Television Nigerian

The Police in the United Kingdom have arrested a Nigerian rapper, identified as Mike, for firing shots from a balcony in Chatam.

A spokesman for Kent Police said the incident occurred on Wednesday at a flat on Dock Head Road, Chatham, Kent. He added that the suspect flaunted several of his “weapons” to the camera in a string of bizarre Instagram videos.

The police said the suspect sent panicked shoppers in Kent running for their lives as he fired around 50 shots before armed police rushed to the scene and arrested him.

According to the police, he filmed himself shouting out Tupac lyrics while he pulled the trigger, saying: “I see them, they run, dem dey craze?”

“They don’t wanna be us, dem dey craze, call the f***ing cops.”

The police said: “Kent Police was called at 8.35am on Wednesday 22 April 2020 to a disturbance at a flat on Dock Head Road, Chatham.

“Members of the public reported seeing a man on a balcony with weapons and patrols, including armed officers, attended the scene.

“The police helicopter was also deployed and a man in 30s has now been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences.

“Patrols remain at the scene where officers have located four suspected imitation firearms as part of their enquiries.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has reacted to the ban placed on two newspapers by the Ebonyi state government.

In a statement signed by the group’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare and sent to POLITICS NIGERIA, the group demanded the immediate reinstatement of the newspaper houses.

The group also condemned “the blatant intimidation, harassment and attacks on journalists and media houses by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State, and the illegal banning of the Correspondent of The Sun newspaper, Chijioke Agwu, and the Vanguard Newspaper, Peter Okutu, from entering Government house and Government facilities in the State for life.”

The journalists and media houses were reportedly banned over a report on the Lassa Fever outbreak in the state.

“This action is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and the country’s international obligations including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which Nigeria is a state party. We will pursue appropriate legal action nationally and internationally against Ebonyi State authorities if this illegality is not reversed within 48 hours of the publication of this statement.”

“We urge Governor David Umahi to show a greater level of transparency and accountability by immediately reversing the purported ban, and allowing journalists and media houses to freely cover the activities of his government.”

“Nigerians expect their leaders to show a greater level of transparency and accountability and to explain and take responsibility for what they are doing rather than threatening, intimidating, harassing and banning journalists and media houses from covering their public functions. These journalists and media houses are simply doing their work and playing their constitutional roles.”

“The ban clearly runs counter to the notion of a free marketplace of ideas, necessary to serve the best interests of the public. Barring journalists undermines Nigeria’s pledges on democratic reforms and the rule of law and must stop now.” the statement read.

The COVID-19 Committee in Taraba State announced the arrest of 134 travellers at various entry points into the state on Wednesday.

The travellers will be quarantined for 14 days, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.

According to Innocent Vakkai, the Chairman of the committee, who made this known while inspecting a quarantine facility at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Jalingo, the state capital, the travellers were intercepted by security operatives.

Vakkai, who is also the state Commissioner for Health, said the committee deemed it necessary to visit and inspect the facility.

He said that some of them were travelling from Bauchi en route Gombe, noting that  Bauchi was affected by the novel coronavirus.

He noted that some of the travellers were coming from Yobe. The official said that all the travellers would undergo  COVID-19 test to ascertain their status.

The commissioner said that the state would do its possible best to prevent people with the virus from entering the state.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Taraba Governor, Hassan Mijinyiwa, in a statement obtained by this paper, said the borders of the state remain closed.

“Taraba State Government wishes to state for the avoidance of doubt that security agencies in the state are under strict instructions to also shut border towns in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the state.

“From 11pm today, Wednesday, April 22, 2020) Balaifi town bordering Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa state, Amache/Bachama town bordering Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State and Jeb-Jeb town bordering Wase Local Government Area of Plateau State will be shut with security agents deployed there to ensure strict enforcement,” the statement read in parts.

The Borno State government on Wednesday recorded a second death from the Coronavirus pandemic.

So far, Nigeria has a total of 782 cases of the respiratory disease with 25 deaths, POLITICS NIGERIA reports.

Meanwhile, the situation is not a hopeless one after all as 197 have recovered and had been discharged.

The Deputy Governor and the Chairman of the State Committee on COVID-19, Umar Kadafur, disclosed this while giving an update on the pandemic in the state.

According to him, the deceased is from Biu town of and already his contacts have been traced.

“One of his contacts is a trader in Biu market. Following this development, the state government has ordered the closure of market for immediate fumigation.

“As of today, 144 contacts had been traced, 55 were tested and nine people tested positive including the two who died,” he said.

He urged the public to maintain hygiene and other precautionary measures advised by experts.

This paper reports that the first case was a retired anesthetic nurse, who died at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital on Saturday. Sequel to the confirmation of the COVID-19 index case in Borno, Gov. Babagana Zulum ordered a two-week total lockdown as from Wednesday.

Zulum, who made the declaration in a broadcast in Maiduguri on Monday, however, said the restriction would not apply to the providers of essential services.

Recall that POLITICS NIGERIA reported how the state assembly postponed plenary indefinitely owing to the surge of the pandemic.

The Imo State Police Command has reacted to an incident where a police officer, Chibuike Ukazu, and his alleged gay partner, Yellow, were rescued from being lynched over alleged homosexuality.

The state police spokesperson, Orlando Ikeokwu, in a statement sent to POLITICS NIGERIA on Wednesday, said the two men were rescued after the youths of the community claimed to have caught the constable with his partner in the act of homosexuality.

Ikeokwu said an investigation into the matter has commenced with a view to unravel what actually happened.

He said: ”On April 21, upon information received through a phone call, the Divisional Police officer in charge of Nkwere Division promptly moved into the community and rescued one F/NO.512351 Chibuike Ukazu.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the youths of the community claimed to have caught the constable with one of his friends, name yet unknown but nicknamed ‘YELLOW’, in acts of homosexuality.

“As a result, the youths pounced on them and beat them to stupor, then took them to the palace of the traditional ruler before their rescue by the DPO and his team.

“The command, therefore, wishes to warn members of the public to desist from taking laws into their hand by resorting to self-help especially on infractions by the members of the Police or other security agencies, all are advised to report all grievances to the nearest Police station for prompt and decisive action.

“However, an investigation into the matter has commenced with a view to unravel what actually transpired and if found culpable will face the wrath of the law.”

Former Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala has been named by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as its Special Envoy for the newly inaugurated Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator.

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that she is to serve alongside British business executive, Sir Andrew Witty in the same capacity, to mobilize international commitment to the initiative.

Director-General of the organization, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, made the announcement during the launch of the ACT Accelerator — via webinar from Geneva.

“I would especially like to thank Sir Andrew Witty and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for agreeing to act as Special Envoys for the ACT Accelerator,” Ghebreyesus said in his remarks.

The initiative is an international collaboration aimed at accelerating the development, production, and equitable distribution of COVID-18 drugs, test kits, and vaccines around the world.

This newspaper understands that this is the fourth international assignment given to Okonjo-Iweala in less than two months.

The Nigerian police force has effected the arrest of an Archbishop and General Overseer of Ressurection praise ministries for Africa alias ‘Jehovah Sharp Sharp’, Samson Benjamin for violating the Coronavirus lockdown.

Benjamin will be arraigned on Wednesday before a magistrate court in Lagos. The cleric was arrested after leading about 100 people to protest at the Chinese Embassy in Victoria Island over the maltreatment of Nigerians in China.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that the bishop was arrested by police officers from State CIID, Yaba. Benjamin’s arrest came shortly after Embassy Officials forwarded footage of his protest to the police.

Police Spokesperson, Bala Elkana confirmed the incident adding that the cleric was already on the way to court.

Information reaching POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Adamawa State has recorded its first Coronavirus (COVID-19) case.

It was learned that the patient is a returnee from Kano, who earlier been tested after submitting himself for the virus test.

According to SaharaReporters, an online newspaper, the man has been on self-isolation since returning to the state from Kano last week.

He said he was informed of his infection of the virus on Wednesday morning by the COVID-19 Containment Committee in Adamawa.

He told SaharaReporters: “I got a call from the COVID-19 Containment Committee this morning, informing me that my result showed I’m positive for the virus.”

Confirming the news in a state broadcast on Wednesday, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri said the victim is a returnee from Kano State.

He said an emergency meeting with stakeholders and security agencies will be held before evening and the state may be on total lockdown as a result of the incident.

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus, several reports have been written to debunk claims by many individuals and groups that there are now vaccines for the deadly disease.

It has killed over 60,000 persons in the world among close to two million persons infected.

In Nigeria alone, there are over 700 cases at of Tuesday evening.COVID-19 is a respecter of no one including kings and world leaders.

The World Health Organisation says there is no vaccine yet as two of its staff have also been infected.

On Wednesday, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) debunked a viral post claiming that a liquid mixture had been discovered as Coronavirus vaccine.

The agency took to twitter saying: “A liquid mixture is being sold with claims that it is”#COVID19 vaccine”. This is FALSE!

“There is currently NO VACCINE or drug approved for #COVID19 prevention by health authorities#TakeResponslibility.

“Only purchase & consume drugs at accredited pharmacies or health facilities”

A liquid mixture is being sold with claims that it is”#COVID19 vaccine”. This is FALSE!

There is currently NO VACCINE or drug approved for #COVID19 prevention by health authorities#TakeResponslibility

Only purchase & consume drugs at accredited pharmacies or health facilities pic.twitter.com/xVLNPLmcMj

— NCDC (@NCDCgov) April 22, 2020

The coronavirus scourge has left the hope of students hanging as many are uncertain of when the schools will resume. Recall that the Federal government had earlier ordered an indefinite closure of schools at all levels nationwide since March.

Notwithstanding, misinformation and rumours have trailed the specific date these schools will be re-opened. Some time ago, it was rumoured that the schools will commence work on May 1, however, the Federal Ministry of Education appealed to Nigerians to ignore reports in circulation that claim the Education Minister, Adamu Adamu, has directed the reopening of schools.

The spokesperson of the ministry, Ben Goong, in a statement of April 13, said there was no such directive from the minister because everyone had been instructed to work from home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, the recent one is a viral image being shared across social media platforms. The image displayed the following; “FG ORDERS CLOSURE OF SCHOOLS NATIONWIDE TILL NOVEMBER, 2020 DUE TO THE PANDEMIC OF COVID 19”. The image also contained a press statement dated April 21 and was purportedly signed by Adamu Mallam on behalf of the Ministry of Education.

“The Federal Ministry of Education is closing all tertiary, secondary and primary schools nationwide over the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country. The ministry said it is part of measures to contain the spread of the virus.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Sunny Echono, confirmed this to PREMIUM TIMES Thursday night. He did not, however, clarify whether schools were closed.

When asked for dates and the duration of the closure, Mr Echono said details would be sent out on “Wednesday,” Premium Times, an online newspaper was quoted.

VERIFICATION: Checks by POLITICS NIGERIA revealed that the content of the image was lifted verbatim from a report first published on March 19. It was authored by Azizat Adedigba, an education correspondent for Premium Times newspaper.

Meanwhile, the original report did not include November 2020 as the resumption date. Also, when contacted by POLITICS NIGERIA, Ms Adedigba flagged the image as FAKE. A reverse image search done on Google showed that the viral picture emanated from social media apps like WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.

More so, in response to our enquiries, the spokesperson of the National Universities Commission (NUC), Ibrahim Yakassai, denied knowledge of any issued resumption date. “There is nothing of such,” he said on Wednesday afternoon.

VERDICT: The Federal government is yet to release ANY resumption DATE for schools.