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COVID-19: Sacked Kano Commissioner Who Celebrated Abba Kyari’s Death Tests Positive

Covid-19

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May 7, 2020

COVID-19: Sacked Kano Commissioner Who Celebrated Abba Kyari’s Death Tests Positive

After mocking the death of late Chief of staff to the President, Abba Kyari, sacked Kano State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructures Development, Engineer Muaz Magaji, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Mr. Magaji announced the development through his verified Facebook timeline, adding that he has been moved to one of the isolation centres in the state.

“This morning, my NCDC test is out. I have been confirmed COVID-19 positive, and have been moved to one of the state facilities,” he said.

Magaji drew the ire of Nigerians for his Facebook post following Kyari’s demise, saying ““When you are all done with the pretence and crocodile tears, we will do a review in overriding interest of the Nation and its people!”.

This prompted his sack with a statement that was signed by the commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba to that effect said the commissioner was removed following his “unguarded utterances against the person of the late Chief of Staff to the President, Malam Abba Kyari.”

Garba said “as a public servant, the commissioner ought to have respect the profanity of the office by refraining from any act capable of rendering the office to disrepute.”

Ganduje’s Spokesman had stressed “the action of a public servant, personal or otherwise reflects back on the government and therefore, the Ganduje administration would not tolerate people in official capacities engaging in personal vendetta or otherwise.”

Speaking further on the sudden twist of fate, Mr. Magaji said “going through a historical moment of our time, a time we will either live to remember or we will be remembered having lived in. Which ever applies, Alhamdulilah.”

The development came on a day Kano recorded 30 new cases bringing the toll of COVID-19 patients in the state to 427.

The Kano ministry of health tweet on Thursday morning that #COVID19KN Update as at 12:02am 7th May 2020, 30 new cases of #COVID19Kano cases confirmed.

It revealed that the “total confirmed cases in @KanostateNg are now 427, as the ministry disclosed “3 additional #COVID19Kano patients were successfully discharged, while “5 #COVID19Kano deaths were recorded. “

Kogi, Cross River, free of COVID-19 as NCDC releases breakdown of cases

Covid-19

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May 7, 2020

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Kogi, Cross River, free of COVID-19 as NCDC releases breakdown of cases

By Bukola Olasanmi

The Nigeria Center for Disease Control, NCDC, on Thursday released a list of States with the confirmed COVID-19 cases.

According to the data, there are only 34 states with COVID-19 cases in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

It was gathered that Kogi and Cross River States have not recorded cases of coronavirus so far.

It could be recalled that the Kogi State Government said there were attempts to import coronavirus in the State or declare non-existing cases of the virus.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo said this a statement after a woman complained of having symptoms and insisted on being tested by NCDC officials.
Here is a breakdown of States with COVID- 19 cases:

Lagos- 1,308
Kano- 427
FCT -316
Borno -116
Gombe -103
Katsina -95
Ogun -95
Kaduna -85
Sokoto -85
Bauchi -83
Edo -65
Oyo -52
Zamfara -46
Jigawa -39
Osun -37
Kebbi -18
Delta -17
Akwa Ibom -16
Kwara -16
Taraba -15
Adamawa -15
Rivers -14
Yobe -13
Ondo -13
Ekiti -12
Nasarawa -11
Enugu -8
Bayelsa -5
Ebonyi -5
Plateau -4
Niger -4
Benue -2
Imo -2
Abia- 2
Anambra -1

Timbuktu- Triangle Victory: Coalition of Activists laud Nigerian troops over successful outings

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May 7, 2020

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Timbuktu- Triangle Victory: Coalition of Activists laud Nigerian troops over successful outings

The Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria (CNAGN) believes that troops of Operation Lafiya Dole deserve special laurels for their tremendous feat against Boko Haram terrorists in the northeast.

This special recognition trails the troops’ recent onslaught around the Timbuktu-Triangle in Borno State which was once reported to be under the control of the radical jihadists.

Led by Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukut Buratai, the Nigerian troops have gained massive grounds in its final clearance operation, with the latest consuming 134 insurgents.

And in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Dr Kenneth Anayo, on Tuesday, the group of activists hailed the “troops for their uncommon efforts, patriotism and gallantry in the past few weeks especially their most recent exploit in neutralizing over 134 terrorists”.

CNAGN expressed confidence in the COAS and his troops as they match closer towards victory over the terrorists who already appears to be depleted.

The activists, however, urged the Federal Government to carry out a similar operation on the civilian and non-combatant wings of Boko Haram, who arm them with information.

Read the full statement below:

The Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria has urged the Federal Government and Nigerians to specially commend the troops currently carrying out the final phases of the operation to wipe Boko Haram terrorists out from the northeast of Nigeria and all over the country. The Coalition’s reachtion followed reports that the Nigerian military neutralized as many as 134 Boko Haram terrorists in the Timbuktu-Triangle while arresting 16 informants that had helped the terror group’s operation in the past.

The punishment that the Nigerian Army has inflicted on Boko Haram terrorists is a befitting gift to Nigerians at a time that people are eager for good news in the midst of the COVID-19 scourge. The terrorists that once made themselves into a scourge and a torn in the country’s flesh are today getting the kind of treatment they deserve being the disease that they are. For this the Army, its leadership and troops that are taking part in the operation deserve laurels to spur them on.

We at the Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria laud the troops for their uncommon efforts, patriotism and gallantry in the past few weeks especially their most recent exploit in neutralizing over 134 terrorists as part of the final onslaught in the war against terrorism. The troops have left everyone talking about their gallantry and patriotism in the their continuous display against the terrorists.

This group, which has always had the highest level of confidence in the capacity of our military to defeat the terrorists without any doubt, is proud that a time has come for all Nigerians to stand behind the troops to defeat the terrorists and their agents of darkness.

The Coalition of Nigerian Activists for Greater Nigeria, however, wants to appeal to the Federal Government to reciprocate the good work the military is doing in flushing out the leftovers of Boko Haram elements by unleashing a similar operation on the civilian and non-combatant wings of Boko Haram. By this we mean that the government should act on intelligence at its disposal about the sympathizers, sponsors, enablers and collaborators of Boko Haram.

The fact that the military has arrested as many as 16 informants for the terrorists showed that they have seriously infected the national space. Consequently, we demand that the government take action in freezing bank accounts linked with terrorism financing, close down businesses connected to Boko Haram commanders and their associates, including those that have been used as fronts for laundering funds to the terrorists.

It is also time to take a firm stand against propaganda deployed in support of Boko Haram and those behind such poison. We equate this with the Nigerian Military being on the threshold of cutting off the head of the beast but the government and the rest of the country must take active steps to incinerate its carcass so that is has no prospect of spawning miniatures or clones in its dying moment. We urge that Boko Haram is atomically defeated on the battlefield in the northeast, defeated in the media and cyberspace, defeated in the socio-political and economic space in order for all Nigerians to enjoy peace.

Even as they commend the military for destroying Boko Haram, Nigerians must now take the next crucial step of collectively freeing their minds grip that terrorism once held over them. It is in the hearts and minds of Nigerians that the terrorists will be finally defeated. The days of Boko Haram are over.

MNJTF foils ISWAP attack on military base, kills 45

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May 7, 2020

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MNJTF foils ISWAP attack on military base, kills 45

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) said its troops alongside the Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE have killed 48 members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and destroyed their logistics camps around the Lake Chad region.

Chief of Military Public Information in charge of MNJTF, Colonel Timothy Antigha, who made this known, said the joint operations comprising air and artillery bombardments, took place on Tuesday following intelligence reports.

Antigha in a statement said the terrorists met their end while attempting to attack a military location in the area.

The statement reads; “In continuation of ongoing offensive operations to inflict more casualties on Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) and other coalition members including Air Task Force of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Nigerien Air Force neutralised about 48 ISWAP fighters and destroyed their camps in a joint air and artillery bombardments executed by the Air Task Force (ATF) of Operation LAFIYA DOLE in conjunction with Nigerien Air Force and Artillery Regiment of Sector 3 of the MNJTF at Dumba and Location Charlie on the fringes of the Lake Chad in the early hours of yesterday, 5 May 2020.

“The joint interdiction missions, which have set the ISWAP elements in disarray, were conducted on the heels of impeccable intelligence reports from multiple sources, including Allied partners, confirming that large numbers of terrorists had assembled in the vicinity of Dumba and had commenced an advance in their vehicles to attack nearby troops’ locations. Consequently, the Air Task Force attack aircraft supported by Nigerien Surveillance platform were scrambled to take out the mobile ISWAP elements at their harbour location, in 2 waves of bomb and rocket strikes leading to the neutralization of several of the terrorists.

“Similarly, some ISWAP elements that had attacked a Nigerien Army Base near Diffa in Niger Republic were tracked by Nigerien and then NAF Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft as well as night capable Allied surveillance assets, as they crossed the border in 8 gun trucks to their harbour position at a location code named; Location Charlie within the Islands of the Lake Chad. This location was subsequently interdicted through a joint fire by the artillery of MNJTF Sector 3 (Nigeria) and NAF attack aircraft which resulted in the killing of several terrorists as well as the destruction of their vehicles and equipment as depicted in Battle Damage Assessment clip.

The MNJTF will be unrelenting in the efforts to track and hunt down terrorists groups within the Lake Chad Basin. There will be no hiding place for them. With the support of our strategic partners, the MNJTF will continue to apply both kinetic and non-kinetic means against the terrorists until they are completely degraded.

“The MNJTF appreciates the invaluable contributions of our Allied partners and continues to urge the local population to be supportive of the Task Force, to enable the achievement of operational objectives”.

Policemen to undergo coronavirus test in Ondo

Covid-19

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May 7, 2020

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Policemen to undergo coronavirus test in Ondo

As part of measure to further curb the spread of the virus, Policemen in Ondo State are to undergo Coronavirus test.

Those scheduled are personnel attached to the Yaba Police Division under Ondo West Local Government Area of the state.

This follows reports that three policemen attached to the division tested positive for the deadly virus a few days ago.

The affected officers have already been taken to the Infectious Disease Hospital in Akure, the state capital, for treatment.

They contracted the virus from a colleague said to have refused going for the test despite showing symptoms.

Commissioner for Police in the state, Undie Adie, who made the disclosure in an interview, said the blood samples of the officers would be collected to check their status.

According to him, those already identified have been instructed to come with their relations for the COVID-19 test.

155 persons die of suspected COVID-19 in Yobe

Covid-19

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May 7, 2020

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155 persons die of suspected COVID-19 in Yobe

No fewer than 155 persons have reoortedly died after exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms in Yobe State.

According to Sahara Reporters, the mysterious deaths began on Thursday in Gashua and Potiskum areas of the state.

“In Gashua town, at least 57 have died. Those dying are mostly elders, yet the state Committee on COVID-19 is sleeping in Damaturu as if nothing is happening,” the online portal quoted a source.

It further revealed that instead of addressing the challenges his state was facing, Governor Mai Mala Buni has been away in Abuja where he spends more than 80 per cent of his time since being elected into office.

Recall that Buni recently gifted 14 Emirs luxury Sports Utility Vehicles worth over N600m despite the poverty rate in the state.

Northern States in Nigeria has recorded some bizarre deaths since the COVID-19 outbreak.

In Kano, for instance, more than 600 persons reportedly died in two weeks.

Nigeria has nearly 3,000 cases of the contagion with close to hundred deaths.

Jigawa confirms 47 mysterious deaths in 7 days

Covid-19

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May 7, 2020

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Jigawa confirms 47 mysterious deaths in 7 days

The Chairman Hadejia Local Government Council in Jigawa, Abdullahi Maikanti, has confirmed 47 deaths in seven days.

The council chairman said this was verified after a second audit on Tuesday.

However, Maikanti that the deceased were elderly people with pre-existing conditions and not related to COVID-19.

“After we conducted verbal autopsy and visited Gawuna and General Hospital burial grounds, we concluded that 47 people died from April 30 to May 6,” he said.

“The deceased were aged between 70 and 100 years, and had been battling with illnesses like hypertension, asthma, stroke, among others, for many years.

“In all our investigation, the deceased did not show symptoms of COVID-19.”

On prevention against the pandemic, the chairman said the council recently intercepted three buses that conveyed traders to a “wet market” in the area.

“Most of the traders came all the way from Bayelsa and Benue to buy frogs in the market,” he added.

“Our fear is that these people may carry the virus and infect our people in the market.

“But we later released the vehicles after their owners showed remorse and wrote an undertaking that they would steer clear of Hadejia and its markets for now.”

He said the council had intensified sensitisation of residents on social distancing, coughing and sneezing etiquette as well as the need for frequent hand washing.

US announces $225m in emergency food aid to Yemen

World

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May 7, 2020

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The United States on Wednesday announced it would provide $225m in emergency aid to Yemen to support food programmes, and called on the Houthis to do more to allow aid operations to operate “independently and neutrally”.

US Secretary of Mike Pompeo told a news conference that the funding Washington is committing would go to the UN World Food Programme’s (WFP) emergency food operation in southern Yemen, as well as its reduced operation in northern Yemen.

The WFP said it was going to halve the aid it gives to people in parts of Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement from mid-April after donors cut funding over concerns the Houthis are hindering aid deliveries.

Yemen is already grappling with the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis caused by a war between the Saudi-led coalition seeking to restore the internationally recognized government, and the Houthi movement that drove the government from power in Sanaa in late 2014.

In a conference call with reporters, officials with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the US State Department said while there has been some limited progress in aid operations recently, Houthis still needed to do more for funding to return.

The steps included “concrete actions to remove impediments including approvals, or travel permits to deliver aid, on partner agreements halting interference in the selection of beneficiaries and allowing agencies to operate independently and neutrally on the basis of need,” said Richard Albright, a deputy assistant secretary at the US State Department.

“Certain barriers have been beginning to move, but it’s been much more in the theoretical and talking stage, and we haven’t seen a lot of action,” said Matt Nims, deputy director of USAID’s Office of Food for Peace.

A health worker wearing a protecitve suit disinfects a market amid concerns of the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Sanaa

Around 80 percent of Yemen’s population, or 24 million people, rely on aid, and 10 million are facing famine. Yemen has the world’s fourth-highest internally displaced population and healthcare is scarce in rural areas.

The country has reported a total of 26 coronavirus infections with six deaths, but due to inadequate testing and a shattered health system aid groups fear a devastating outbreak. According to WHO, only 200 tests with results have been delivered nationwide.

Under such conditions, gaps in aid funding are a major risk. The United Nations last week warned that 31 of 41 major UN humanitarian assistance programmes would scale down or stop in coming weeks without more money as donors and aid agencies have increasingly complained of interference and obstruction from Houthi authorities.

Venezuela broadcasts video of captured US mercenary

World

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May 7, 2020

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Venezuela broadcasts video of captured US mercenary

Venezuelan state television broadcast on Wednesday a video of captured American Luke Denman, in which he said he was instructed to seize control of Caracas’s airport and bring in a plane to fly President Nicolas Maduro to the United States.

Venezuelan authorities on Monday arrested Denman, another US citizen, Airan Berry, and 11 other “terrorists” in what Maduro has called a failed plot coordinated with officials in Washington to enter the country via the Caribbean coast and oust him.

“Donald Trump is the direct chief of this invasion,” Maduro said in televised comments, after the video of Denman was broadcast.

Jordan Goudreau, head of Florida-based security company SilverCorp USA and a US military veteran, has claimed responsibility for the incursion. Goudreau said he was working with two US citizens in an operation designed to capture, not kill, Maduro and “liberate” Venezuela.

The Associated Press news agency reported on Wednesday that Goudreau is currently under federal investigation for arms trafficking. The investigation is in its initial stages and it’s unclear if it will result in charges, a law enforcement official told the AP, and stems from a frenzy of contradictory comments Goudreau has made since Sunday’s raid.

In Venezuelan custody, ex-Green Beret and Silvercorp mercenary Luke Denman confirms contract with Juan Guaido, says plan was to kidnap Venezuelan Pres. Maduro and fly him to the US as a captive #BayOfPiglets pic.twitter.com/hg46mbBfRz

— Max Blumenthal (@MaxBlumenthal) May 6, 2020

Members of the US Congress are also asking the State Department about its knowledge of Goudreau’s plans and raised concerns that he possibly violated arms trafficking rules.

An AP investigation published prior to the failed raid places Goudreau at the center of a plot hatched with a rebellious former Venezuelan Army General, Cliver Alcalá, to secretly train dozens of Venezuelan military deserters in secret camps in Colombia to carry out a swift operation against Maduro.

Goudreau’s possible involvement in weapons smuggling stems from the March 23 seizure by police in Colombia of a stockpile of weapons being transported in a truck. The stockpile, worth around $150,000, included spotting scopes, night vision goggles, two-way radios and 26 American-made assault rifles with the serial numbers filed off.

Maduro said on Wednesday that he would seek Goudreau’s extradition from the US.

US President Donald Trump has denied involvement in Sunday’s ill-fated mission. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday that the US government would use “every tool” to secure the Americans’ return if they were being held in Venezuela.

Denman, 34, in the video statement from an undisclosed location, answered questions from a person off-camera speaking in English. Denman said his mission was to secure the airport and establish a security perimeter, though it was unclear how he planned to get Maduro on a plane.

In March, the US Department of Justice charged Maduro and a dozen other current and former Venezuelan officials with “narco-terrorism” and the Trump administration offered a reward of $15m for information leading to his arrest.

COVID-19: 256 Nigerians from Dubai Arrive in Lagos

Covid-19

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May 7, 2020

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COVID-19: 256 Nigerians from Dubai Arrive in Lagos

The federal government has successfully evacuated the first batch of Nigerians stuck abroad amid the coronavirus pandemic.

On Wednesday, 256 Nigerians arrived in Lagos from Dubai on an Emirates Airline flight.

The Emirates flight is expected to be the first of at least two other flights scheduled to evacuate Nigerians within the next few days.

Over 4,000 Nigerians are waiting to be evacuated across the world back home, foreign affairs minister, Geoffrey Onyeama said on Monday.

Coming into isolation

The returning Nigerians are expected to be quarantined for 14 days in select hotels on their arrival, the foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

The quarantine is required to ensure the coronavirus-status of every returnee is ascertained.

The foreign ministry said it has made arrangements for hotel accommodations in Lagos and Abuja, which will be used to quarantine the incoming citizens.

The hotels have been inspected by the “Port Health Services, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, Office of the National Security Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and IPC,” the ministry said.

A global pandemic halts all

The evacuations have become important as the coronavirus pandemic continues to sweep through the world.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 254,532 people since the outbreak first emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Tuesday.

The virus has particularly ravaged the airline industry, with countries closing borders, forcing travellers to cancel travel plans.

Other countries have been in the news for evacuating their nationals from foreign soil back home.

The United States has evacuated at least 1,000 Americans from Nigeria since the WHO declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic.

Nigeria’s efforts to evacuate citizens from abroad has been hampered by several obstacles, including the ability to secure quarantine facilities for the returnees on their arrival, according to Minister Onyeama.