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Group warns Amnesty International, NGOs against demoralizing troops curtailing insecurity

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Group warns Amnesty International, NGOs against demoralizing troops curtailing insecurity

 

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has cautioned Amnesty International and other non-governmental organisations in the country against attempts to distract and undermine the troops on the frontline.

According to the centre, the allegation of excessive use of force by security agents in the South-East is another scheme targeted at dampening the morale of security personnel helping to restore sanity across the country .

The group made this known at a press conference on Monday in Abuja to address the systematic attack on the Armed Forces’ efforts in addressing the security challenges in the country.

Comrade Paul Ikyado, the Executive Director of the SHAC, said that the rights group have consistently displayed deep-seated anger against the security agencies in Nigeria for inexplicable reasons.

Ikyado noted that in the past, this has given insurgents and other criminal elements the impetus to further carry out deadly attacks on innocent Nigerians, including women and children in the North-East

The group wondered why the heinous crimes committed by the Eastern Security Network, the militant wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra has been overlooked by the rights group.

The SHAC, therefore, warned Amnesty International that any more act of sabotage against troops will not be tolerated.

It further charged the leadership of the various security agencies in the country to continue to give their best in this critical point by not succumbing to the cheap blackmail perpetrated by Amnesty

The centre, however, advised Amnesty International to be circumspect in its public outings and retrace its steps, calling a spade a spade and not taking sides with terrorists and criminal groups under the guise of human rights advocates

Read the full statement below:

The leadership of the Save Humanity Advocacy Centre warmly welcomes you all to this press conference put together to put issues in proper perspectives with regards to the recent press statement credited to Amnesty International on the excessive use of force by security operatives in South-East Nigeria.

Amnesty International has consistently displayed deep-seated anger against the security agencies in Nigeria for inexplicable reasons. It is on record that Amnesty International, over the years, have engaged in acts that undermine national security in Nigeria and the efforts of the security agencies in addressing the security challenges in the country.
This act is worrisome because whenever the security agencies are recording gains in the fight against insurgency and other acts of criminalities, Amnesty International would come up with trumped-up allegations that aim to cause a distraction for the security agencies.

The recent press statement alleged that the security agencies employed excessive force in South-East Nigeria. This is an example of the ignoble role of Amnesty International in festering conflict in Nigeria.

This trend has in times past given insurgents and other criminal elements the impetus to further carry out deadly attacks on innocent Nigerians, including women and children in North-East Nigeria and other parts of the country.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre frowns at such disposition from an organization that claims to be advocating for respect for human rights across the globe, whereas it has been covertly providing intellectual support for terrorist groups and fueling conflict in countries where they operate.

This recent case is indeed an assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians and a systematic attack on the Armed Forces’ efforts in addressing the security challenges in the country. This is indeed condemnable and an act of terrorism in itself.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre is indeed alarmed that Amnesty International could issue such a statement accusing the Armed Forces of using excessive force in its operations to rid South-East Nigeria of criminal elements.

The tactic support for the Eastern Security Network by Amnesty International leaves a lot to the imagination in the sense that they have either by commission or omission refused to condemn the atrocities perpetrated by this group of an armed militia group, whose activities have resulted in arson, looting, and destruction of government infrastructures in some states in South-East Nigeria.

Amnesty International has also feigned ignorance to the heinous crimes committed by the Eastern Security Network, the militant wing of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra and tactically given their support for the rise of militancy and insurrection in Nigeria.

Amnesty International is quick to assert “human rights violations and crimes under international law in Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia state from January 2021”, but it is blind to the burning down of police stations, courts, killing of security agents, and attack on government properties by members of the Eastern Security Network.

This is indeed conceivable and a reason for the generality of Nigerians to see through the veiled deceit in the activities of Amnesty International in Nigeria over the years.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre views the statement of Amnesty International as deliberate and too much of a coincidence in its constant criticism of the Armed Forces, especially in times where gains are recorded in the prosecution of the war against crime and criminalities in Nigeria. It is thus succinct to state that enough is enough for Amnesty International and their conspirators in Nigeria, for we shall no longer tolerate acts of sabotage.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre indeed stands with the renewed efforts of the security agencies in addressing the security challenges in South-East and Nigeria at large, especially when the terrorist, bandits and other criminal elements are already feeling the heat.

We consequently charge the leadership of the various security agencies in the country to continue to give their best in this critical point of our existence by not succumbing to the cheap blackmail perpetrated by Amnesty International and their sponsors.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre also encourages those patriotic and dedicated security operatives in the line of duty to continue to render selfless service to the country by not been distracted by the disjointed narrative of Amnesty International that aims to give support to terrorists and militant groups in the country.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre wishes to use this medium to advise Amnesty International to be circumspect in its public outings and retrace its steps by calling a spade a spade and not taking sides with terrorists and criminal groups under the guise of human rights advocates. The era of masquerading as human rights advocates is gone as Nigerians are now aware of their antics and more committed to resisting their shenanigans.

The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre extends its appreciation to all present. It wishes to pledge its unalloyed support to the security agencies in their noble effort at the riding country of terrorist and criminal elements.
Thank you all, and God bless Nigeria.

Abba Kyari and the troubles of extradition by Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.: What the law says

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Abba Kyari and the troubles of extradition by Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.: What the law says

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a 69-page court document on July 28 revealing that Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari had been under intense investigation as an accomplice of Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, also known as Hushuppi, who had already pleaded guilty to fraud related charges. According to the document, Abba Kyari is one of six people accused of being involved in a $1.1 million international fraud scheme. The FBI asked a US District Court in California to order Kyari’s arrest within 10 days in a case marked 2:21-CR-00203, USA VS Abba Alhaji Kyari, dated April 29, 2021, and the court agreed. As a result, Kyari is wanted in the United States for criminal prosecution.

Several resource persons have argued that a Nigerian citizen who enjoys the full force and protection of the constitution can be extradited to the United States to face criminal charges, despite the fact that Nigeria is a sovereign state and, under the doctrine of sovereignty, no state or country can interfere in the activities of another state or arrest its citizens. As a result, it is critical to comprehend what extradition entails.

Extradition is the legal process by which a person accused or convicted of a crime is transferred to the country (Receiving State) where he or she has been declared wanted for trial or sentenced to serve a sentence by a court of law. Extradition is the process of returning someone accused of a crime by a different legal authority to the requesting authority for trial or punishment, as defined by the Court of Appeal in George Udeozor v Federal Republic of Nigeria CA/L/376/05. To begin extradition proceedings, a person must be wanted for trial and have a warrant issued by a court requiring that the person be brought to court to answer criminal allegations.

Read also: Breaking: The arrest warrant for Abba Kyari has not been served on us – AGF

It is important to remember that no country can exist in isolation, as all countries engage in one or two bilateral relationships in order to strengthen their economic strength, military capability, and international influence, which are the three goals of sovereign nations. Countries sign or enter treaties to satisfy these needs, resulting in a legally binding document containing terms and agreements to ensure and maintain cordial relations at all times.

Nigeria has an extradition treaty with the US, which was signed on December 22, 1931, by the United Kingdom, Nigeria’s colonial masters, and the United States. It went into effect on June 24, 1935, and was applicable to all British colonies, including Nigeria.

 

The Extradition Act of 1966, which was enacted on December 31, 1966 and went into effect in January of 1967, is the primary law governing extradition in Nigeria. It was passed to repeal all previous extradition laws enacted by or applicable to Nigeria, as well as to establish a more comprehensive legal framework for the extradition of fugitive offenders. The Federal Ministry of Justice also issued the Extradition Modification Order 2014, Federal High Court (Extradition Proceedings) Rules 2015, and Guidelines. The court in General Sani Abacha & 3 Ors v Chief Gani Fawhenmi (supra) emphasized the applicable laws to extradition in Nigeria, holding, among other things, that: the extradition treaty between the United States of America and the United Kingdom, dated December 22, 1931, and made applicable to Nigeria by a Legal Instrument on June 24, 1935, is an existing law by virtue of the provisions of section 315(4); (B). As a result, Nigeria remains bound by the treaty, which was ratified in subsequent legislation such as the Extradition Act of 1966, the (Extradition Modification) Order, 2014, the Extradition Act (Proceedings) Rules, 2015, and other International Protocols.

Read also: Abba Kyari replied to claims linking him to infamous fraudster Hushpuppi

According to Article 1 of the Treaty, the contracting parties agreed to hand over persons in their territories who are accused or convicted of committing specific crimes within the jurisdiction of one of the parties. Then, under Article 3 of the Treaty, there are offenses for which accused persons or convicts can be extradited in accordance with the agreement, including obtaining money or other assets through fraudulent means and bribery, including receiving bribes, both of which are elements of the crime for which Kyari has been declared wanted in the United States.

 

It’s worth noting that the Dual Criminality Principle, which governs extradition, states that offenses are extraditable if they’re punishable under both parties’ laws by imprisonment or other deprivation of liberty for at least two years or a more severe penalty. When extradition proceedings are based on a treaty, the extraditable offenses will be specified in the treaty. By virtue of section 1, the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of Nigeria 2006 criminalizes the same offence that Abba Kyari is accused of in the United States, putting it in line with this principle.

 

The US must formally apply to Nigeria for Kyari’s extradition through the Attorney General’s office, which will first determine whether there is sufficient evidence to initiate an extradition proceeding in the Federal High Court. In the case of GEORGE UZOR V FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (ibid), it was emphasized that the Attorney General, not the court, has the responsibility and powers to determine the conditionality for granting an extradition request. The Attorney General, who is also the Chief Legal Officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has the authority to initiate extradition proceedings under the Act’s provisions. The court emphasized that it is the AG’s responsibility to receive a request for a fugitive criminal’s surrender in Nigeria.

Read also: Dignitaries converged on Abuja to honour late Abba Kyari at book launch

However, not all circumstances or alleged crimes committed by an accused person will result in extradition. Article 6 states that a fugitive criminal may not be surrendered for extradition if the crime for which extradition is sought is of a political nature, or if the subject can show that the demand for extradition was made to punish him for a political crime. However, it is clear from the FBI document that the crime for which Abba Kyari is wanted is not a political crime. As a result, if sufficient evidence in connection with the charge is presented in a Nigerian court, the court will issue an extradition order in accordance with Article 9.

 

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Nigeria has faced an extradition request. Extradition proceedings were filed in some cases, and the application was found to have merit, and the accused persons were extradited to face their crimes, while others were not. The following are some of these examples:

mmanuel Ehidiamhen Okoyomon

The United Kingdom requested that he be extradited so that he could face charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 of the English Law. The court found the application to be valid, and an order for his extradition was also issued.

Adedeji Adeniran

Adedeji Adeniran, 56, was extradited to the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida. On November 3, he arrived in the United States. Adeniran was the leader of a criminal organization that perpetrated a $4.1 million bank fraud, mail fraud, and wire fraud scheme that involved 42 victims.

Kingsley Edgebe

The Netherlands filed an extradition request to bring him to face the charges brought against him by the National Public Prosecutor’s Office in Rotterdam, which include: Commission of Human Trafficking, Commission of Human Smuggling, Falsification of Travel Documents, Acts of Forgery of Documents, Abduction of Minors from the Authority Having Legal Custody/Supervision over them, Partition of Minors from the Authority Having Legal Custody/Supervision over them, Partition The court dismissed the extradition application as incompetent after a thorough examination of Section 1 of the Extradition Act and Section 12 of the Constitution.

Read also: US government filed a 97,000-page document in court as evidence of alleged fraud against Abidemi Rufai’s aide

 

Lawal Babafemi

Lawal Olaniyi Babafemi, alias Ayatollah Mustapha, was extradited to the United States to face charges related to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a militant Islamist group, according to documents. He was allegedly paid $8,600 (N3.5 million) to return to Nigeria and recruit English-speaking individuals for AQAP’s English-language media operation. He was extradited to the United States and charged with conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization and illegal firearms use.

Buruji Kashamu

In Nigeria, Buruji Kashamu was a senator. Kashamu was charged with conspiracy to import heroin, a controlled substance, into the United States by a grand jury in 1998. Three of his alleged co-conspirators provided incriminating evidence, which led to his indictment. Kashamu, on the other hand, has denied the allegations. The US was adamant in its demand that Kashamu be extradited to the country. Kashamu was ordered to answer his drug charges by a US Court of Appeal in Chicago, Illinois, in 2016. In light of existing judgments and orders in favor of the plaintiff that had gone unchallenged, the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled that neither the Federal Government nor any of its agents could validly initiate extradition proceedings against Kashamu. However, he died of COVID-19 complications in August 2020.

 

It is clear from the foregoing that the Nigerian government has an extradition treaty with the United States.

US government filed a 97,000-page document in court as evidence of alleged fraud against Abidemi Rufai’s aide

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US government filed a 97,000-page document in court as evidence of alleged fraud against Abidemi Rufai’s aide

The US government has filed a 97,000-page document in court as evidence of alleged fraud against Abidemi Rufai, an aide to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun who has been suspended.

According to court filings obtained by Premium Times, the prosecution presented the evidence on July 26 in the US District Court for the Western District of Washington in Tacoma.

Both the prosecution and the defense have requested that the August 31 trial date be postponed, citing the “voluminous and complex” nature of the evidence presented.

On August 3, 2021, the agreed-upon application was filed.

The document also stated that “much of the material may need to be redacted before it can be provided to the defendant.”

Read also: The Senate is not in a position to create new states, according to a spokesman

The government is currently executing two additional electronic search warrants, according to the document, because much of the material “contains personal identifying information or sensitive financial information.”

On May 24, 2021, Rufai was apprehended in New York while attempting to flee the country.

During the Covid-19 pandemic last year, prosecutors say he stole $350,000 in unemployment benefits from the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) using the identities of more than 100 Washington residents.

Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother suspended the group’s sit-at-home

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Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother suspended the group’s sit-at-home

The Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, has suspended the group’s sit-at-home order for observation every Monday in the south-east.

Kanunta Kanu’s announcement came just hours after the IPOB announced that a protest would begin on August 9 in order to pressure the Federal Government to release Mr Kanu, who is currently detained for treasonous felony.

Kanunta said in a statement on Sunday that the planned sit-at-home directive had been postponed to allow students in the geopolitical zone to take part in the National Examination Council.

He stated that the exercise would be rescheduled at a later date.

Kanunta said the group made the decision after hearing from well-intentioned individuals and groups both inside and outside the region.

Read also: Lalong expresses his regret for the attacks on Plateau communities

“We decided to shift grounds over the sit-at-home order after hearing pleas from well-meaning individuals and groups within and outside Biafra land that we consider the fate of our children who will be involved in the NECO Exam,” he said.

“Having recognized the academic deprivation that the already marginalized Biafra students who entered this year’s NECO would face, the IPOB decided to postpone the sit-at-home order until a later date, allowing the students to take their exams.

“Allowing the sit-at-home protest to take place as planned in the face of the NECO Exam would be assisting Biafra’s enemies in inflicting more injuries on her children.

“As a group fighting for the liberation of her people from oppression by her enemies, we realized that not suspending the sit-at-home order to allow Biafra students to take their exams would amount to assisting the said enemies in inflicting more harm on our children.

“The sit-at-home order has been suspended for the benefit of Biafra students taking the NECO Exam this year. IPOB members around the world and Biafrans in general should wait for further instructions in this regard.”

Banditry: Acknowledge Buhari’s failure, the PDP tells Masari

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Banditry: Acknowledge Buhari’s failure, the PDP tells Masari

The People’s Democratic Party has urged Katsina State Governor Aminu Bello Masari to “stop his empty lamentations over the state’s persistent banditry.”

Instead, the party urged him to “be on the side of the people by boldly declaring that President Muhammadu Buhari and his All Progressives Congress Federal Government have failed.”

“By not shedding his parochial politics to join other patriotic Nigerians in voicing out to President Buhari, the truth of his failures, Masari is doing a great disservice to his people, who have fallen victims to persistent banditry, owing to President Buhari’s incompetence and inability to secure the nation,” the PDP claimed.

Read also: Lalong expresses his regret for the attacks on Plateau communities

The party’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said this in a press statement titled, “Banditry: Don’t Be Hypocritical, Tell Buhari He Has Failed, PDP Counsels Masari…Cautions Buhari to Shape Up or Ship Out.”

“It is indeed a distressing and colossal mark of failure that President Buhari’s home state, Katsina, is being taken over by bandits, who are now overrunning local governments, killing, rapping, maiming, and pillaging innocent citizens, while Mr. President, who promised to lead the fight against insurgency from the fronts, continues to recede deeper into the safety and cohesion of the country, while Mr. President, who promised to lead the fight against

“It is deeply disturbing that, while Mr. President is engaged in pointless rhetoric in Abuja, bandits are having a field day in persistent attacks on ten local government areas, killing and robbing innocent citizens on a daily basis,” Governor Masari said.

“While it is well known that President Buhari has failed, particularly in his three-pronged focus of security, economy, and anti-corruption, it is regrettable that his administration has remained aloof, cold, and unconcerned as bandits ravage our citizens in most states, particularly in Mr. President’s home state. What a disaster!

Read also: Breaking: Capt. Hosa Okunbo, a billionaire businessman, died at the age of 63

“President Buhari and Governor Masari must understand that history will not be kind to them or their party, the APC, for their incompetence, insensitivity, and failures in governance, which have wreaked havoc on our beloved country.

“For the umpteenth time, the PDP calls on President Buhari to wake up to his office’s responsibilities, pick himself up, and lead from the front in the fight against insurgents, as he promised during his campaign. Either he needs to change his ways or he needs to leave.

“However, our party urges Nigerians, particularly the people of Katsina state, not to succumb to despair over President Buhari’s failures, while charging our valiant troops to remain strong as we work tirelessly to rescue our country from the APC’s misrule, which has resulted in the escalation of our country’s woes.”

Covid-19: The FG has decided to postpone the second round of vaccinations

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Covid-19: The FG has decided to postpone the second round of vaccinations

The Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 has announced that the second batch of Covid-19 Moderna vaccine doses donated by the US government will be postponed in order to intensify the virus’s fight.

In a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, the Director Press, PSC, on Covid-19, Willie Bassey, confirmed this.

The exercise was originally set to start on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at the Federal Medical Centre in Jabi, Abuja.

The PSC announced the start of the virus’s second phase of vaccination after receiving four million doses of moderna vaccine donated by the US government through COVAX.

Joe Biden, the US President, pledged in May to share 80 million vaccines with countries around the world to protect the world’s most vulnerable people. Africa is expected to receive 25 million of this total.

The first shipments have arrived in Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Ethiopia, and now Nigeria.

The exercise was postponed, according to Bassey, due to unforeseen circumstances.

“This is to announce the postponement of the national flag-off of phase 11 vaccination program earlier scheduled for Tuesday this week due to unforeseen circumstances,” the statement reads in part.

It stated, “A new date will be communicated.”

The government confirmed the third wave of the pandemic in the country, following an increase in Covid-19 cases linked to highly transmissible delta variants.

Read also: In Kwara, seven wedding guests, the pastor, and five others were kidnapped

According to data from the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), the country had 177,615 coronavirus cases and 2,185 fatalities as of Aug. 7.

Despite the fact that the country began immunizing its citizens against Covid-19 in early March, only 3,938,945 people have been vaccinated across 36 states and the FCT.

2,534,205 people have received their first dose of the vaccine, and 1,404,205 have received their second dose of the vaccine.

Nigeria began vaccination with the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, which is given in two doses. After the first jab, a person is required to return for a second jab a few weeks later.

The government announced the end of vaccination of the first batch after approximately four million doses of vaccines delivered through the COVAX facility were exhausted.

COVAX is a United Nations-backed initiative that aims to provide vaccines to up to 20% of the populations of participating countries.

Read also: In Kwara, seven wedding guests, the pastor, and five others were kidnapped

The Nigerian government set an ambitious goal of vaccinating 40% of the country’s over 200 million people by the end of 2021, and 70% by the end of 2022, in order to achieve herd immunity against the virus.

“The vaccine roll-out will be in four phases, beginning with health workers, frontline workers, the Covid-19 rapid response team, the laboratory network, policemen, petrol station workers, and strategic leaders,” said Dr. Faisal Shuaib, executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA.

 

The Senate is not in a position to create new states, according to a spokesman

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The Senate is not in a position to create new states, according to a spokesman

The Senate claims it is not in a position to propose or recommend the creation of new states unless Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic, as amended, is followed.

Senator Ajibola Basiru, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said in a statement yesterday.

The statement, titled ‘Senate Committee Did Not Propose Creation of 20 New States,’ was issued in response to reports that the Senate Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by the Senate Deputy President, Ovie Omo-Agege, had recommended the creation of 20 new states in addition to the 36 currently in existence and Abuja.

Read also: For striking doctors, the FG enforces a no-work, no-pay order and opens attendance registers

According to Basiru, it is up to the Independent National Electoral Commission to decide where a new state should be established.

“Far from recommending the creation of any state,” the statement says, “the Senate committee, while acknowledging receipt of several bills proposing the creation of new states, decided that it is not in a position to recommend or propose the creation of any state unless there is compliance with the provisions of Section 8 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic as amended.”

Lalong expresses his regret for the attacks on Plateau communities

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Lalong expresses his regret for the attacks on Plateau communities

The recent attacks on communities in his state by suspected herdsmen, according to Governor Simon Lalong, are regrettable.

Despite the government’s efforts to address the problem, the governor lamented the state’s growing insecurity, noting that attacks on communities have continued unabated.

This was stated by Lalong during the launch of four books published by COCIN President, Rev. Dacholom Datiri, at the church headquarters in Jos yesterday.

He was responding to recent attacks by herdsmen on communities in the state’s Bassa and Riyom LGAs.

Maritime security: NIMASA will begin removing wrecks from Nigerian waters

“The recent attacks in Bassa and Riyom LGAs were regrettable, coming so soon after the state government spent a large sum of money to purchase and distribute 50 patrol vehicles and 200 motorcycles to security agencies,” Lalong said.

“Now is the time for everyone to act as a first line of defense by gathering intelligence, passing it on to security agencies, and taking all necessary precautions to avoid vulnerability.”

Four notorious bandits are killed by troops in the Kaduna forest valley

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Four notorious bandits are killed by troops in the Kaduna forest valley

In the Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, four notorious bandits were killed in a valley known as ‘Maikwandaraso.’

According to reports, the military used a ground and air assault on the four identified bandits’ enclaves to neutralize them.

The names of the bandits who were neutralized were Alili Bandiro, Dayyabu Bala, Bala Nagwarjo, and Sulele Bala, according to Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs Samuel Aruwan, who confirmed the news yesterday.

Read also: Maritime security: NIMASA will begin removing wrecks from Nigerian waters

Several other bandits, he claims, were eliminated in the same air and ground offensive cycle.

Maikwandaraso is close to Karshi village and shares borders with the infamous Kawara and Malul forests, both of which are located in the same Igabi LGA and have been identified as a hotbed of bandit camps and hideouts.

According to the Commissioner, Governor Nasir el-Rufai was ecstatic when he received word of the military’s valor in defeating the bandits.

In Kwara, seven wedding guests, the pastor, and five others were kidnapped

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In Kwara, seven wedding guests, the pastor, and five others were kidnapped

In two kidnapping incidents that occurred between the Kwara-Ekiti axis on Saturday evening, a total of 13 people were abducted, including seven wedding guests, a pastor, and his wife.

According to police sources, seven guests on their way back to Ilorin in a Sienna bus from a wedding in Ekiti State were kidnapped at a point between Oke-Onigbin and Omu-Aran in the Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State around 5.35 p.m. on Saturday.

A pastor and his wife, as well as four other people, were involved in the second incident, which occurred between Ekan-Meje in the Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State and Ekiti State.

SP Ajayi Okasanmi, the Public Relations Officer for the Kwara State Police Command, confirmed the two kidnapping incidents, but added that nine of the victims had been rescued.

Read also: Nasarawa APC is investigating the land commissioner for insubordination

In a press statement issued late yesterday, Okasanmi said that the joint security men rescued four of the seven victims of the first kidnapping incident that occurred between Oke-Onigbin and Omu-Aran, while only the pastor and his wife have yet to be rescued in the second incident.

“Reports of two kidnapping incidents were received simultaneously by the Kwara State Police Command on Saturday 07/08/2021 at about 1735hrs to the effect that, along Okeonigbin/Omuaran highway and Ekiti / Ekan Meje axis, six armed men emerged from the bush and stopped a Siena bus in transit from Ekiti state on its way to Ilorin and the seven occupants of the vehicle were marched,” the statement said.

“The Command quickly dispatched its tactical units, which included anti-kidnapping and anti-cultists units, as well as local hunters and vigilantes, while police patrols on the routes were alerted,” said the statement.

“The abductors were immediately chased into the bushes, and four of the seven abducted people were rescued; efforts to rescue the remaining three are still underway.

“Using similar tactics by operatives, those abducted in the Ekanmeje/Ekiti axis using the same modus were equally rescued, leaving only a pastor and his wife, whom the Command is frantically trying to rescue unharmed,” Okasanmi said.

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