Controversial Internet sensation pastor, Chukwuemeka Odumeje AKA the liquid metal, Indabosky and wife have been blessed with a new addition to their family as his wife gives birth to a bouncing baby boy.
The overjoyed prophet has nicknamed him 5G baby!
Indaboski admiring his 5G. Another small metal has indeed arrived.
Members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB have clashed with Security forces in Enugu on Sunday, August 23,
At least two members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) organization have reportedly been killed and scores others wounded.
Policemen were said to have invaded a building when IPOB members were holding a meeting at Emene in Enugu.
They reportedly resisted the attempt to disperse them, prompting the police to apply force.
This resulted in a violent clash between the IPOB members and the police officers who started firing gunshots.
The clashes were reportedly centered in the Emene area of Enugu, disrupting Church services and other business activities.
The Youth Christian and Muslim Forum of Nigeria (YCMFN) says allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria by All-Party Parliamentary Group in the United Kingdom (APPG) is false and misleading.
Instead of paint religious element behind violence in the country, the inter-faith forum rather advised the UK parliamentarians to concern itself with the sanctity of all human lives irrespective of religion or ethnic biases and see to doing enough in collaboration with the Nigerian government to halt any further killings anywhere in the country.
YCMFN made this strong stand known in a virtual press statement on Saturday signed by its National President, Pastor Phillip Attah.
A recent report by APPG on ‘Freedom of Religion and Belief, Nigeria: Unfolding Genocide?’, had alleged religious colouration in Boko Haram, banditry and other violent attacks across the country.
However, YCMFN said such claims are biased and one-sided malicious narrations from those who do not wish the nation well.
While admitting the security challenges in the country, the inter-faith group rejected the attempts to attach religious dimension, acknowledging the progress made under President Muhammadu Buhari.
“We consider it most distasteful for anyone to attempt to coin a narrative that ‘Christians are actually the target of this murderous group’. Worst of all is the attempt to rope the government of President Buhari into this, or perhaps the attempt to drag the armed forces of Nigeria and sister security agencies into the evil religious narration,” Pastor Attah disclosed.
The statement partly reads; ” Nigeria no doubt is battling some security challenges that have been ongoing for a while now. What we, however, want to set straight is the fact that the killings going on are largely religion blind. Are there killings that involve Christians? The answer is yes, Christians are certainly murdered in Nigeria, but the fact remains out there that this evil terrorist has killed more Muslims and are in fact killing more Muslims.
“These terrorist are despicable savages that know no one. So long as you don’t support their extreme version of Islam, of which many Muslims in Nigeria don’t support you are regarded as an enemy and become a target of their killings.
” We know some mischievous elements will want to play the religious card with the ongoing security challenge, we worry less about them, since many of the perpetrators of this narrow and unfortunate narrative do so for their own pecuniary gain.
“We are however concerned about our friends outside the country who may not be well informed about the intrigues and the realities of these security challenges and may want to fall for the one-sided narration of some mischief-makers.
“President Buhari’s campaign was anchored on the return of peace to the troubled northeast region and indeed everywhere else in Nigeria. This promised he has been able to fulfil to an extent with the help of the great men and women of the armed forces.
” Before the coming on board of this government almost 14 local government areas were under the total control of the terrorist group less than 18 months in an office all territories hitherto held by the terrorist have been recovered and normalcy returned to most of these areas.
” There cannot be any doubt about the government’s sincerity in the battle against insurgents and all other forms of criminality going on in the country. The president has made more funding available for the welfare and procurement of required tools to eliminate the terrorist.
” Whilst we admit the security challenges are not gone. We totally reject the attempt by enemies of the state to bring a religious dimension to the current security challenge because it is totally false and only an attempt to whip up religious sentiments to further divide us and distract us from our focus on taking out the terrorist who are the real enemies of the people.
” In the north-west region of the country where the killings are now most rampant due to activities of bandits and kidnappers, 90% of the victims are Muslims, should we then say they are being killed because they are Muslims? Take Zamfara State for example with one of the highest numbers of deaths in the North West yet over 98% of those killed there are Muslims. So would anyone now say Muslims are being targeted in the north for a genocide?
” Yes, the people killed in Zamfara are Muslims but they were definitely not killed because of their faith. The same way many Christians must have been killed in the many years of these terrorist activities but not all were killed because of their faith.
” Take the middle belt, for example, there have been decades of clashes between herders and farmers over the years, unfortunately except we collectively sit and find long-lasting solutions, peace may remain elusive in that region. There are several reasons for the conflict in that region”.
The Youth Christian and Muslim Forum of Nigeria, however, called on ” all Muslims and Christians across the country to unite and promote peace and unity amongst ourselves”.
The Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) says it has uncovered an evil plot by the opposition and other desperate elements to destabilise the administration of President Buhari with the aid of the National Assembly.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, CNM’s convener, Sabo Odeh, said these “agents of darkness” have finalised three mutineering strategies to dislodge President Buhari.
According to Odeh, the first is to “raise motions on the floor of the hallowed chambers that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has failed Nigerians in the area of security”.
CNM’s convener added that the legislators would then “make bogus claims that appointees of the president are corrupt to taint his anti-corruption crusade in fulfilment of the desires of their sponsors who among other are out to discredit the president”.
Odeh further disclosed that the final phase is a public instigation of youths across the country against the government citing untold hardship and insensitivity towards their plight as the reason.
The Coalition for Nigeria Movement, however, charged fellow patroits and all relevant security agencies to rise in defence of the country at this critical period.
It warned the NASS and its allies to retrace their steps and respect the people’s mandate given to President Buhari in 2019.
The coalition also advised Nigerians to learn from the Mali experience as those calling for mutiny in the military do not and will never mean well for democracy.
“The recent events in the country indeed call for concern from all stakeholders with regards to the activities of some individuals and groups that have been involved in acts that are capable of undermining the territorial integrity of Nigeria,” Sabo said.
“The Coalition for Nigeria Movement is in receipt of this nefarious plot by the agents of destabilization that are hell-bent on seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria at all cost and not minding whose ox is gored.
“This indeed calls for concern from all stakeholders in Nigeria towards addressing this significant threat against our nascent democracy. It, therefore, behoves on all Nigerians to rise in defence of the country by ensuring that the plot to disintegrate Nigeria fails.
“The Coalition for Nigeria Movement wishes to call on the Nigerian Police Force to begin a 24 hours surveillance across the country to monitor strange and natural movements of members of the National Assembly who have proven with their actions in recent times that they do not have the interest of the country at heart.
“The Coalition for Nigeria Movement as a critical stakeholder in democratic governance in the country is advising those individuals and organizations that have plotted evil against Nigeria to retrace their steps.
“It is, therefore, inexcusable to hide under whatever nomenclature to destabilize the country. The members of the National Assembly must be reminded that they are representatives of the people and not representatives of a select few.
“The Coalition for Nigeria Movement wishes to state in unequivocal terms that indeed Nigerians would be watching closely as events unfold upon resumption from recess by the National Assembly, and Nigerians would also resist any attempt to truncate our nascent democracy.”
No fewer than 5,000 Nigerians from five states in the northeast, on Thursday, held a ‘Thank You Rally’ to the Aso Villa in appreciation of President Muhammadu Buhari over return of peace to their states.
They comprised of natives of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, who were once under the shackles of Boko Haram terrorists.
In his address, Coordinator, Adamu Kabir said by restoring normalcy to these five states, the president has kept his promise to the people of the region who showed so much confidence in him.
Adamu, on behalf of the Concerned Citizens of Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States admitted that the era of multiple bombings, terror and bloodshed is now in the past.
“We here today represent the elders, non-partisan and socio-cultural organizations, women and children from the states which have been fully liberated from the claws of terrorism,” he said.
“This delegation of 5,000 men and women and great citizen of this country is our humble show of appreciation to your efforts, MR. President Sir. This has been made possible by your unwavering commitment and resolve to bequeath us a country that we all craves for.
“Mr president we are indeed very grateful for keeping to your promise of restoring peace and security to the North-East region. You assured that you will deal with the Boko Haram menace and true to your words you have done just that. You are indeed ‘Mai Gaskiya’.
“Our solidarity here today is informed by the need to thank you and to equally ask for more as peace has continued to return to our various states. We appreciate that you are making a lot of effort to equip the military and other security agencies. We appreciate your effort in setting up the North East Development Commission (NEDC), a great intervention that has helped greatly in restoring peace through development. Our people no doubt have not had it this good in a very very long while.”
The group also praised the governors of these five states for supporting the president and the Nigerian Army, ensuring lasting peace returns to their domains.
Adamu’s words, “In all of these we are not unmindful of the impact of the cooperation of our various state Governors with your government in other to achieve this peace. We commend our various governors for their cooperation and smooth working with the Federal Government plue cooperation with the army and other security agencies.
“This cooperation is a major pillar in the task to restore normalcy to the north east. This symbiotic relationship across the northeast is a major reason for the elimination of Boko Haram in our states. It has always been clear to us, that to win the war against the terrorist our unity as a people and cooperation with the FG and our great military is very important.”
The citizens, however, appealed to President Buhari to continue his rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts in these states, providing the necessary funding for the troops and NEDC.
“We appreciate you today Mr. President and want to ask that you do not relent in your effort at providing more funding to the NEDC and security agencies working to tackle security in the North East. We ask that you continue to use your great office to rally the leaders and people of the North-East together to be united in their fight against terrorism.
“Mr President, once again we say we are very grateful for all your efforts that are now yielding good results in our various states. This is priceless to a lot of us here, considering where we were only a few years ago.”
The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre (SHAC) has attributed the lingering activities of Boko Haram terrorists in Borno State to conspiracies and sabotage by the state’s political actors.
SHAC also decried the
lack of cooperation by the state government as well as politically motivated hostilities against the Nigerian military.
The centre made these revelations in a report signed by its Special Rapporteur, Dr. Okey Okechukwu and unveiled on Wednesday for distribution to the Office of the President, his Chief of Staff, state governors and the general public.
” There has been a politically motivated hostility towards the Nigerian troops in parts of Borno State, especially in areas where the government wields enormous political interest. This fact as unhealthy as it sounds has also pitched personnel of the military against some ethnic groups that are probably ignorant of the efforts of the Nigerian Military towards the restoration of peace and order in their communities,” the report revealed.
” It was also observed that the Nigerian Military is experiencing some level of sabotage in their operations with those that are supposed to keep the Nigerian troops informed of the presence of strange faces in their domains, instead prefer to relate such information to the local administrators. They, in turn, convey such to the state capital in Maiduguri and the time lag gives the invaders the latitude to wreak havoc on innocent people.
“The Save Humanity Advocacy Centre, as a result of its study of the events in North-East Nigeria, concludes that political conspiracies and sabotage are responsible for the existence of Boko Haram in Borno State”.
The centre said in the course of the research, it discovered that five out of six states have been freed from Boko Haram, with normalcy restored.
This, according to the report, buttresses the position canvassed in some quarters that the activities of the Boko Haram group have been successfully curtailed barring pockets of attacks in Borno.
As part of its recommendations, the centre, however, advised the government and people of Borno to take a cue from other states by extending support to the security agencies.
It also tasked the government to engage various community and religious leaders to sensitize the youths in the state on the demerits of associating with the Boko Haram group.
The Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reforms and Decongestion (PCCSRD) has explained why the Federal Capital Territory Courts Sentencing Guidelines need review.
The Secretary of the committee, Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, at a technical session in Abuja, yesterday with relevant stakeholders in the justice sector to validate the draft FCT sentencing guidelines and practice direction 2020, said the 2016 practice direction did not make adequate provision for non-custodial measures.
According to her, the 2016 guidelines need a review to ensure fairness, consistency and uniformity in imposition of both custodial and non-cuatodial sentencing.
The Secretary said, ”The existing Federal Capital Territory Courts (Sentencing Guidelines) Practice Direction, 2016 did not make adequate provision for non – custodial measures and requires immediate review to address existing gaps, relating to non-custodial sentencing and to ensure fairness, consistency and uniformity in imposition of both custodial and non-custodial sentences”.
She also said the technical session will collate and validate all contributions made to the draft and produce a comprehensive draft that will be signed off by the Chief Judge FCT.
Justice Bello sets up the technical committee headed by Justice C. Orji, also of the FCT High Court.
The committee secretary expressed gratitude for the commitment and dedication of members of the Judiciary, and the United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),
for their consistent support towards the success of the Justice Sector Reform programmes of the Federal Ministry of Justice
”May I also express my deep appreciation to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice for their ardent support and our development partner the United Nations Human Rights office of the High Commissioner ‘for their support as well”, she said.
The Technical Committee set up by the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, who is also the Chairman of the committee is made up of Judges, Magistrates , Mr. P. C Okorie, the Consultant and representatives from the ministry of justice and two members of the Presidential Committee.
Two days ago, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, had said the proposed consolidated sentencing guidelines will
ensure that congestion in prisons in Nigeria is reduced to the barest minimum through the use of non-custodial sentences.
The AGF said this is in line with section 470(2)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA’, 2015 and section 2(1)(b) of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.
Malami, who spoke at the Virtual
Interactive session of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Service Reform and Decongestion with stakeholders to review the federal Capital Territory Courts Sentencing Guidelines and Practice Direction 2020 said the guideline is geared towards implementing one of the major recommendations of the National Workshop on the Effective Implementation of the Nigerian Correctional Service Act, 2019.
According to him, some of the objectives of the proposed guidelines is to set out the appropriate standards and guideline for the sentencing process in offences against the state, person, public order, morality, homicide, property and corruption related offences, for the purpose of ensuring reasonable uniformity and fairness in sentencing in the Federal Capital Territory;
He also said the the new guideline is to set out the requirements and procedure for imposing custodial and non-custodial sentences for the purpose of preventing abuse and ensuring reasonable uniformity and fairness in the imposition of sentences.
By Aminu Abubakar
Of the 21 Local Government Areas in Adamawa State, only few were spared of the agony of Boko Haram terrorists attacks, murder and arson, when the activities of the blood thirsty group spiked between years 2012 to 2015.
The strategic location of Adamawa State, which borders Cameroon, Borno, Gombe and Taraba States places it in the middle of the Boko Haram terrorism.
The level of insecurity was pervasive in no less than 12 local governments of the state which represents more than 50 percent of the local councils, but in terms of population, it affected over 70 percent as the terrorists activities hit mainly the most populated LGs like Yola Yola North, Yola South, Mubi North and Mubi South. The people of Ganye ,Gombi, Lamurde, Madagali, Maiha, Michika and Numan were also not spared and could not sleep with their two eyes closed as Boko Haram terrorists could storm any community within the precinct of their local councils and murder people at will.
According to a research, between January 2012 and June 2013, Yola North/South Local Government Areas suffered the most in terms of security challenges, followed by Mubi North/South.
Yola is the state capital and has higher population hence any attack on its territory is bound to be felt in the entire state and beyond.
In January 2012, assailants reportedly attacked a church and killed 12 people while insurgents were reported to have killed four people in coordinated attacks on bars and public drinking spots. There were so many of such incidences in Yoka then.
But attacks in Mubi too have been no less devastating as the town with its huge market, had become a trading hub in the Northeast region while it also borders Cameroon.
The strategic importance of Mubi is such that anytime the terrorists strike, the effect is felt in the whole region and across the Nigerian border as markets close and people flee to neighbouring countries raising serious humanitarian concerns.
On the night of 1st October 2012, for instance, a group of armed men attacked a student residence of Federal Polytechnic, Mubi, and killed at least 25 persons, mainly tertiary institution students, using guns and machetes.
The insurgents were to return and attack Mubi again in 2014, 2017 and 2018. Maiha also had its share of insecurity as Boko Haram atacked many communities in the LG killing many.
In May of 2013 an attack on a church and village market left at least ten dead in the village of Jilang in Maiha.
Madagali, which is 280 kilometres from the Adamawa State capital, Yola, was also not spared.
It has come under several attacks by the insurgents that many had fled from the communities. In September 2014, Boko Haram extended their reign of terror to Michika and even captured it after many similar attacks. Thousands of residents of Garkida in Gombi Local Government were made to flee their homes in 2014, following attacks by Boko Haram sect on Sallah day.
Four soldiers and three other civilians were killed in that attack as property including houses and cars worth billions of naira were destroyed by the insurgents.
The situation was so bad that on May 16, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan had to declare a state of emergency in three Nigerian states, including Adamawa.
But by then, lots of live have been lost, property worth millions of naira destroyed, many displaced, hundreds abducted and many hd gone missing.
Certain families are yet to reunite several years after fleeing from Boko Haram attacks. These have been the unfortunate lot of the people of Adamawa State in several local government until the coming of the current administration.
The President Muhammadu Buhari led administration, declared war on the insurgents and the military moved in swiftly with renewed vigour than before and recaptured all the local councils in the state hitherto taken by the insurgents and freed all the captives.
In the last two years, except for the attempt to attack villages in Michika and Garkida in Gombi local government, most of the LGs in Adamawa State have remained peaceful. Mubi has since got its groove back as the marketing hub of the region while Maiha, Yola, Ganye etc have almost put the thoughts of past attacks behind them.
That the Buhari administration has been able to do this to a population of over 4 million is a no mean feat and the economic benefit derived from this are enormous.
Little wonder when President Muhammadu Buhari visited Yola in 2018, to declare open the anti-corruption summit in the state and to commission some projects, crowd of supporters were also on ground at the Yola International Airport to welcome the President.
They did so because the President had been able to give them their lives back by puaing the terrorists out of the state. For us, President Muhammadu BUhari’s efforts means a lot to us in Adamawa State and its just about everything. Staying safe and alive is the most important business in human existence.
Abubakar, an educationist wrote this piece from Mubi.
The West Africa bloc ECOWAS on Tuesday condemned a military putsch in Mali and pledged a range of retaliatory actions, including financial sanctions.
Rebel soldiers arrested Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Boubou Cisse on Tuesday afternoon following weeks of political tension in the country.
The dramatic move followed the seizure of an army base near the capital Bamako that morning.
In a statement, the Economic Community for West African States said that its members would close land and air borders to Mali and pledged to demand sanctions against “all the putschists and their partners and collaborators”.
The 15-nation bloc — which includes Mali — also said that it would suspend the country from its internal decision-making bodies.
“ECOWAS has noted with great concern the seizure of power by Malian military putschists,” said the statement, which was originally published in French.
Mali has been in the grip of a deep political impasse since June, with President Keita facing increasingly strident demands for his resignation.
The opposition June 5 Movement, named for the date of its first protest, has been channelling deep anger over a dire economy, perceived government corruption and a brutal jihadist conflict.
The opposition alliance’s anti-Keita campaign veered into crisis last month when at least 11 people were killed over three days of unrest that followed a protest.
In an effort to avoid chaos in notoriously unstable Mali, ECOWAS then stepped in to mediate.
The bloc suggested the formation of a unity government and other measures late last month, but stuck by Keita.
But the June 5 Movement has repeatedly spurned compromise proposals, and has continued to demand Keita’s departure.
The political opposition declared a new phase of anti-government rallies on Monday.
Keita, 75, is currently being held by rebel soldiers outside of the capital.
….calls for rapid infrastructural development to boost citizens’ living condition
The Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for liberating five states in the northeast from Boko Haram terrorists.
CALSER, however, charged the Federal Government to begin rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts in these states to avoid a resurgence.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, CALSER’s president, Princess Ajibola said the military has indeed lived up to expectations by stamping out terrorists from Yobe, Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba states.
“We wish to use this medium to commend President Muhammadu Buhari for matching his words with action by providing that political will needed to liberate North-East Nigeria from the shackles of terrorism,” Ajibola said.
“The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights also commends other critical stakeholders that contributed immensely towards the liberation of the five North Eastern States from the threats posed by the Boko Haram insurgent group”.
The Centre further called on the FG to ensure rapid infrastructural development to boost citizens’ living condition.
It added that the urgency requires all hands to be on deck as the military edges closer to wiping out remnants of insurgents from hideouts on the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin Region
“The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Liberation wishes to put on record that indeed the efforts of the Nigerian government at rebuilding and relocating those displaced as a result of the crisis must begin as a matter of urgency in our journey towards the restoration of normalcy in the communities liberated by the Nigerian Army,” Ajibola said.
“If this is not done, we stand the risk of the Boko Haram group taking advantage to infiltrate these communities from where they would continue their nefarious activities against the Nigerian state.
“The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights also task all International Non-Governmental Organizations operating in North-East Nigeria to render humanitarian assistance to returnees to their communities.
“The task is also before other international partners, as well as the critical group of Nigerians in the Diaspora to use their network to attract the much-needed assistance to the people in the bid to return to their normal lives and restore their human dignity by engaging in agricultural and other useful ventures.
“The Centre for Africa Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights acknowledges and appreciates the efforts of these humanitarian organizations over the years in through their activities that has indeed put smiles on the faces of displaced people and victims of the Boko Haram terrorism.
“The North East Development Commission must also rise to the occasion to fulfil its mandate of assessing, coordinating, harmonizing and reporting on all intervention programs, and initiatives of the Federal Government or any of its Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), States; and other Development Partners and for the implementation of all programs and initiatives for the North East states; Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, Yobe, respectively.”