the junction for their regular evening patrol before the assailants attacked them. A witness described how the attackers, who were armed and dangerous, arrived in a Sienna SUV. He explained that just a few minutes into the police officers’ regular night shift, multiple police squads arrived in the area as people began to evacuate the scene. SaharaReporters quoted the witness as saying that the event led to widespread panic, forcing local businesses and market vendors to shut down, with some even leaving their goods behind to find safety. The latest attack on security officials is coming a month after gunmen attacked a military checkpoint at the Obikabia Junction in Aba, Abia State. The attackers, who also set fire to the military vehicle, were believed to be carrying out the sit-at-home order issued by IPOB across the Southeast region to commemorate Biafra Day, a holiday celebrated in the area every year. The heavily armed individuals, dressed in black, were reportedly spotted firing at the junction intermittently.

Protest Breaks Out In Rivers Amid Crisis, Airport Blocked

Women from the IPO community in Rivers State have staged a blockade at Port Harcourt airport, leading to significant disruptions and leaving passengers stranded amidst the state’s escalating political tensions. As of Tuesday morning, the women were actively preventing vehicles from entering the airport, causing a long queue of cars carrying passengers. Some of the women were seen at the entrance with cooking utensils, firewood, and ingredients, engaging in food preparation activities. While the women had not communicated with the media at the time of this report, they were heard engaging in loud discussions among themselves. Earlier, the Rivers State Police Command had issued a warning regarding a planned protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE). Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko stated, “The Rivers State Police Command has been informed about the scheduled protest by the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on June 24, 2024. While we respect the right to peaceful assembly, we have credible information suggesting potential infiltration by troublemakers aiming to cause disruption and chaos within the state.” She added, “Therefore, we strongly advise organizers to postpone the protest to prevent any potential breach of peace. The police will take all necessary lawful actions to safeguard lives and property in Rivers State. Any individual or group attempting to disrupt peace will be apprehended and prosecuted.” In response to the security concerns raised by the police, Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, has deployed officers to the headquarters of all 23 Local Government Areas in the state. “These officers will remain stationed there until the threat to peace is deemed to have subsided,” the statement concluded. Following the police advisory, NULGE subsequently called off their planned protest.

Kano Emirate Tussle: Federal agents sack Sanusi’s guards

The Police have taken an active role in the Kano emirate tussle as it descends fully into the arena, sacking the local security arrangement that previously guided the main Palace of the Emir after the reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi. Famously called ‘Yan Tauri’ the bulk of the local security were hunters, drawn from various parts of the state to secure the palace following rumours that federal authorities would forcefully return Aminu Ado-Bayero who is now being protected at the Nasarawa mini Palace by security agencies of the federal government. According to Premium Times, security agents took control of the main emir’s palace, called Gidan Rumfa, on Sunday evening, during an exercise akin to a game of cards between the hunters and the government agents. A security source confirmed to journalists that the hunters had been sacked. “You can see for yourself that the hunters are no longer here,” a police officer at the palace noted. “Some of them left behind their machetes to conceal their identity after they were asked to vacate the palace or face the wrath of the security agents”, a resident said.

Fake Aso Rock Official Arrested For Employment Scam 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says its operatives have arrested a fake official of the State House in Abuja and other suspects for employment scam. Disclosing this in a statement on Friday, EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said the suspects were nabbed for alleged criminal conspiracy, false representation and employment scam. He identified the culprits as Augustine Enamegbai Umogboi, Eleojo Josephine Idakwo, Kingsley Onuh. While Umogboi claimed to be a former Aso Rock staff, Idakwo claimed to be a fake staff of the Ministry of Information in the Registry Unit, while Onuh was said to have concluded his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). “The suspects were arrested separately following investigation on petitions by various victims who were promised jobs as “Directors General” at the Ministry of Communication, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and other ministries,” the statement read. “Others are Omata Sunday and Eljayon Nigeria Limited, one of the companies whose bank account they were using to get money from their victims. Besides, they had different account numbers of different banks through which they were receiving the money amounting to N22,350,000:00k (Twenty Two million, Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only, from different victims. “Umogboi was arrested on June 16, 2024, Idakwo was arrested on April 30, 2024, while Onuh was arrested on April 3, 2024. Many victims narrated their bitter experiences in a series of petitions written to the EFCC.”

Why Police Won’t Evict Ado Bayero – Kano CP Replies Gov Yusuf

The Kano State Police Commissioner, AIG Usaini Gumel, has responded to Governor Abba Yusuf‘s directive on the eviction of the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.  Yusuf had on Thursday night, through the State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, directed the CP to remove the deposed 15th Emir of Kano from the Nasarawa mini palace where he is staying. However, Gumel, in an interview with PUNCH on Friday, said obeying Governor Yusuf’s eviction order would be equivalent to jumping the gun. According to the Commissioner of Police, the same government that gave the order had filed a case at the State High Court on the eviction order, which would come up on Monday, 24th June 2024. He said, “The police will not evict the deposed Emir because the same government has filed a case at the State High Court on the eviction order, which would come up on Monday, 24th June 2024. “The government is jumping the gun because the same government has filed a case on the eviction order, which is coming up on the 24th of June, 2024. So, if we carry out the order, it is like we are pre-empting the court because we don’t know what will happen at the court.”  While the CP had yet to comply with the governor’s directive, one of Bayero’s supporters, who spoke with the aforementioned publication, confirmed the deposed Emir was still in the mini palace receiving the traditional greetings from some traditional rulers loyal to him. The supporter also debunked the report that a bulldozer has been stationed at the palace in readiness to demolish the place. The source said, “Let me tell you, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero is still in the mini palace and as I am talking to you now, he is receiving the “traditional greetings” from those loyal to him. “I heard that there is a rumour going around in some quarters that a bulldozer has been stationed at the Nasarawa mini palace ahead of the demolition. This is a social media propaganda.”

PSC asks police to provide evidence of corruption in recruitment exercise

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has asked the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to provide evidence that the recent constable recruitment exercise was marred by corruption. In a statement on Friday, Ikechukwu Ani, PSC spokesperson, said NPF does not respect the commission’s mandate to recruit personnel for the police. The NPF had said the recruitment exercise was marred by gratification and irregularities. “The Commission demands that the Police should provide verifiable evidence to prove the allegations peddled against it as it is obvious that it is a case of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang it,” the statement reads.

IGP Egbetokun Reacts To Call For His Sack By President Tinubu

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reacted to the calls for him to be sacked by President Bola Tinubu, saying those making the call were entitled to their opinion. The IGP on Thursday, during a meeting with commanders in Abuja, said those calling for his sack are entitled to their opinion and he won’t respond to the calls. He added that he has no problem with those calling for his sack from office as everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Egbetokun, said, “I won’t respond to a call for my removal. Anybody can call for my removal. “Anybody who doesn’t like me can come out tomorrow and say, remove the IG. That’s not a problem. We are all entitled to our opinion.”

BREAKING: Police rescue kidnapped Fouani Brothers

The famous Fouani family, recently traumatized by the abduction of three of their members, can now heave a sigh of relief as the Lagos police command has rescued the three abductees. In a brief statement pushed out a while ago, the police listed those released as Abbas Fouani, Youssef Fouani, and Amtal Fouani. It would be recalled that the brothers, who are part of the prominent Fouani Nigeria Ltd family, were kidnapped on June 14 around 6 pm while travelling by boat from their factory.