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BREAKING: Pinot Ogbaji emerges APC Zonal Chairman Benue South Senatorial District

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Former Chairman of Obi Local Government Council, Hon. Pinot Ogbaji, has emerged as the All Progressives Congress’ consensus candidate for Zonal Chairman in Benue South Senatorial District.

The decision was reached today at an emergency committee meeting called by Engr. Chief Morgan Okwoche and Chief Emmanuel Adija as Convener and Co-Convener respectively, with over 50 stakeholders of the party in attendance.

Recall that the chairmanship position was zoned to Oju/Obi Federal Constituency popularly known as Old Oju by the Chief John. A. A Ochoga led Special State Congress Harmonisation Committee (Zone C).

Bishop Ogbaji is an ordained clergy, well known across the length and breadth of Benue State for his evangelism and humanitarian works across IgedeLand.

He is a one-time Deputy Chief of Staff in the office of the Governor of Benue State, a seasoned administrator and Bridgebuilder par excellence.

Details later…

Buhari never invited me to coffee, but he did receive Fani-Kayode, a Lagos APC leader, Igbokwe laments

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Joe Igbokwe, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Lagos State, has lamented the defection of Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Minister of Aviation, to the APC, as well as President Muhammadu Buhari’s (retd.) decision to personally receive Fani-Kayode at the Presidential Villa.

In a Facebook post, Igbokwe expressed regret that Buhari was able to give Fani-Kayode a hero’s welcome while those who had stood by him for years were never invited or given recharge cards.

“Despite all my push for the APC, Abuja has not given me a phone call, much less invited me for coffee with c in c, but here is a political charlatan and prostitute being given a red carpet in the seat of power, Abuja,” the APC chieftain wrote.

“APC rewards adversaries. They take care of their adversaries. There is no balance in this life (sic).

“Please understand that I am fine where I am today, but I know a slew of APC zealots who are 100 percent better than FFK. Nobody has ever heard of them. “Not a single recharge card, not a single bottle of Coke, not even a thank you.”

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Former APC Publicity Secretary in Lagos State, Igbokwe, said the party must understand the importance of ‘consequence management.’
He shared screenshots of Fani-previous Kayode’s posts mocking Buhari and endorsing secessionists such as Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, and Sunday Igboho.

“In the APC, we must learn consequence management,” Igbokwe continued. Discipline is required to build a nation, while indiscipline and impunity are required to crush and destroy one. Actions have repercussions.”

Fani-Kayode, who joined the APC on Thursday, had previously been one of the President’s harshest critics, describing the ruling party as a “evil association.”

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He once stated that he would rather die than become a member of the party. As a result, many Nigerians were taken aback by his defection.

Many members of the APC have also been critical of his defection.

Senator Babafemi Ojudu, a Presidential Political Adviser, called Fani-defection Kayode’s the “saddest day of my political career.”

Moderna Covid vaccine outperforms Pfizer in new study conducted in the United States

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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new study on Friday that suggests the Moderna Covid vaccine provides better long-term protection against hospitalization than the Pfizer vaccine.

Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at nearly 3,689 adults who were hospitalized with severe Covid between March 11 and August 15, 2021 — a period that predates and includes the Delta variant’s dominance.

Overall, 12.9 percent had received the Moderna vaccine, 20.0 percent had received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and 3.1 percent had received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Over the course of the study, the Moderna vaccine was 93% effective against hospitalization, while Pfizer was 88% effective and J&J was 68% effective.

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Pfizer’s loss of efficacy against hospitalization was particularly pronounced: it dropped from 91 percent in 14-120 days after vaccination to 77 percent after 120 days.

When comparing the same two periods, Moderna dropped from 93 percent to 92 percent.

A separate analysis of the levels of different types of antibodies elicited by the vaccines, taken from 100 volunteers, was also included in the study.

In comparison to Pfizer and J&J, the Moderna vaccine elicited higher levels of antibodies for a key part of the virus’ spike protein, which it uses to invade cells.

There is mounting evidence that the Moderna vaccine is superior to the Pfizer vaccine, including a study released last week by the CDC.

The reasons aren’t entirely clear, but it could be due to the higher dosage levels — 100 micrograms versus 30 micrograms.

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It could also be due to the difference in dosing intervals between Pfizer and Moderna, with Pfizer shots being given three weeks apart and Moderna shots being given four weeks apart.

On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration convened a meeting of leading independent experts to consider whether third Pfizer doses should be given to the general public, not just immune-compromised people.

Man Utd: Cristiano Ronaldo is causing a lot of problems for Solskjaer -Carragher

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s transfer to Manchester United, according to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, will cause as many problems as it solves for manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season.

Carragher made the claim ahead of Man United’s Premier League match against West Ham United on Sunday.

Remember that Ronaldo returned to Manchester United from Juventus at the end of the summer transfer window, 12 years after leaving the club.

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The 36-year-old Portugal captain has made an immediate impact for Man United, scoring two goals in a 2-0 win over Newcastle and another in a shock 2-1 Champions League loss to Young Boys.

“For all the understandable joy at Old Trafford over Cristiano Ronaldo’s return, his signing creates as many problems for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as it solves,” Carragher told the Telegraph.

“Ronaldo could turn out to be a better Premier League signing than he was for Manchester United.

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“The bigger question for United is whether Ronaldo’s arrival brings them any closer to being a team capable of winning the Premier League and the Champions League once more,” he added.

“I would say no based on the first few games, despite the fact that they have won three of their first five matches. Ronaldo’s ability to win matches will inevitably strengthen United. What his arrival will not be able to do is transform United into a title-winning team or impose the distinct style of play that they currently lack.”

PDP aiming for presidency and 28 governorships in 2023, says Governor Fintri

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Ahmadu Fintri, Governor of Adamawa State and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention Committee, stated that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aims to win at least the presidency and 28 states in the 2023 general elections.

The governor made the revelation in his acceptance speech after the innaguration of the PDP National Convention Committee at the NEC Hall, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja on Friday after the innaguration of the National Convention committee, which consists of 179 members and includes Bayelsa State Governor Diri Duoye as Vice Chairman and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde as Secretary.

Fintri expressed optimism in his speech, stating that the party has a long history of organizing successful conventions, which are the first step toward a successful election.

“This isn’t the first time we’ve held a convention like this, and it’s also not the first time I’ve converted people on behalf of this party. I’ve steered and led one of Kogi’s most difficult conventions, and I’ve come out unscathed.

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“Based on the experience of my Deputy, my Secretary, and the support of all the governors and everyone here, including those who are out there supporting this party, I am confident that we will have one of the best conventions and national working committees ever.

“That is not to say that the party’s current leadership has performed admirably. They have performed exceptionally well. Before we were robbed, they took this party from 10 governors to around 17 governors. So, by 2023, I believe we will be back to where we were in 2015, with approximately 28 governors and the President.”

The governor requested that the zoning committee complete all arrangements in one week so that the convention committee can finish its work in a timely manner.

“In order for us to begin our work in earnest, I request that the zoning committee walk through and complete their assignment by the end of next week at the latest, so that we can begin our work. It’s not an order, but it’s the last thing we expect from you by the end of next week.

“Round up your work so that those who want to run for and hold these crucial positions in our party will begin crisscrossing Nigeria.”

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Acting Chairman of the party, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi, had earlier stated that the committee members were carefully chosen to accommodate all of the party’s organs.

“I make the bold claim, on behalf of the National Working Committee, that all of the party’s critical organs are represented in the main committee, as are the geographical zones and states of the federation.

“Given the makeup of this committee, Nigerians and indeed all PDP stakeholders should expect nothing less than a successful national elective convention,” he said.

Ndudi Elumelu, the House Minority Leader, said in his goodwill message that the ruling party has messed up the economy and exposed the country to intractable insecurity, and he urged members of the ruling party to band together and work to take over governance in 2023.

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“Our national security has been compromised by the APC-led government, which is now in charge of escalating bloodshed, terrorism, and unrelenting acts of banditry to the point where mass murder is becoming the new normal in our country.

“It is truly pathetic that all of our country’s productive sectors have been crippled by the APC-led government. In Nigeria, infrastructural decay and skyrocketing food and essential commodity prices have made life unbearable. Returning the PDP to power in 2023 is our only hope, and we must not let our countrymen down.

“Against this backdrop, we must approach the National Convention with a strong sense of unity, duty, and patriotism in order to elect competent, committed, and experienced leaders to lead our party and Nigerians to victory in the general elections of 2023.

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“In this regard, our party members and Nigerians in general expect aspirants to various positions to show the highest level of sportsmanship so that we can have a smooth, successful, credible, and people-oriented national convention. Overall, Nigerians’ interests and well-being must take precedence.”

The convention will take place on the 31st of October 2023 in Abuja’s Eagle Square.

The BoT Chairman, Sen. Walid Jibrin, Tom Ikimi, Prof. Jerry Gana, members of the NWC, and many other stakeholders were in attendance.

Dortmund’s Haaland and Bellingham have piqued the interest of Manchester United, City, and Liverpool

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Marco Rose, the coach of Borussia Dortmund, has stated that he will do everything possible to keep Jude Bellingham and Erling Braut Haaland at the Bundesliga club, despite the fact that the young stars have attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs after forming an impressive partnership.

Dortmund, who are currently in third place in Germany’s top flight, face Union Berlin on Sunday, looking to extend their four-match winning streak, which includes a 2-1 Champions League victory over Besiktas on Wednesday, in which Bellingham was named man-of-the-match.

The England midfielder, who turned 18 in June, scored the game’s first goal with a brilliant finish before waltzing through the defense to set up Haaland, 21, for his 21st Champions League goal in 17 games.

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Haaland’s contract expires in 2024, a year before Bellingham’s, but both are targets for Europe’s top clubs, prompting Rose to be asked about transfer speculation on numerous occasions.

According to reports, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Manchester City are all interested in signing Haaland and Bellingham next summer.

“We currently have two boys (Haaland and Bellingham) playing for us… Everything else is just rumors,” Rose explained.

“I will do everything I can to keep them,” Rose added, pondering whether to “tie them down” to new contracts.
Haaland has 66 goals in 66 games for Dortmund, but his contract has a release clause that kicks in next year, allowing him to leave for 75 million euros ($88 million).

Dortmund are reportedly considering Chelsea striker Timo Werner as a replacement, according to Sport Bild.

If Wolfsburg wins their fifth game in a row at home against Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday, they will remain in first place.

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Second-placed Bayern Munich are favorites to beat Bochum at home in their first meeting since 2009/10, fresh off a midweek Champions League win at Barcelona.
Bayern are boosted by the news that Leon Goretzka and Joshua Kimmich, both of Germany’s midfielders, have extended their contracts.

Bochum coach Thomas Reis says his team has been “waiting 11 years for a game like this,” but the visitors must rebound from recent losses to Hertha Berlin and Cologne to avoid a humiliating defeat at the Allianz Arena.

the backside Greuther Fuerth would be content to win ugly on Friday against Hertha Berlin, the team they displaced from the bottom of the table.

Former OPIC MD Odusolu is indicted by the Ogun Assembly for allegedly missing N20 billion

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Babajide Odusolu, the former Managing Director of the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC), has been indicted by the Ogun State House of Assembly for allegedly stealing N20 billion.

The Assembly also ordered Odusolu to return to the State coffers a sum of N40 million that was allegedly unaccounted for in 2019.

The lawmakers said they received and adopted the report of their Committee on Public Accounts and Anti-Corruption, which considered the 2015-2019 State Auditor-report General’s on OPIC, and asked anti-graft agencies to investigate and recover a balance of N2,579,771,717.71 into the State’s coffers.

Musefiu Lamidi, the committee’s Chairman, had proposed the report’s adoption, which was seconded by Oludaisi Elemide and supported by others in a voice vote.

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According to the report, “the Committee observed that the audit report revealed that in 2019, the Corporation expended a total of N1,197,182,579.27 and the balance is N2,620,596,187.38 after generating an income (including subventions and grants) of N3,817,778,776.65 and the balance is N2,620,596,187.38 after generating an income (including subventions and grants) of N3,817,778,776.65 and the balance is N At the end of 2018, the expected bank balance was N685,194,035.01, bringing the total expected balance to N3,305,790,222.39, which was available to the Corporation.

“According to the bank balance sheets submitted to the Committee for the year 2019, there was a total of N726,018,504.68 in the bank balance sheets, representing an unaccounted balance of N2,579,771,717.71.”

The Assembly noted in its recommendation that the sale of 8.2 hectares of land at Isheri to Rainerhill Internationals Services Limited, a Pesianas Group subsidiary, for the “undervalued price of N164M” was not in the best interests of the state.

Despite the Assembly’s request that all title documents issued in favor of Rainerhill Internationals Services Limited on the land be declared null and void, it maintained that OPIC should retain land ownership.

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In addition, the Committee requested retrospective legislative approval for a “expended unbudgeted sum of N881.5 million,” failing which Odusolu was expected to refund the money to the government in six months.

It was also suggested that the embargo on a sum of N608,226,371.69 held by 16 OPIC banks be lifted.

The Assembly also requested that a “proposed 5-star Hotel, Ikeja” be investigated, despite the fact that “a sum of N45,025,064:00 was expended to obtain title documents.”

COVID-19: WHO, IMF, and others express concern about the global vaccination target of 40% by 2021

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The Multilateral Leaders Task Force, which includes the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group (WB), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Trade Organization (WTO), has expressed concern that without immediate action, the world may not be able to reach the end-of-2020 target of vaccinating at least 40% of the population in all countries, which is a critical milestone for ending the pandemic and for g

The Task Force stated its position at a meeting with CEOs of leading vaccine manufacturing companies to discuss strategies to improve COVID-19 vaccine access, particularly in low- and lower-middle-income countries and Africa.

The Task Force has joined forces to accelerate access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics by leveraging multilateral finance and trade solutions, especially for low- and middle-income countries.

The goal is to vaccinate at least 40% of the population in each country by the end of 2021, and at least 60% by the middle of 2022.

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The Task Force members stated in a statement that, despite adequate global vaccine production in aggregate, vaccine doses are not reaching low- and lower middle-income countries in sufficient quantities, resulting in a vaccine inequity crisis.

As a result, the Task Force urged countries that have purchased large quantities of vaccine doses, as well as vaccine manufacturers, to work together in good faith to expedite COVID-19 vaccine supplies to COVAX and AVAT, two multilateral mechanisms that are critical for equitable vaccine distribution.

The Task Force members praised the CEOs’ willingness to collaborate with them to eliminate vaccine inequity, as well as their willingness to form a technical working group with the Task Force to share and coordinate vaccine production and delivery information.

They stressed, however, that if the 40 percent coverage threshold is to be met in all countries by the end of 2021, countries with high vaccination rates that have collectively pre-purchased over two billion doses in excess of what is needed to fully vaccinate their populations should “swap their near-term delivery schedules with COVAX and AVAT; fulfill their dose requirements as soon as possible.”

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The Task Force argued that doses should be delivered to the countries that need them the most, especially low- and lower-middle-income countries.

As a result, it has requested that vaccine manufacturers share information on month-by-month delivery schedules for all vaccine shipments, particularly COVAX and AVAT.

WHO emphasized its call for a moratorium on booster doses until the end of 2021, with the exception of the immune-compromised, in order to help low-income countries optimize their supply.

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The Task Force also urged all countries to address COVID-19 vaccine export restrictions, high tariffs, and customs bottlenecks, as well as the raw materials and supplies needed for vaccine production and timely distribution.

Yahaya Bello is one of Nigeria’s best-performing governors – Group

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The Convener is on your side. Prof Chris Mustapha Nwaokobia Jnr, a Nigerian academic, has urged Nigerians to rise above sentiment and fake news in the case of Kogi State Governor.

Prof Chris insisted in a press statement that Yahaya Bello has continued to do well in transforming Kogi state, which he personally signed.

The statement reads as follows:

“Is the young man who governs the state of Kogi from the Lugard House in Lokoja today one of Nigeria’s best performing governors? Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes Is his reign over Kogi dull and uninteresting? The answer is a resounding NO. So you might be wondering why he treats his political foes like ants and honey. Don’t worry about it; they criticize him, oppose him, and lie about him and the State of Kogi because he isn’t part of the cult of egocentric and self-serving political operators. In Kogi, he has accomplished great things and continues to do so.”

“Have you ever wondered why there has been an uncanny desperation to strip Kogi State of her well-deserved status as the safest state in the North and the second safest state in Nigeria? It’s all about 2023 politics. It’s about self-serving politicians and their ungodly quest for power, which is devious, foul, impish, and impious in every way. But don’t lose hope just yet; security agencies in Kogi are compiling a list of the provocateurs’ names and sponsors, and will, as always, bring them to justice. Yahaya Bello has kept that promise several times, and according to the rumour mill, almost all of the fleeing convicts are back in custody following the staged jailbreak a few days ago. Tell them we’re keeping an eye on them.”

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“If they aren’t planning violence, they are promoting lies in the media,” says the author. They are lying and paying the media to make mountains out of mole hills if they are not procuring and sponsoring violence. And when they’re not lying about salaries that have since been paid, they’re sponsoring lies in the media about corruption and monies allegedly fixed in banks, stories that are both unfounded and demonic. How much more perplexed and devious can they get? But their lies aren’t going to stick.”

“There is a growing hoard of soulless lie mongering, rumour churning, falsehood growing, deception cultivating, blackmail dishing, and tale feasting political hirelings working against Kogi State and Yahaya Bello, and their brief is satanic and wicked. Their lies, on the other hand, will not stick because we are ready, willing, and able to pierce their devious script with the bludgeoning fervency of TRUTH.”

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“The truth is that Kogi State, under the watchful eye of Governor Yahaya Bello, the 46-year-old Technocrat in Lugard House affectionately known as GYB, is the safest state in the north and the second safest state in Nigeria, as determined by all available security index locally and internationally.”

“The truth is that Kogi State is Nigeria’s most gender sensitive state, with the country’s longest-serving female Secretary to State Government, mind-boggling minimums such as females serving as Local Government Council Deputies in all Local Governments where men serve as Chairmen, females serving as Speakers of all Local Government Council Legislatures, and the only female ADC to a Governor. Kogi State stands out as a shining example of what good governance and leadership should look like.”

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“The truth is that Kogi State is at the top of the list when it comes to servicing and reducing local debts. Yahaya Bello, the Accountant and Auditor who also happens to be the Governor of Kogi State, has clearly excelled in the management of the state’s resources, as evidenced by his ability to service and reduce the state’s local debts in addition to effectively running the state. So tell the liars and peddlers of lies against GYB that their lies will not stick, and that truth will always triumph over lies.”

“The truth is that Kogi owes none of her employees, and Kogi State owes no Medical Doctors or Health Workers. As a result, we will continue to debunk the perfidy and chicanery of political operatives and their paymasters; yes, their lies will not stick, because Kogi will remain a question mark on their conscience, nay on our collective conscience”.

“The truth is that Lokoja, Kogi State’s capital, is currently one of Africa’s fastest growing cities. Do your homework and avoid the deception of blackmailers and haters who are awestruck by the capacity and competency of the magician known as Governor Yahaya Bello GYB”.

“The truth is that under GYB’s supervision, one of Nigeria’s most functional rice mills is located in Kogi State. The largest health facility in West Africa is nearly completed in Kogi State. Today, Kogi State has one of Nigeria’s most effective skill acquisition programs, and the state is one of the most agriculturally friendly in the country. So, when you hear the lies of the conscienceless politicians out there, confront them with the unmistakable truths that we have presented to you.”

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“We will continue to expose the lies that they spread about GYB while also correcting the record. And we will not stop confronting their lies with the unwavering and redeeming power of TRUTH.”

“From now until 2023, we will continue to drum up and consistently raise the phenomenal Youth known as GYB as the bastion of the new deal for Nigeria. And we will continue to urge our country to focus on ideas and policy rather than lies and mudslinging. Nigeria is blessed by God.” He stated

BREAKING: Unknown gunmen assassinate Miyetti Allah Chairman in Kaduna

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Abubakar Abdullahi, the chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association of Nigeria, was assassinated in Lere LGA, Kaduna state, by unidentified gunmen.

The attack happened early Friday morning, according to Ibrahim Bayero Zango, MACBAN’s Director of Media and Publicity in Kaduna. He said the armed men stormed the Chairman’s house and demanded N20 million from him.

Before they whisked him away and shot him dead on the Saminaka-Mariri-Zango highway, he told them he didn’t have.

“One of our members called early this morning to inform the leadership of the state branch of MACBAN that unknown gunmen attacked the home of the chairman of MACBAN in Lere LG and killed him,” Zango said.

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“When they arrived at his house around 1:00 a.m., they demanded N20 million from him in exchange for his life, but he told them he didn’t have any money.”

“Despite the fact that he was able to raise N250,000 for the assailants, they took him to the outskirts of town along the Saminaka-Mariri-Zango highway and shot him to death.”