The Nigerian government has lifted the ban on Emirates Airlines of the United Arab Emirates from operating in the country.

Mr. Hadi Sirika, the country’s Minister of Aviation, made the news Friday night in Abuja at a joint press conference with Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Foreign Affairs Minister, and Dr. Muktar Muhammed, the Incident Manager, National Covid-19 Response Centre of the Presidential Task Force.

“Today we received letters from the UAE reducing some of the travel limits to which we had concerns,” Sirika added. As a result of this, and as the only hindrance to their activities, we believe it is necessary for us to lift the restriction on Emirates operations into the country, effective immediately (26-11-2021).

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“We are pleased to inform that this is the result of extensive negotiations between us and them,” said the company.

The lifting of the embargo is unconditional, according to the aviation minister, who also stated that all restrictions placed on Emirates’ activities have been withdrawn.

“All of the things that we put in place that caused us to disagree have been removed, so it comes with no strings attached,” he continued.

The Minister noted that the restriction on Emirates was imposed as a result of the Nigerian government’s Covid-19 protocols, which several airlines, including Emirates Airlines, were unhappy with.

“We agreed that BSC would prohibit the operations of those airlines in order to protect our citizens from some breaches that could escalate the Covid situation in Nigeria.”

Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, the Foreign Affairs Minister, also spoke, saying the two countries had good conversations on their differences and that they had a balance of interests and were resolved.

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“We are glad that we are able to put the log behind us and move forward,” he said, adding, “the UAE is a country with which we have fantastic relations.”

Muhammed further stated that the suspension of direct flights to and from the UAE was made to protect Nigerians’ health and to adhere to established regulations.

He stated that the two countries’ conversations have resulted in a deeper understanding and a closer friendship.

He called the introduction of a new Covid-19 variation in South Africa as “a variant of worry,” adding that Nigeria would continue to monitor the matter and take appropriate action.

“For the time being, we have boosted our surveillance at the point of entry at the airports, increased alertness, and are paying attention to people arriving not only from South Africa but from all Southern African nations,” he said.

The House of Representatives, in a motion passed last week, established an Adhoc committee comprised of members from various relevant committees to consult with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Aviation, and the National Intelligence Agency, among others, on the best ways to resolve the diplomatic crisis.

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Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, the House Minority Leader, raised worry in the motion that thousands of Nigerians living and working in the UAE will lose their employment and livelihood if the issue is not resolved quickly.

The Nigerian government banned Emirates Airlines from flying in the country in February 2021 after it was discovered that passengers were subjected to additional rapid antigen tests at the Lagos and Abuja airports before to departure, despite the airline’s policy of requiring a negative PCR test.

Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-political organization, has stated that there is no foundation to petition President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to release Yoruba Nation agitator and activist Sunday Adeyemo, better known as Sunday Igboho.

Afenifere also urged the Federal Government to follow the ruling of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan, which awarded N20 billion to the Department of State Services for causing damage to Igboho’s home during a midnight raid on July 1, 2021.

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Igboho Sunday
It said this in response to a recent visit by certain Igbo leaders to the White House to beg the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the incarcerated leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Under the auspices of the Highly Respected Igbo Greats, Igbo leaders had pleaded with President Buhari to free Kanu.

Former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former president of the Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike, and Tagbo Amaechi were among the members of the delegation led by former Minister of Aviation, 93-year-old Mbazulike Amaechi.

In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari responded to the Igbo leaders, saying that the unconditional release of the IPOB leader, who is currently on trial, violates the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive and judiciary.

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Igboho, who was detained by Republic of Benin police at the Cotonou Airport on July 19, 2021, has been held at the neighboring country’s detention facility.

Afenifere, on the other hand, said it had no reason to grovel to the president for Igboho’s release because the agitator ‘did not commit any offence whatsoever.’

“We don’t need to grovel to the President to let Sunday Igboho go. Our position is that Sunday Igboho did not conduct any wrongdoing. Those who came to his house were terrorists dressed in Nigerian security uniforms who had no authority to be there, as proven by a court of competent jurisdiction. “Igboho has been exonerated, and the government has been fined N20 billion,” the organization claimed.

“There is no reason for the Yoruba people to implore the Federal Government to free Sunday Igboho,” Afenifere’s General-Secretary, Sola Ebiseni, remarked.

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“Despite the Buhari government’s impunity, we insist that Nigeria be governed according to the rule of law.”

“A court of competent jurisdiction has already adjudged the deep night invasion of Sunday Igboho’s house with the aim of killing him, which resulted in the deaths of two of his companions and the wanton destruction of his property as a most barbaric act of state terrorism with the sum of N20 billion in damages.”

Afenifere further stated that no criminal charges had been filed against Igboho in any court.

Less than a week after urging Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, to advise President Buhari to inaugurate the NDDC Board to avoid a new crisis in the region, the 21st Century Youths of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC) restated its demand on Thursday, this time directly addressing President Buhari to swear in the substantive board of the NDDC so that all nine constituent states in the region are

In a statement, the group’s coordinator, Izon Ebi, also demanded the Federal Government to release the report of the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s actions.

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“The 21st Century Youths of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC) are miffed by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio’s macabre dance steps of “giving audience to youth groups who are paid to pass fake vote-of-confidence on his administration of the NDDC without doing the needful of swearing in the substantive board for the commission,” according to Ebi.

“It smacks of absolute insensitivity to bring dubious youth organizations to pass a vote of confidence on the Minister’s office,” the group said. Seeing this dubious procession every now and then is terrible and demeaning to the sensibilities of Niger Deltans.”

“The Niger Delta Youths of the Twenty-First Century is using this platform to encourage the Federal Government to swear in the substantive board of the commission so that all nine member states in the region are duly represented,” Izon Ebi said. The act of courtesy in asking the Minister for his approval is out of touch with the people of the region, who live in abysmal poverty.”

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Remember that on November 17, the 21st Century Youths of the Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC) called on the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to do the right thing by advising President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately inaugurate the Niger Delta Development Commission’s substantive board (NDDC).

The organization claimed in a statement issued by its Coordinator, Izon Ebi, that if President Buhari fails to inaugurate the NDDC board, the region will blame him for “plunging the Niger Delta region into fresh crisis and grounding the economy of the nation.” It went on to say that the Niger Deltans have lost faith in the Minister.

“The Minister is being perceived as a conundrumist who is willing to sacrifice his people and the peace of the Niger Delta area for his political ambitions and selfish disposition and advantages,” the statement stated. The 21st CYNDAC strongly condemns the antics of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, because his body language and actions are no longer honourable as a result of his selfishness, inconsistencies, and lies, which plainly depict him as a confusionist.”

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“Akpabio is running the NDDC as his private owned corporation,” Izon Ebi continued. False charges of bribery and payments for frivolous water-desilting operations that are not done anywhere in the region have awoken Niger Deltans.”

“As it stands, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) is progressing without making any significant contribution to the nation’s GDP,” the group said, “but the Niger Delta region, which pays the supreme sacrifice of contributing 80% to the nation’s GDP, is being used for political brinkmanship and showmanship to the detriment of the pathetic plight of the Niger Delta region and its people.”

Mrs Bianca Ojukwu, wife of late Igbo leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, has encouraged Governors of the Southeast geopolitical zone to remember Ojukwu as Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, did with her husband’s memorial anniversary.

Following the petition of Igbo leaders who paid him a courtesy call, Bianca pleaded with President Muhammad Buhari to free the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

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The release of Nnamdi Kanu, according to a former Nigerian ambassador to Spain, would bolster President Buhari’s resolve to healing the wounds caused by the Igbo nation’s marginalization.

She went on to add that Kanu’s release would illustrate Buhari’s magnanimity, claiming that the call for independence was a direct result of perceived inequity in the country’s distribution of resources and political appointments.

Mr Ahamefula Ojukwu, son of the late Igbo leader, also spoke and thanked Uwazuruike for bringing the entire Igbo nation together.

Ojukwu’s son, who is also the event’s chairman, asked Igbos, particularly those in positions of authority, to preserve his late father’s legacies, which he described as “an embodiment of selfless dedication and sacrifice to the Igbo cause.”

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Dr. Nkem Okeke, the Deputy Governor of Anambra, had previously condemned the use of violence in the pursuit of self-determination.

He urged the Igbo people to band together and fight diplomatically to accomplish a common goal.

Terrorists invaded Te’egbe hamlet in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State yesterday, killing 11 people, including children, and torching 30 homes.
Governor Simon Lalong quickly expressed his displeasure with the attack, calling it “another terrible occurrence” aimed at destabilizing the state.

The abductors of 66 members of the Baptist Church in Kakau Daji, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, eventually contacted the victims’ relatives after 27 days, demanding N99 million in ransom.

According to reports, the perpetrators stormed Te’egbe village early yesterday morning when the locals were still sleeping, killing 11 people and injuring several others, as well as setting fire to several homes.

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While confirming the attack, Mr. Nuhu Bitrus, spokesman for the Miango Youth Development Association, stated, “Last night was really horrific for the Irigwe country as Fulani militia stormed Te’egbe village, killing so many people and injuring many more.” They also set fire to their homes.

“Right now, we’re counting the bodies of ten people who were shot and killed by the attackers.” They’re on their way to the morgue. More victims are still being sought by our people. We’ll let you know when the search and rescue mission is completed.”

“Just last week, we read on social media the threat chats sent by Fulani herders to the military stationed at Ancha, a neighboring community, asking them to allow free grazing in and around all communities in Irigwe land or face their wrath,” said Mr. Danjuma Auta, Secretary of Irigwe Development Association (IDA).

“Despite the military’s dismissal of the warning, the Fulani carried out their preparations on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, when they stormed Ancha village and killed two people.

“These same Fulani herders attacked the town of Ta’agbe yet again, and we have confirmed the deaths of 11 people so far, while the hunt continues.” We are concerned because we have met with the Fulani community on numerous occasions in various fora and committed to embrace peace, but with the ongoing attacks on our innocent citizens, we question if the peace deal entered is anything to hold to.

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“Those charged with the constitutional responsibility of protecting us should come out publicly and warn Nigerians if they are overburdened and can no longer guarantee our safety.” Our people are losing faith in security agents because they were unable to stop, arrest, or neutralize the terrorists despite their presence.”

Lalong Weeps

Meanwhile, Lalong stated that the administration still finds the incident yesterday to be condemnable and unacceptable.

The governor described the attack as “another sad incident clearly the handiwork of criminals bent on instilling fear, pain, and sorrow among the people with a view to destabilizing the state and making fortune from their criminality, as well as rupturing the substantial peace attained” in a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Macham Makut.

“The Governor totally condemns the attack and believes there is no reason that can explain it,” the statement said in part. As a result, he orders security services to take swift and decisive action to apprehend the culprits and guarantee that they are held accountable for their crimes.

“The recurrent attacks in this general area remain condemnable and unacceptable to Government,” the Governor was reported as saying. As a result, no resources or efforts will be spared in tracking down individuals who take pleasure in harming and killing innocent citizens, as well as ruining their homes and livelihoods.

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“I want security forces to use all available resources to apprehend individuals who committed the crime, no matter how long it takes.” Failure to comply with this mandate will not be tolerated by the government.”

While expressing condolences to the victims and families of those killed, Lalong told them that justice would be served because the government would stop at nothing to find those responsible for the heinous crimes that continue to disturb the livelihoods of the people of the local government.

Lalong also ordered the Plateau State Emergency Management Agency and the Plateau Peace Building Agency to visit the region immediately and examine the extent of the damage in order to carry out prompt intervention and provide assistance to those who are in need as a result of the barbarous attack.

He also urged individuals to provide pertinent information to security services so that they can figure out who the assailants are and what their goals are.

Killings in Plateau State Confirmed by Police

The attack in Te’egbe Community has been confirmed by the Plateau State Police Command.

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“On 26/11/2021 at about 0130hrs, the Command got a complaint of an attack by yet to be identified gunmen at Te’egbe Village of Bassa LGA of the state,” the Police Command said in a statement published by its spokesman, Ubah Ogaba.

“Upon receiving the complaint, Plateau State Command Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, dispatched a tactical squad from the Command to the scene to prevent further attack.”

“The Commissioner of Police also led other Senior Officers from the Command to the scene for an on-the-spot inspection and to console the attack victims.”

“The CP has ordered a discreet investigation and told the community that he is ready to apprehend the culprits of this heinous crime.”

Meanwhile, indigenous residents of the assaulted village, the Irigwe ethnic nationality, have expressed dissatisfaction with security officers, accusing them of failing to protect the people despite knowing about the attack in advance.

Security operatives “must be made to immediately examine Fulani villages fingered to be harboring and training these terrorists,” according to the statement, which also asked with President Muhammadu Buhari to come to their rescue before it’s too late.

Terrorists demand N99 million in ransom for the release of 66 abducted members of the Baptist Church.

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The kidnappers of 66 members of the Baptist Church in Kakau Daji, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have demanded a ransom of N99 million.

Rev. John Hayab, the Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, revealed this to journalists in Kaduna yesterday.

27 days after the kidnapping, the abductors will make contact with the victims’ relatives for the first time.

The attendees were kidnapped on October 31, 2021, during a Sunday service when terrorists stormed the church.

Terrorists are claimed to have brought five of the victims close to the community and shot three of them dead, while two others were injured and taken to the hospital with bullet wounds.

Hayab further said that one of the remaining four pupils from Bethel Baptist High School in Damishi, Kaduna, who were kidnapped on July 5, 2021, had been released, while the other three remained in the hands of the criminals.

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He claimed that the terrorists were paid N5 million in exchange for the student’s release. On July 5, bandits broke into the school and kidnapped 121 kids. 117 of the students were eventually released, while others managed to flee.

According to sources, the bandits were given approximately N200 million in exchange for the students’ freedom, which was granted in four batches. Each batch was reported to have received a ransom payment.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has acknowledged that some staff have been suspended for allegedly extorting a passenger at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, announced this in a statement released on Saturday in Lagos.

The action, according to Yakubu, was in keeping with management’s desire to purge the nation’s airport of corrupt officials.

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The officers, she said, are from the Authority’s Aviation Security and Customer Service departments and have been suspended.

She claimed that their accomplice’s Nigeria Immigration Service On Duty Card had been revoked.

The measure, according to Yakubu, was taken to serve as a deterrent to other rotten eggs in the system who are focused on damaging the country’s image.