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COVID-19: Kaduna govt orders shutdown of schools

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COVID-19: Kaduna govt orders shutdown of schools

The Kaduna State Government has directed all schools in the state to close on Wednesday, 16th December.

In a statement on Tuesday morning, Commissioner of Education, Alhaji Shehu Usman Muhammad said, “the ministry wishes to inform the general public, parents, guardians and students of the date of school’s closure due to rising cases of COVID-19 infections in the state which shows a replicate of figures recorded in the first wave of the pandemic in April, May and June 2020. Indicating that a new wave of the infection is rapidly spreading across the state.”

He said, “The state’s ministry of health has further confirmed that, while the infections cut across age groups, this new wave, especially, affects those between 10 and 35 years (which form a majority of the populace in the education sector).

“Thus, in it’s efforts to contain the spread of the pandemic and save the lives of people in the state, the Kaduna State Government is directing all Public, and private schools to conclude all necessary arrangements and close on Wednesday 16th December, 2020 as opposed to the initial closings.

“Therefore, all examinations must be concluded on or before, Tuesday, 15th December, 2020 in all institutions of learning across the State.

“Physical classes in the universities and other institutions of higher learning will not be held during the period of closure. Institutions can make other arrangements for teaching and learning and other activities in line with their conformity and contingency plans. In order to minimize the impact on learning and teaching, all schools will continue to plan lessons or where possible, provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so.

“However, learners in the basic, post basic and secondary schools levels can continue learning while at home from the Kaduna State TV and Radio e-learning programmes.”

He added that “While the state government continues exerting efforts to prevent the spread of the pandemic, the general public is urged to continuously comply with all COVID-19 protocols to avoid the likelihood of the worst case scenarios of the disease in the state.

“All residents of the State are, therefore, encouraged to adapt the spirit of the FORWARD campaign which encourages everyone to adhere to the guidelines provided by authorities in the healthcare sector which includes:

“Wearing face masks aways, observing physical distancing, respiratory hygiene, washing hands with soap under running water or using hand sanitizers, avoiding large gatherings, remaining indoors when there is no need to be outdoors and dieting, eating balanced meals to boost immunity.”

War Against Terrorism: Attempt by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to Demonize Nigerian Security Forces for ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ and War Crimes, a Shot in the Dark -GICN

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War Against Terrorism: Attempt by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to Demonize Nigerian Security Forces for ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ and War Crimes, a Shot in the Dark -GICN

A Nigerian based pro-democracy, human rights and justice sector group, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has condemned in strongest possible terms the attempt by the International Criminal Court (ICC) to blackmail the Nigerian Armed Forces and other security forces presently fighting the war against terrorism in some parts of Northern Nigeria. While speaking to newsmen in Abuja today, the Compliance Officer of the group, Barrister Peter Alake noted with bitterness that ICC under the leadership of Madame Fatou Bensouda as Chief Prosecutor is beginning to lose focus from being the international court of last resort for the common man that it used to be.

According to Alake, the planned move to investigate Nigerian security forces for so called “crimes against humanity” and war crimes is a shot in the dark, caricature and headless task which will yield no useful results. It rather exposed the ICC as giving tacit cover to Boko Haram terrorists so they can continually perpetrate their dastardly acts against innocent citizens. He added that Amnesty International, a crisis merchant with headquarters in London, United Kingdom over the years hoodwinked ICC into believing that the Nigerian Army being at the forefront of the counter-insurgency war violated rules of engagement in Northern Nigeria by abusing the rights of unarmed civilians.

In his words; “We at GICN are not unaware of the antics of Amnesty International which is being used by their paymasters in the Middle East to destroy Nigeria. They practically resorted to the continuous writing of damaging reports and petitions against the Nigerian Army years ago. On several occasions, Amnesty International accused our security agencies before the ICC of using brutal force and human rights violations while turning a blind eye to the nefarious activities of Boko Haram terrorists which have led to the death of more than 20,000 Nigerians since the year 2012”.

The group wondered why the Chief Prosecutor of ICC will choose to direct her powers towards distracting the military, and by extension, President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government of Nigeria from sustaining the gains so far recorded in restoring peace and security to Northern Nigeria. Obviously, Boko Haram terrorists are known for using the unconventional strategy of launching attacks on soft targets. This makes it extremely difficult to identify and isolate its members; hence attempts to repel them had often cost security agencies the lives of many personnel. We are therefore worried that the International Criminal Court is insisting that terrorists should be treated with kid’s glove and probably served tea at the theatre of war, even as they unleash mayhem on military officers.
Alake stated further; “As far as we are concerned, the hasty stance taken by Madame Fatou Bensouda as Chief Prosecutor of ICC to open investigation against the military points to pre-conviction. It has not been shown to our satisfaction that Nigerian Courts are unable to handle any human rights litigation that may have emanated from military-civilian relationship. What the Chief Prosecutor of ICC has done by her lopsided report gives us reason to suspect that she is part of the grand conspiracy to subtly expand neo-colonialist tendencies in Nigeria purely for selfish gains. The bitter truth is that ICC has found the African Continent a fertile ground for its sort of imperialist campaign. If we may ask; for how long will ICC continue to bully Nigeria with reports and threats of prosecution as though we are not a sovereign nation? To what extent has the self-serving ICC frowned at terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)”?
“Let it be known that the attempt by enemies of Nigeria using ICC to destabilize our democracy through promotion of insecurity and reckless killings in various parts of the country will never work. We shall vehemently resist any attempt at dampening the morale of our military forces and strengthening the terrorists. As a group made up of patriotic citizens, GICN has resolved to do everything possible to defend democracy in Nigeria not minding the cost. We submit that Fatou Bensouda, the ICC Chief Prosecutor, erred in her Annual Report on Preliminary Examination Activities (2018) wherein she posited that there is a reasonable basis to believe that Nigerian Security Forces committed crimes punishable under various Sections of the Rome Statute 2002. Judges of the International Criminal Court who have the final voting power must not grant approval for further harassment of our dear country”.
On the whole, we encourage the ever gallant Chief of Army Staff and leader of the counter insurgency war in Nigeria, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai to remain focused on the task at his hand. The soldiers who laid down their own lives that we may sleep with our two eyes closed are highly appreciated. We want them to be assured that our prayers are with them, especially at this crucial period when they are working round the clock to rescue Nigerian students abducted from the all-boys Government Science School in Kankara District, Katsina State on Friday, December 11, 2020.

Boko Haram leader, Shekau, is crippled — Captured terrorist

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Boko Haram leader, Shekau, is crippled — Captured terrorist

A captured Boko Haram fighter, identified as Mohammed Adam, has revealed that the leader of the terror sect, Abubakar Shekau can no longer walk properly.

According to Mohammed Adam, a Boko Haram fighter currently in the custody of the Army, Shekau was injured during an air bombardment of their camp in Timbuktu, Sambisa Forest, Borno State.

Adam disclosed that Shekau can no longer lead any operation physically. The suspect narrated that he was abducted by Boko Haram at the age of 10. The teenage fighter, who spent five years in captivity, claimed he knows Shekau personally.

“I am a well-trained insurgents war front soldier who specialised in weapons handling including AK-47 riffles and GPMG as well as planting IED’s along troops patrol route,”.

“We are also given training on other unconventional techniques to inflict heavy casualties on troops.”.

“I escaped with the intention of being rescued by the troops of the Nigerian army which will in turn afford me the opportunity of fulfilling my dreams of going to school to acquire knowledge,” said Adam.

He said he escaped from one of the camps in Sambisa forest due to hardship and hunger, resulting from cholera outbreak, which left over 500 militants and their families in critical condition.

Shekau had, in the wake of the slaughtering of 43 rice farmers in Borno, appeared in a 2 minutes video, in which he claimed, that the farmers were killed to as serve as deterrent to their colleagues who take delight in divulging their modes of operations to the Nigerian Army.

He vowed to deal ruthlessly with anyone working against the terrorist group.

Bloodbath in Iswap Camp Over Disapproval of the Appointment of Amir Aliyu Chakkar as Governor of Lake Chad Region

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Bloodbath in Iswap Camp Over Disapproval of the Appointment of Amir Aliyu Chakkar as Governor of Lake Chad Region

By David Otto

A deadly mutiny broke out at ISWAP terrorists’ self-proclaimed Headquarters, located at Koyowa, a remote camp in the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin, West and Central Africa region, with routes stretching towards the Sahel via the Niger Republic. Impeccable sources confirmed that the ISWAP jihadist clash occurred on Sunday, December 13th 2020, less than 24 hours after reports emerged of the appointment of a new ISWAP terrorists’ Governor of the Lake Chad region, Amir Aliyu Chakkar.

According to reports, more than 50 jihadists have died and several others seriously injured; from both loyalists and opposing units of the new Governor in a bloody shoot-out that lasted over half an hour. The chaotic but deadly gunfight began in the presence of ISWAP supreme leader, Amir Ba-Lawan. However, reports indicated he had to be whisked out of the fighting location by his bodyguards.

The newly appointed Governor of the Lake Chad Basin region, Amir Aliyu Chakkar, also narrowly escaped assassination. However, he was saved by his loyalist commanders, including Mohammed Maluma, Ali Hussaini and Ali Musak, all high-ranking ISWAP field Commanders staunchly loyal to him.

The Immediate Trigger

Sources say the bloodbath was triggered by bitter disapproval of the process and selection criteria employed in the appointment of Amir Aliyu Chakkar by the Shura. Some ISWAP commanders were not happy with the little-known Amir Aliyu Chakkar to lead what has been described as the most powerful command and control position. They envisage that by implications, he would control ISWAP operations in the entire fringes and countries of the Lake Chad Basin States; Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, and the Chad Republic also expand into the Sahel region via the Niger Republic. The opposing unit commanders fiercely argued that the appointment of Amir Aliyu Chakkar by the Shura Council was not based on merit, with some commanders pointing fingers on tribal affiliations, friendship and outright collusion pattern within the ISWAP leadership style. The bitter rejection of Aliyu Chakkar as the new Governor by commanders of opposing units turned into a bitter brawl and an ensuing gunfight.

Background to the Crisis

It will be recalled that the ISWAP Shura council had recently appointed Aliyu Chakkar as its new Governor of the Lake Chad region. The newly appointed “Governor” in his determined effort to consolidate his position, he went to Koyowa. He was spotted en route to see their supreme leader, Amir Ba-Lawan, the ISWAP leader at Koyowa, along with three of his trusted lieutenants; Mohammed Maluma, Ali Hussaini Ali Musak, all high-ranking ISWAP field Commanders. Very reliable sources stated that while at Koyowa, the ISWAP Headquarters, Ba-Lawan handed over the Lake Chad region’s mantle of leadership to the new “Governor.” On receiving his official appointment, Chakkar has sworn to consolidate on the command and control successes recorded by late Goni Maina. He promised to sustain previous plans of launching indiscriminate attacks in the coming months; presumably December 2020 and January/February of 2021 on unconfirmed military and civilian targets.

Chakkar and his group of loyalists fighters returned to Sabon Tumbu and Jubularam for a familiarisation tour. He is reported to have proceeded to his newly established command and control base at a location named as Doron Buhari. It is situated around the north of Kirta and east of Bakkassi town, where he was received by some other key ISWAP leaders including Malam Abubakar Dan Buduma, Amir Bin Umar, and Commander Hakilu.

The announcement of his leadership tour at Doron Buhari’ command and control’ hideout camp, led to bitter disapproval and petition by some key ISWAP commanders forcing ISWAP leader – Ba Lawan to summon Aliyu Chakkar back to Koyowa for clarification. While there, fighting broke out as opposing ISWAP commanders refused to pay respect to the new warlord.

Some commanders loyal to Ba-Lawan, the newly appointed “Governor” and Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, one of the surviving sons of Boko Haram terrorists group’s founder Muhammed Yusuf, blamed the incident on commanders who still retain connections and loyalty to the disabled veteran JAS leader, Abubakar Shekau, the ‘mother group’ of ISWAP.

It will be recalled that Amir Aliyu Chakkar replaced Amir Goni Maina after the ISWAP then “Governor” was eliminated in a Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force coordinated military bombardment. Goni Maina was killed alongside more than 100 jihadists in an intelligence led parallel operation while in the process of conducting a strategic leadership and operational meetings at Sabon Tumbu, Ingilwa, Tundun Wulgo, Jubularam and Abbaganaram fringes of the Lake Chad on December 1st, 2020.

Immediate Impact

Fierce leadership disagreements leading to bloody infighting amongst ISWAP jihadist-leads to confusion, distrust, temporary suspension of coordinated planning, and a limited engagement in violent activities. Depending on the severity of the rupture and the influence of the shura council on unit commanders involved, splinter units could emerge with enthusiasm and or desperation to launch soft and hard target attacks useful for structural setup. This could lead to kidnapping for ransom, setting up of illegal road blogs, cattle rustling and other locally viable organised crime activities in their areas of operation and control.

Advisory notes

The appointment and leadership of Amir Aliyu Chakkar by the Shura council and the ensuing bloody infighting will undoubtedly trigger a wave of planned and directed attacks against soft civilian and hard military targets. This is to consolidate his controversial appointment amongst the leadership at least. Deliberate attacks could target military positions, routes and vulnerable towns around the Timbuktu triangle and the Lake Chad basin states. New alliances are likely to be forged with external jihadists units in the Sahel via links with Niger Republic units. From a counter-insurgency perspective, there is no better time for the Nigerian security services and regional lake chad basin states to pounce on ISWAP leadership headquarters than now. The group was experiencing low morale, confusion and operational disarray and were busy burying their dead and licking big self-inflicted wounds.

If you see something- say something immediately. This is the people’s war – the security services can only win if the people are willing and protected to play an active role in timely information sharing.

#EndSARS: Falana’s group sets up independent panel, asks Nigerians to submit petitions

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#EndSARS: Falana’s group sets up independent panel, asks Nigerians to submit petitions

Nigerians have been asked to submit complaints of human right violations encountered, witnessed or heard during the #EndSARs protest, which rocked the country in October.

The Alliance for Survival of COVID-19 and Beyond in a statement at the weekend asked victims of human rights abuses to approach the independent panel set up by the coalition in the wake of the nationwide protests.

ASCAB, led by Nigeria’s foremost civil rights defender, Femi Falana (SAN), is the country’s leading coalition of some 80 civil society groups, including but not limited to the country’s leading labour movements.

The statement, titled: “Call for complaints of Human Rights Violations by Police, Military and Other Law Enforcement Agencies in Nigeria,” asked Nigerians to come forward to submit reports of human right violations linked to #EndSARs. The call was not restricted to victims who already submitted to panels set up by the government since outcomes and investigations might defer in form or content.

ASCAB said the Citizen Tribunal will enrich the investigations into the age-long abuses suffered by Nigerians in the hands of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. ASCAB’s panel is backed by eminent resource persons drawn from labour, civil society and a retinue of experts from the international community. “The Panel is to receive complaints from the general public of violations, before, during and after the #EndSARS protests across Nigeria. To this end, the panel hereby calls on the general public, especially families of those who lost their lives or who suffer one form of human rights violation or another” ASCAB stated in a statement signed by the panel’s Chairman, Chino Obiagwu (SAN).

The complaints are expected to contain the names of the victim(s), date, time and place of violations, type of violation suffered, name of the perpetrator (if known), name of agency of the perpetrator and any action already taken in the matter. Falana said the ASCAB Citizen Panel is open to all Nigerians, including the media. He said the panel will employ best global practices to unravel the misery encountered by many victims of the disbanded anti-crime outfit.

He said ASCAB would employ litigation where necessary to enforce justice, which may include compensation for victims. ASCAB also wants victims to submit contact details of the petitioner, including name, residential and office address, functional numbers, including WhatsApp number, if available, and email address.

The group said: “All interested victims regardless of whether they have approached the official commissions of inquiry set up by the State Governments or not can submit memos to the Citizens Tribunal.

“To this end, all victims that have submitted a petition to the official commissions of inquiry should indicate if they have, and specify which of the commissions they submitted their petitions to.

“This will enable us follow up and track petitions at the official commissions.” It said: complaints can be submitted in writing or by SMS, WhatsApp message, email or telephone call through the following means: [email protected], [email protected], 09153684686 (WhatsApp), 09025243545, 08098944313 and 09134868681.

Obiagwu said the panel will hold public sittings at various locations across Nigeria to hear oral testimonies of complainants and demand accountability from the concerned law enforcement agency. He added: “Where it is not possible to have physical meetings with any victim and his or her family, the panel will arrange virtual meeting.”

Electoral College certifies Joe Biden as president-elect with 306 votes

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Electoral College certifies Joe Biden as president-elect with 306 votes

The Electoral College decisively confirmed Joe Biden as the next US president on Monday, ratifying his November victory in an authoritative state-by-state repudiation of President Donald Trump’s refusal to concede he had lost.

The presidential electors gave Mr Biden a solid majority of 306 electoral votes to Mr Trump’s 232, the same margin that Mr Trump bragged was a landslide when he won the White House four years ago.

Heightened security was in place in some states as electors met to cast paper ballots, with masks, social distancing and other pandemic precautions the order of the day.

The results will be sent to Washington and tallied in a January 6 joint session of Congress over which vice president Mike Pence will preside.

For all of Mr Trump’s unsupported claims of fraud, there was little suspense and no change as every one of the electoral votes allocated to Mr Biden and the president in last month’s popular vote went officially to each man.

On Election Day, the Democrat topped the incumbent Republican by more than 7 million in the popular vote nationwide.

California’s 55 electoral votes put Mr Biden over the top. Vermont, with three votes, was the first state to report. Hawaii, with four votes, was the last.

“Once again in America, the rule of law, our Constitution, and the will of the people have prevailed. Our democracy — pushed, tested, threatened — proved to be resilient, true, and strong,” Mr Biden said in an evening speech in which he stressed the size of his win and the record 81 million people who voted for him.

He renewed his campaign promise to be a president for all Americans, whether they voted for him or not, and said the country has hard work ahead on the virus and economy.

But there was no concession from the White House, where Mr Trump has continued to make unsupported allegations of fraud.

Mr Trump remained in the Oval Office long after the sun set in Washington, calling allies and fellow Republicans while keeping track of the running Electoral College tally, according to White House and campaign aides.

The president frequently ducked into the private dining room off the Oval Office to watch on TV, complaining that the cable networks were treating it like a mini-Election Night while not giving his challenges any airtime.

The president had grown increasingly disappointed with the size of “Stop the Steal” rallies across the nation as well as efforts for the GOP to field its own slates of electors in states.

A presidential wish for a fierce administration defence led to TV appearances early on Monday by Stephen Miller, one of his most ferocious advocates, to try to downplay the importance of the Electoral College vote and suggest that Mr Trump’s legal challenges would continue all the way to Inauguration Day on January 20.

Late in the day, he took to Twitter to announce that attorney general William Barr was leaving the administration before Christmas.

Mr Barr’s departure comes amid lingering tension over Mr Trump’s unsupported fraud claims, especially after Mr Barr’s statement this month to The Associated Press that the election results were unaffected by any fraud.

APC has capacity to put Nigeria right –Tinubu

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APC has capacity to put Nigeria right –Tinubu

The National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu, said the party cannot afford to be disunited because it has a destiny to put Nigeria right.

Tinubu, who led some party men to Maiduguri to pay condolence on the government and people of Borno State on recent killing of rice farmers by Boko Haram at Zabarmari rice field, said “any remaining rats and cockroaches should be sprayed out of the party.”

He added that the party must live to its symbol, the broom which signifies the importance of unity and work to take out any form of disunity.

The APC leader said the covenant of APC with the Nigeria people is to work together in unity to bring about development and progress and that they must work for at all times.

He insisted that there is unity in the party, noting that anything that would however work contrary to the progress of the party and Nigeria should be weeded out.

On the purpose of their visit to Borno State, Tinubu said it should be seen not “as a condolence visit only, not only as a sympathy visit but as a solidarity and commitment that we must defeat all evil doers.

“To show solidarity to the governor of Borno State, who is a man of courage, brilliance, talent and great character.”

He said that conceited effort should be put in place to get urchins off the street by investing in their future.

He noted that street urchins are easy recruits to violence monger and those who do not mean well for the nation.

Tinubu also called for the involvement of technology to curb the spate of violence across the country.

Responding, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum commended the former Lagos Governor for the visit.

This Day

Nasarawa gov. off to U.S. for medical check

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Nasarawa gov. off to U.S. for medical check

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has travelled to the United States for medical check-up, leaving administration of the state in the hands of his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe.

He notified the House of Assembly that he would be away from December 13 to 29, 2020.

Speaker of the House, Ibrahim Abdullahi, made this known while reading the governor’s letter to members.

“In my absence, the deputy governor would oversee the affairs of the state pending my return,” the letter read in part.

Sule is handing over to his deputy for the first time since he took over the mantle last year.

17 missing Katsina students found

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17 missing Katsina students found

Seventeen out of the students missing from Government Secondary School Kankara, Katsina State have been reunited with their families, the State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari has said.

Governor Masari made this known on Monday in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW) Radio, saying that majority of the students were in the Forest in Zamfara.

He stated that efforts were in place to rescue the students safely and that he was told that the abductors spoke with a teacher whose son was also kidnapped.

According to the teacher, the bandits said they would collect ransom but are yet to specify before ending the call.

The Governor said, “As at today (Monday), information available to me shows that 17 of the missing children have been found. 15 of them were found around Dinya in Danmusa, I was informed by the DPO. One other was found through them and the last, the father called that his son has returned home.

“All these missing children who have been found have been reunited with their families since we have shut down the schools.

““I was told that they spoke with a teacher whose son was also kidnapped that the bandits said the helicopter should stop roving and that they will collect ransom but they didn’t specify. And so they ended the call.

“Majority of the missing children are in Forest in Zamfara. By God willing, the children will be returned safely.

“Efforts ongoing to secure their release within two to three days. We solicit for prayers and urge the parents to remain calm and patience as we are doing everything possible to rescue the children”.

Odumeje: Abia youths protest against suspension of gov’s chief of staff

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Odumeje: Abia youths protest against suspension of gov’s chief of staff

Some youths on Monday took to the streets of Umuahia, Abia State capital, urging Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to recall his suspended chief of staff Anthony Agbazuere.

Mr Ikpeazu had on December 6 ordered Agbazuere’s suspension following a viral video that captured him spraying naira notes on a controversial cleric Prophet Odumeje inside the Government House.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Donatus Obiukwu said although the chief of staff abused his office, Ikpeazu should have mercy on him.

“We know the chief of staff guffed by his actions. But we beg you, Governor Ikpeazu, our loving father, please forgive Agbazuere for his offence,” Mr Obiukwu said.

“We are begging you to recall him back because we can guaranty you that such a thing will never happen again, please, our governor, recall the suspension and give him back his job.”

Secretary to the State Government Chris Ezem assured the protesters he would pass their message to the governor.

QED

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