Troops of Operation Whirl Punch have killed several bandits in another coordinated attack in the Giwa local government area of Kaduna State.
The state’s Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement on Friday in Kaduna
He said the coordinated ground and air strikes killed the bandits including some of their leaders at an identified meeting point near the Bula community within the Yadi forest in Giwa locality.
The commissioner added that the strike followed credible intelligence on the activities of the bandits in Kaduna-Katsina border areas.
Aruwan said: “Close monitoring followed, and at the agreed time, the bandits were sighted bearing arms and approaching the location on motorcycles.
“Further exploration confirmed the movements and convergence of the bandits in a group of about seven to 10 members at a hub in the location.
“Upon verification, the location was struck and scores of the bandits including one Alhaji Kachalla Ragas, an ally and childhood friend of the previously neutralised Buharin Yadi were confirmed to have been neutralised by the strike.”
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Troops kill bandits in Kaduna coordinated attack
Rivers Reps caucus disowns member over attack on Ugochinyere
A member of the Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, has distant the group from a statement issued by one of its members, Dumnamene Dekor, calling on the leadership of the Green Chamber to call Ikenga Ugochinyere, to order over his incessant comments on the crisis rocking the state.
It was earlier reported that Dekor had issued a statement calling on the leadership of the House to call Ugochinyere to order over his comment on the ongoing Rivers crisis.
In a counter statement on Friday, Abiante, who represents Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in Rivers state, said Dekor has no permission to speak for the group.
Abiante, who described himself as the leader and spokesman for the group, said Dekor “was never instructed to speak on behalf of the caucus.”
He noted that the leadership of the caucus has always been based on seniority, adding that Dekor, a second-term lawmaker, is therefore not entitled to lead the group while there are senior colleagues.
The statement read in part, “The Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives read with dismay a statement purportedly issued by the member representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Dumnamene Dekor, calling for the discipline of the coordinator of the G-60 lawmakers in the Green Chamber, Hon Ugochinyere Ikenga over his position on vexed issues in the polity.
“While we wouldn’t stand against the popular phrase, ‘Everybody is entitled to his opinion’, we refused to collectively accede to Dekor’s self-serving stands as he has never been elected by the Rivers State caucus to speak on our behalf.
“It is a trite knowledge and backed by precedence that the leadership of the Rivers State caucus in the House of Representatives and the National Assembly are based on seniority. Hon Deekor being a second-term lawmaker, cannot arrogate to himself the position of Caucus leader in the midst of 3rd and 4th term lawmakers.
“For the records, Dekor was properly elected in 2019, having lost his seat in 2015 at the Court of Appeal, which barred him from being a member of the 8th Assembly. He was recently reelected in 2023 to serve his second term in the House. This alone disqualifies him from jostling for the leadership of the Rivers State caucus.
“We call on the general public to discount Dekor’s statement as vituperations of a god being.”
He added, “The National Assembly is not guided by village council’s rules, and as such, everyone reserves the right to make contributions in line with his innate conviction. Hon Ugochinyere has, in the estimation of right-thinking Nigerians, proven himself in the act of quality representation.
“Dekor should realise that a member of the National Assembly is not only representing his immediate constituency but also the entire Nigeria as he is entitled to make comments or speak on issues that threaten the peace of any part of the country for which we all took an oath to preserve and protect.
“Dekor, who claims to be an experienced legislator, should have known this fact and allowed Ugochinyere to speak on matters that affect any part of the country as a bonafide member of the National Assembly.”
Hit-and-run driver injures FRSC officer in Osun
An officer of the Federal Road Safety Corps was on Friday injured by a driver along Osogbo/Gbongan Road, near the Osun Government Secretariat in Abere.
The incident occurred when FRSC officers at a roadblock near the Osun Sector Headquarters waved the driver to stop, but he ignored their signals and continued driving at top speed.
Despite the officers’ attempts to stop him, the driver recklessly hit the FRSC officer and dragged him along the road until he fell off the vehicle.
Two eyewitnesses, identified simply as Fatai and Ramota Olagunju, who were roadside traders, near the Osun Government Secretariat, told According Online that the driver did not wait after the officer fell off, adding that the vehicle sped off towards Akoda Junction.
Fatai further said, “The incident happened between 9 am and 9:30 am today (Friday). The driver was coming from the Osogbo end of the road facing the Gbongan end.
“Some road safety men who usually stay on the road near the corps head office had resumed at their duty post when the vehicle emerged and the driver was flagged down. But he didn’t stop
“Rather than stop, he moved towards one of the officers and hit him. After hitting the officer, he dragged him on the road as the driver headed towards Akoda Junction.
“The badly injured officer eventually fell off the vehicle. His colleagues immediately mobilised and chased the vehicle that hit their colleague. But I can’t say if they eventually caught the perpetrator.”
When contacted for confirmation, FRSC Osun Sector Commander, Inyang Umoh, confirmed the incident, noting that the injured officer was in stable condition.
Umoh in a terse response to the enquiry by According Online, further said, “The officer is in stable condition
“We are making efforts to get him (the driver of the vehicle). He has not been arrested.”
Politicians bribing voters hinders good governance
A former speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Prof. Mojeed Alabi, has blamed the politics of “stomach infrastructure,” for the low delivery of good governance in the country.
Alabi asserted while delivering the 40th anniversary lecture of Ede Unique Club, in Ede town.
He said that the politics of stomach infrastructure, which entails public office seekers giving handouts to curry votes, had prevented Nigerians from asking their leaders questions on good governance.
Alabi said that due to the politics of stomach infrastructure, the electorate no longer cares about good governance, but only what they get as immediate benefits.
“By the time you reduce vote-catching strategies to merely inviting people to your house, killing cow, feeding, and giving them one or two Naira to vote, it compromises the future of what they ordinarily should have asked for,” he said.
Alabi, who is the current Provost of College of Law, Osun State University, said that due to the politics of stomach Infrastructure, people no longer ask questions about the capacity of politicians vying for elective posts.
He said that instead of the electorate asking questions on whether the aspirant has the capacity to lead, “what they are after is whether the person has money.”
Alabi said that stomach infrastructure was a function of a debased society and put the blame on both the electorate and the leadership.
He appealed to political leaders to always put the interest of the masses first by providing them with the real dividends of democracy.
In his remarks, Alhaji Ganiu Omowabi, the President of the club, said the group in the last 40 years of its existence had been known as a breeding ground for leaders in various fields of endeavours.
Omowabi said the group, which was founded in 1983 as an organisation of young men, had grown to become one of the longest-surviving bodies of its kind.
The president said that as part of activities to celebrate its anniversary, the club had donated N5.5 million worth of solar power facility to Ede General Hospital.
He tasked other non-governmental organisations to continue to support the government in providing basic amenities to the people.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the highlight of the event was the presentation of a fellowship award on infrastructure development to Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Other personalities were also given a special recognition award, including Mr Wale Abass, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police.
(NAN)
Ighodalo’s campaign committee member dumps PDP
A member of the Asue Ighodalo Campaign Committee for the Edo governorship election on September 21, Prince Felix Isuku, has resigned his membership in the Peoples Democratic Party.
Isuku’s resignation is coming two days after the State Working Committee led by the state party chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, on Wednesday, expelled a former deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, a former House of Representatives member, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama and the Vice Chairman South South of the party, Dan Orbih, for anti-party activities.
Isuku’s resignation was contained in a letter to the party state Chairman, Secretary, Local Government Chairman and Ward 4 Chairman of Owan East Local Government.
He attributed his resignation to what he described as a “high level of a power struggle that started with the fractionalisation and metamorphosed into an unprecedented and unending faction in the party.
The letter dated May 24, 2024, reads in part, “I write to inform you that after extensive consultations with my enlarged political family in Owan constituency in Owan East and Owan West, I have decided to formally resign as a member of the PDP.”
“The reason for my resignation is because of the high level of a power struggle that started with the fractionalisation of the party and metamorphosed into an unprecedented and unending faction or political divide that has continued to affect the internal politics of the party.
“Another reason is the continued megalomaniac attitude of some party leaders, which cannot be ignored”.
Isuku said he had lost interest in the leadership of the party as well as confidence in the ability of the party to win any credible elections.
He said he has worked tirelessly for the PDP using his resources and influence to wholeheartedly support the party, especially during electoral processes.
He said his interests and ideologies no longer aligned with those of the party, adding, “A house divided against itself can never stand, hence my resignation.”
Saudi official defends Hajj management after over 1,100 deaths
A senior Saudi official defended the Gulf kingdom’s management of the Hajj pilgrimage on Friday after various countries reported more than 1,100 deaths, many attributed to high heat.
“The state did not fail, but there was a misjudgement on the part of people who did not appreciate the risks,” the official told AFP in the government’s first comments on the deaths.
An AFP tally on Friday, compiling official statements and reports from diplomats involved in the response, put the toll at 1,126, more than half of them from Egypt.
The senior Saudi official said the Saudi government had confirmed 577 deaths for the two busiest days of hajj: Saturday, when pilgrims gathered for hours of prayers in the blazing sun on Mount Arafat, and Sunday, when they participated in the “stoning of the devil” ritual in Mina.
“This happened amid difficult weather conditions and a very harsh temperature,” the official said while acknowledging that the 577 figure was partial and did not cover all of hajj, which formally ended on Wednesday.
The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and all Muslims with the means must complete it at least once before they die.
Saudi officials had earlier said 1.8 million pilgrims took part this year, a similar total to last year, and that 1.6 million came from abroad.
– Permit-less pilgrims –
Hajj permits are allocated to countries on a quota system and distributed to individuals via a lottery.
Even for those who can obtain them, the steep costs spur many pilgrims to attempt the hajj without a permit, though they risk arrest and deportation if caught by Saudi security forces.
The irregular route, which can save pilgrims thousands of dollars, has become increasingly popular since 2019 when Saudi Arabia introduced a general tourism visa, making it easier to enter the Gulf kingdom.
Before this year’s hajj, Saudi officials said they had cleared more than 300,000 would-be pilgrims from Mecca who did not have hajj permits.
But later, the senior Saudi official said on Friday, “an order came from above that we allow people who arrived at the gates of the holy places” to participate.
“We can estimate the number of unregistered pilgrims at around 400,000,” the official said.
“Almost all of them from one nationality,” the official added, an apparent reference to Egypt.
Arab diplomats told AFP earlier this week that Egyptians accounted for 658 deaths, 630 of them unregistered pilgrims.
– Scorching temperatures –
The hajj, whose timing is determined by the Islamic lunar calendar, fell again this year during the scorching Saudi summer.
Temperatures reached 51.8 degrees Celsius (125 Fahrenheit) at the Grand Mosque in Mecca on Monday, according to the national meteorological centre.
Unregistered pilgrims did not have access to amenities meant to make the pilgrimage more bearable, including air-conditioned tents.
Unregistered Egyptian pilgrims told AFP this week that in some cases they struggled to access hospitals or hail ambulances for loved ones, some of whom ended up dying.
The pilgrims also said they could not access official hajj buses — the only transportation around the holy sites — without paying exorbitant, off-the-books fees.
Forced to walk for many kilometres under the blazing sun, some reported seeing motionless bodies on the roadside and pilgrims collapsing because of apparent exhaustion.
The senior Saudi official told AFP on Friday that there was no blanket ban on unregistered pilgrims using the buses.
“There is no ban on them using the buses but these buses are prepared for the registered pilgrims that we know are coming,” the official said.
The unregistered pilgrims “walk along bus routes that are not set up with food or medical services like ambulances. It’s a highway for the buses.”
AFP
FG faults US lawmakers’ claim on Binance chief’s health
The Federal Government has refuted claims by United States lawmakers that Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan’s health is deteriorating in prison and lacks access to quality medical care.
Gambaryan is currently detained in Nigeria on charges of tax evasion and other financial crimes.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris in a statement on Friday, described the claims as false and baseless.
Idris emphasised that Gambaryan’s detention was lawful under court orders.
He asserted that Gambaryan receives necessary medical attention and benefits from consular services provided by his home government.
“It has become necessary for the Federal Government of Nigeria to address claims that Binance Executive, Tigran Gambaryan is being held in unsavoury prison conditions in Nigeria, or that his health is deteriorating.
“We would like to state that these allegations are false and should be ignored. Gambaryan is being held in lawful detention and has access to quality medical care whenever required.
“He also has full access to consular services from his home government,” Idris stated.
The government emphasised its commitment to due process, stating that any modifications to Gambaryan’s detention status must be adjudicated through legal channels.
“The Federal Government will not do anything to jeopardise his fundamental rights to lawful trial, and to quality care, including healthcare, even as he undergoes trial by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“It is worth reiterating that his detention is a court-ordered one, and only the court can alter the terms or direct his release,” the minister stated.
Idris reiterated that their actions against Binance align with international norms and sovereign responsibilities exercised by other nations.
This was contrary to allegations of poor detention conditions and deteriorating health for Gambaryan.
Earlier, US lawmakers French Hill, and Chrissy Houlahan called for the humanitarian release of Gambaryan.
The lawmakers’ appeal followed a Wednesday’s visit to Gambaryan at Kuje prison, where they were alarmed by his deteriorating health and the conditions of his detention.
They claimed that Gambaryan was suffering from malaria and double pneumonia and was being denied adequate medical attention.
The legislators emphasised the urgency of their request, describing the prison conditions as “horrible.”
PDP chair charges youths to work for victory
The Chairman of the Ondo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, Tola Alabere, has expressed optimism that the party was sure of victory in the November 16 governorship election in the state.
Alabere said for the party to achieve victory, the youths of the party need to work selflessly and tirelessly.
The chairman gave the charge on Friday at the PDP youth stakeholders meeting and inauguration of the committee under the PDP Youth Directorate, held at the party secretariat, Akure the state capital.
Alabere said, ” I’m happy because I never knew we still have a large number of youths in the PDP. If youths are given the opportunity they will perform, we have special youths in PDP, we don’t breed rogues as PDP youths.
“We have a great task ahead of us, but this is the time for you to work selflessly for the party, don’t wait for money before working. We have to work to gain the opportunity. If we work, we will reap it. You have to engage yourself and pray for the party so that on the 17 of November, an announcement will be made that PDP has won.
“You have to go out and canvass for the PDP. The PDP is the only party that can deliver the country. When you work, you will be rewarded. This election is a must-win for us. If we fail, that will be the end of the PDP in Ondo State.
“Majority may not remain in the PDP. So I want to plead with you, that this is your time. It is the level of commitment you put to it that will determine it. Let us return to our wards and unit to canvass the people.”
He noted that about 80 per cent of the party agents are youths but he decried that some of them allegedly compromised at the polling unit, leading to the loss of elections.
“This attitude of collecting money to compromise at the polling unit must stop. If we commit ourselves we will win this election. Let us change for the better,” Alabere stated.
In his remarks, the Ondo PDP Youth Leader, Mr Victor Oguntoyinbo, said the youths were ready to work for the party in the forthcoming governorship poll, using their number.
“We are the largest demographic, the most vibrant force, and the future of this state. Our collective drive can and will reshape the political landscape of Ondo State. We are not just participants in this election; we are the architects of a new era. Our vision is clear.
“A prosperous Ondo State where opportunities are accessible to all, where education and healthcare are prioritized, where infrastructure supports growth, and where the youth are empowered to lead and innovate. This vision is not a distant dream; it is within our grasp, and it is our drive that will make it a reality.
“The upcoming election is a defining moment for Ondo State. The current administration has had its opportunity, and it is evident that our state needs a new direction. The PDP offers that new direction, but it is up to us to ensure that this vision is communicated effectively and embraced by the electorate. This will require relentless effort, strategic planning, and unwavering determination,” Victor stated.
Burna Boy didn’t pay all patients bills
The University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital has faulted reports that musician, Burna Boy, covered all medical bills for patients during a recent visit to the hospital.
The hospital clarified that the music star only settled the bills of selected patients at the facility, contrary to claims of covering all outstanding bills.
This is coming after several blogs and news sites reported earlier this week that Burna Boy paid the hospital bills for all the patients at the hospital.
The institution’s spokesperson, Elabha Meni, made the clarification in a statement released in Port Harcourt on Friday.
“We commend Burna Boy’s kindness in financially assisting select patients in our hospital to offset their bills during his visit on June 11.
“However, contrary to reports stating that all patients’ bills in UPTH were paid during the visit, only selected patients received cash gifts or donations.
“The hospital did not receive direct payments from the musician and his team on behalf of patients to support this worthy course of reducing healthcare costs,” Meni clarified.
Meni lauded the musician’s charitable act in helping those in need in society.
NAN
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Drug Abuse: NDLEA arrests 454 suspects in Adamawa in one year
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Adamawa Command, says it has arrested no fewer than 454 suspected illicit drug traffickers/peddlers from June 2023 till date.
State Commander of NDLEA, Mr Samson Agboalu, disclosed this on Friday at a news conference to begin the commemoration of the 2024 International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that World Drug Day with the theme: “The Evidence is Clear: Invest in Prevention” is celebrated annually on June 26 globally.
Agboalu said that the arrest figure made by the agency reflected a 9.38 per cent decrease from the 501 arrests made in the previous year.
He noted that the drug seizures significantly increased, with a total of 4,732.128 kilo grammes of hard drugs confiscated.
”This is a 75 per cent increase from the 1,164.750 kg seized between June 2022 and June 2023.
“These seizures include a range of substances such as Cannabis Sativa, Methamphetamine (ice), Cocaine, Tramadol, Exol-5, Diazepam tablets, Codeine-based syrup, Rohypnol tablets, and Pentazocine injections.
“Our Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) efforts have also been fruitful, with 107 residential clients treated, counselled, and rehabilitated, and 222 trafficking clients receiving brief intervention counselling,” he said.
Speaking on prosecution efforts and forfeitures from June 2023 to date, he said 148 individuals were convicted, with a notable increase from 115 convictions recorded between June 2022 and June 2023.
“The highest sentences handed down were between 10 and five years imprisonment, with the least six months.
“Monetary forfeiture recorded an increase, with the sum of N851,153 forfeited to the Federal Government and deposited into the Treasury Single Account (TSA), compared to N729,480 in the previous year.”
The NDLEA commander called for the adoption of preventive measures as a strategic approach to addressing drug abuse in the state.
He said that it was imperative to invest in prevention through increased public education, and collaboration with communities by ensuring youths have access to accurate information to discourage drug use.
“As we reflect on the theme, it is clear that investing in prevention is a strategic approach that promises long-term benefits and only effective way to address the root causes of drug abuse.
“Evidence has shown that prevention programmes can significantly reduce the initiation of drug use, thereby reducing the burden on law enforcement and the healthcare system.
“By focusing on education, awareness, and early intervention, we can protect our communities, particularly the youth, from the devastating effects of drug abuse,” he said.
Agboalu also emphasised the need for collaborative effort in the fight against the menace, in order to create a future where children could grow up in safe, healthy, and drug-free communities.
NAN reports that the command has organised one-week activities in line with the commemoration of World Drug Day to raise awareness and promote preventive measures.
According Online reports that World Drug Day is a vital reminder of the ongoing battle against drug abuse and the importance of international cooperation, education, and support in creating a drug-free world.
World Drug Day, officially known as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, is observed annually on June 26.
This day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1987 to raise awareness about the major problem that illicit drugs represent to society.
The aim is to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free of drug abuse.
NAN.