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Arase questions CPs competence amid cops killings

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The Police Service Commission has questioned the competence of the Commissioners of Police in Delta and Imo states, following a wave of assaults against police officers in the country.

The commission’s chairman, Solomon Arase, while condemning the attacks, stressed that the slain officers were also Nigerians who “deserve the support, encouragement and protection of the citizens.”

This was revealed on Sunday in a statement signed by the spokesman for the commission, Ikechukwu Ani.

The Nigeria Police Force on Saturday said six officers were killed in an ambush in Delta State by armed assailants while undertaking a mission to investigate the disappearance and rescue of three of their colleagues in the Ohoro Forest in the state, while six others went missing-in-action.

This was followed by another attack on police operatives attached to MOPOL 18, Owerri, Imo State, when two operatives were killed on Saturday by gunmen in the Okigwe area of the state.

It was learnt that the gunmen, suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and its affiliate, Eastern Security Network, threw dynamite at the police patrol vehicle and engaged the policemen in a gunfight along old Gariki Road.

Arase, in his statement, said “the killings in some states across the nation has become worrisome” and called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun “to take another look on the capacity of state Command leaderships in the country.”

Arase noted that “there must be consequences for this avoidable incidents,” adding that “any state Commissioner of Police found incompetent, derelict, and operationally/tactically porous should be eased out to avoid these huge police casualties.

“The commission wishes to condole the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Olukayode Egbetokun, on this unfortunate developments, especially at a time when all hands are supposed to be on deck to rid the nation of militancy and banditry.”

The PSC chairman lamented that the commission has “had more than a fair share of these ugly developments in recent time and called for integrated intelligence policing.”

He “condoled the families of the slain officers and said time has come for state command commissioners to rise up to the occasion,” while he “enjoined the serving officers not to be demotivated by these ugly developments but to reenact their indomitable fighting spirit that the Force is known for to ward off this new wave of assaults.”

Aiyedatiwa, Akinterinwa camps clash over billboards destruction claims

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The Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, on Sunday, raised the alarm over the destruction of the billboards of its principal, Wale Akinterinwa, by suspected political thugs.

This is coming a few weeks before the governorship primary of the All Progressives Congress, which has been fixed for April 25, 2024.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and Akinterinwa are among the governorship aspirants contesting for the party’s ticket.

In a statement by the spokesperson of the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, Mr Segun Ajiboye, the group called on the governor to call his supporters to order to stop the attacks on their billboards .

However, the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers, through its Director of Publicity, Mr Kayode Fasua, denied the allegation, describing it as falsehood and a bid to drag the name of the governor in the mud.

WACO recalled that many of Akinterinwa’s billboards were allegedly destroyed by Aiyedatiwa’s supporters during the visit of President Bola Tinubu to the state in February and that the governor promised to look into the matter.

It noted that nothing had been done, and none of the perpetrators was arrested .

It said, ” Recall that we equally raised the alarm back in February when the governor’s thugs unleashed mayhem on the people during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the family of the late Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. While the governor vowed to bring to book those behind the heinous attacks, it is not surprising that nothing has been heard of the case since.

“The actions of the governor and his thugs have continued to bring the name of our great party into disrepute, while other political parties in the state stand by the sideline watching and plotting how to exploit the situation.

“Again, we want to use this opportunity to urge leaders of the APC in Ondo State and at the national level to call Governor Aiyedatiwa to order before he destroys the party in the state. We also call on all security agencies, including the police and the DSS, to ensure the safety of supporters of other aspirants and their properties across the state.”

Fasua, in his own statement, said WACO was lying in order to discredit the governor, asking Akinterinwa’s campaign group to do their investigation properly on the matter

He said, “They are alleging the destruction of their principal’s billboards by political thugs loyal to the governor but display sheer lack of smartness in cooking up the lie.

“For instance, a single proof of identification of where the thugs reside as base, and who their commander is, are never cited in the gale of accusations.

“What is clear to all, however, is that most of the deified billboards under reference appear inferior, suggesting that they were poorly erected and of weak gait. Remember that this is a rainy season accompanied by whirlwinds, thus justifying the time-tested saying that all pretensions will collapse.

“Rather than drag the good name of Aiyedatiwa into apparent internal dishonesty in their camp, they are best advised to set up a probe panel within their tent, to find out who cut the corners.”

Intervene in cooking gas price hike, APC chieftain urges Tinubu 

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A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the hike of cooking gas prices in the country.

Oyintiloye, a former member of the defunct APC Presidential Campaign Council, opined that Nigerians couldn’t be facing harsh economic realities in getting what to eat while at the same time, having difficulty using gas to cook food.

He stated this in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Sunday while speaking with newsmen, adding that the cost of cooking gas was becoming unbearable for the masses.

The party chieftain lamented that the cost of refiling a 12.5kg cylinder of gas in many parts of the country now ranges between N17,500 and N18,000.

He recalled that the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, on February 22, announced that the Federal Government had asked producers of Liquefied Petroleum Gas to stop exporting the commodity, saying that the decision had not yielded any positive results in the reduction of the price of the item locally.

Oyintiloye said, “I know that Mr. President has a listening ear, and he will do something urgent about this matter.

“The announcement by the petroleum minister(state) on the ban on the exportation of the product is a good one, but it has not started having any positive effects on the masses.

“The fuel subsidy removal is biting hard on the people, and the electricity supply is not stable.

“All these are impacting negatively on Nigerians, and solutions should be provided without further delay.

“All relevant and critical stakeholders must join hands with the President to tackle the challenges in the oil and gas industry,.”

The chieftain noted that the “rising prices of the item might be as a result of LPG producers secretly exporting the products,” the statement noted.

He equally stressed the need for a reduction in the price of cooking gas, saying the use of solid fuels like charcoal and firewood is detrimental to the quality of the environment.

This, he added, could “aggravate climate change challenges and its adverse effects such as deforestation, desertification, and soil degradation that could lead to erosion.

“This will in turn pose serious danger to the respiratory organ, fatigue, headaches, confusion, and dizziness to the human system due to inadequate oxygen delivery to the brain, thereby reducing the overall well-being of people.

“Human beings depend on green plants for our daily supply of oxygen while giving back carbon dioxide to the plants.

“In an attempt to substitute clean cooking gas for firewood and charcoal by cutting down green trees, this will affect human survival,.”

Oyintiloye commended the President for stabilising the naira against the dollar and also encouraged Nigerians to support Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I want to commend the President on his tireless efforts in putting the economy of the country on the right path.

“With patience, endurance, prayers and support for the President, we will come out stronger from these challenges,” he added.

Many feared killed in Plateau communnal clash

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Several people have been reportedly killed in a clash between rival youths in the Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State.

It was learnt that many people were also injured during the clash said to have started on Saturday night between Taroh and Motola youths in the locality and lasted till the early hours of Sunday .

The state Commissioner for Information , Musa Ashoms, confirmed the development to The According in Jos on Sunday .

The commissioner, who blamed the situation on disputed land in the area, said, “I have just called the Mikang Local Government chairman over the issue. He told me that it is something that could have been avoided and not allowed to escalate to the point that people lost their lives, and at the moment, there are persons receiving treatment at the hospital.

“It started as a result of dispute over land.

“According to the LG chairman, the land in question cannot even produce six bags of rice, and you know when people are attached to their land, they could go extra mile.

“It is something they could have controlled their nerves, but somehow, it got to a point where others too joined them and houses were burnt down and people were maimed.”

He advised the people to always explore alternative dispute resolution mechanism in resolving their differences and refrain from taking the law into their hands .

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Alabo Alfred, said security operatives had been deployed to the troubled area while investigation over the incident continues

“The area is now calm. People are going about their normal businesses,” the PPRO added

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Tinubu opts for low-key 72nd birthday amid security challenges

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President Bola Tinubu has opted for a low key 72nd birthday celebrations as a result of the challenging times the country is facing.

The President will turn 72 on Friday.

He has, however, urged his associates not to organise any events but instead use the opportunity to reflect and re-dedicate themselves to the task of building.

The President, in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser, Media and Information Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted the recent killings of some Army and police personnel in Delta State as well as several security breaches as events that have contributed to the gloomy mood of the nation.

The statement read, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will turn 72 on Friday, March 29, 2024. The day will be another important milestone in his life as a leader and a statesman.

“During an auspicious occasion as this, it is customary for family members, friends and associates to celebrate him in different ways.

“As the leader of our country, President Tinubu in deference to this challenging times will not host any birthday event and does not want any of his associates and numerous well-wishers across the country to organise any celebratory event on his behalf or in his name.

“President Tinubu appreciates the honour of being the leader of Africa’s leading nation at this time and he is working very hard to make life better for the generality of our people.

“According to him, because of the present mood of the nation and recent killing of the officers and men of our Army and Police in Delta State and recent spate of security breaches by criminal elements in different parts of Nigeria, there should be no form of birthday event and placing of birthday goodwill advertorial messages in newspapers. Goodwill messages should not be placed on radio and television stations too.”

This is the third time in recent years Tinubu will be canceling his birthday celebrations.

The Nigerian leader opted for no-birthday celebrations to honour the victims of the Kaduna train attacks in 2022. He also cancelled 71st birthday colloquium and instead fixed prayers for the nation.

Four die in Bauchi stampede

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No fewer than four people have lost their lives in a stampede in Bauchi State during an almsgiving exercise.

The stampede occurred at the Shafa Holdings Company Plc headquarters along Jos Road on Sunday at about 10 a.m.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakili, confirmed the incident to our correspondent via the telephone, adding that the situation has been stabilised.

When asked for further details, he said he would revert as he was in a public place where he couldn’t discuss state security affairs.

As of the time of filing this report, the company has yet to issue any statement on the matter.

Details later…

Ajisafe Olayiwola

Ajisafe has over four-year experience publishing politics, business, sports, entertainment, education and health stories.

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UK minister faults Russian accounts of Moscow attack

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Finance Minister, Jeremy Hunt, on Sunday said that the United Kingdom had “very little confidence” in Russia’s statements on the Moscow concert hall attack, accusing it of trying to “defend” its assault on Ukraine.

At least 133 people were killed by armed gunmen at the Crocus City Hall in a suburb on the northern edge of Moscow on Friday, with the Islamic State group claiming responsibility for the attack.

Russian authorities have not yet blamed the group, but President Vladimir Putin has said the attackers were apprehended while “travelling towards Ukraine where, according to preliminary information, they had a window to cross the border”.

Russia’s FSB security service said earlier that the assailants had been “in contact” with people in Ukraine as they tried to flee the country.

Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Hunt told Sky News on Sunday, “I take what the Russian government says with an enormous pinch of salt… after what we’ve seen from them over the last few years.

“We know that they are creating a smokescreen of propaganda to defend an utterly evil invasion of Ukraine.

“But that doesn’t mean that it’s not a tragedy when innocent people lose their lives when you have horrible bombings,” he added.

The minister warned that the UK and other European countries should “absolutely” be concerned about the re-emergence of IS on the world stage.

“We are very lucky in this country that we have incredibly impressive intelligence agencies who have been successful… in foiling a lot of terrorist threats over recent years, but we have to remain vigilant,” he told Sky News.

“If it is Islamic State, they’re utterly indiscriminate in what they do, they’re prepared to murder in the most horrific way,” he said.

AFP

VIDEO: Ooni of Ife, third wife unveil names of newborn twins

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Eight days after the birth of their twins, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and his third wife, Olori Tobi Phillips, have named their bundles of joy.

Taiwo, a girl, was named Adesewa, Oreade, Oluwatamilore, Ejide Ogunwusi.

Kehinde, a boy, was christened Adeshina, Oreade, Ejide, Oluwasemilore Ogunwusi.

A video shared by Kemi Ashefon on Instagram on Saturday showed Olori Phillips reading out the names of the twins.

  • Eight days after the birth of their twins, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and his third wife, Olori Tobi Phillips, have named their bundles of joy.

The Ooni had on his Instagram page last week announced the birth of his twins with his third wife, the former beauty queen, Olori Phillips.

 

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Osun sets up committee to tackle fake news, cyber bullying

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Osun State Government has announced its decision to set up a Cyber Crime Action Committee to give effect to relevant provisions of the law with respect to cyber crimes, cyber bullying and deliberate online false news.

A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Engagement, Kolapo Alimi, on Sunday said the move was meant to tackle the prevalence of fake news in Osun State.

Alimi explained that “the step became necessary to sanitise the governance space and ensure that politicking and governance take place under an atmosphere of responsibility, decency and honesty.”

The development was coming on the heels of war of words on the social media platforms between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress on issues relating to governance in the state.

The exchanges often degenerate to name calling among members of the two parties.

The commissioner, however, posited that the increasing wave of fake news negatively affects both the government and the opposition, stressing that the time has come that all operators be brought within the compass of the law.

He said, “The committee domiciled at the Ministry of Justice has as members journalists and legal practitioners. The mandate is to ensure that fake news are nipped in the bid, no matter who the perpetrators are.

“The committee is to apply relevant sections of the Cybercrime Act of 2015 as operational clauses to ensure all stakeholders operate within the law in the exercise and enjoyment of their fundamental human rights.

“Section 24 (1) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015 reads: ‘A person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be sent, or he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent, commits an offence under this Act and is liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7,000, 000.00 or imprisonment for a term, not more than three years or both.”

He disclosed that the committee would host its maiden meeting on Monday while affirming the commitment of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the delivery of good governance.

Pope skips sermon, prays for Moscow attack victims

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Pope Francis on Sunday sent prayers to the victims of the concert hall attack in Moscow, calling the violence “inhuman acts” that offended God.

“I assure my prayers for the victims of the cowardly terrorist attack carried out the other evening in Moscow,” said the 87-year-old pope, following a Palm Sunday mass in Saint Peter’s Square.

“May the Lord welcome them in his peace and comfort their families, and convert the hearts of those… who organise and carry out these inhuman actions which offend God, who commanded ‘Thou shalt not kill,” he said.

The pontiff presided over Palm Sunday Mass in front of a crowd the Vatican estimated at 25,000 people, but spoke in a weak, faltering voice and did not deliver his homily as planned.

He appeared in good spirits following mass, however, circling the piazza, smiling and waving at the crowd from his vehicle.

The pontiff caught flu last month and has subsequently asked others to read his texts at appearances.

Francis has suffered a number of health issues in recent years, from knee and hip pain to an inflamed colon and hernia surgery last year.

Sunday’s liturgical celebration marked the start of Holy Week, in which the pope presides over a series of important events leading up to Easter, Christianity’s most important holiday.

Last year, for the first time, Francis missed the traditional “Way of the Cross” prayer service on Good Friday.

The weather at the time was unusually cold and he was recovering from a bronchitis infection that saw him hospitalised for three nights.

AFP

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