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Edward Omaga appointed spokesman for International Human Rights Protection Service

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The Chairman Board of Trustees/President of Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), Barrister Edward Ejembi Omaga has been appointed as the Honourable Public Relations Officer of International Human Rights Protection Service – IRHPS in Nigeria.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, 2nd December, 2019 by the Media Officer of GICN, Miss Blessing Ehi Ogbanje, the appointment was conveyed in a letter dated 15th October, 2019 and signed by Bishop Joseph Rankin who is the International President of IHRPS based in Florida, USA together with his Nigerian counterpart Amb. Mrs. Blessing Joseph Afang, Esq.

Barrister Omaga hails from Benue State in the North Central Region of Nigeria. He studied Law at the prestigious Benue State University, Makurdi and was called to the Nigerian Bar on 8th May, 2007, having attended the Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus. The People’s Barrister as he is fondly called by friends and associates has a deep interest in entrenching the tenets of good governance whilst seeing to the protection of the rights of vulnerable persons in the society.

The very vibrant lawyer was a students’ activist in his University days and equally served as the President of Legal Aid Club, during his compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year in Aba, Abia State.

Omaga practiced with Efere Ozako & Associates in Lagos and later relocated to Abuja where he practiced with a couple of law firms including R.A. Mom & Associates from 2009 to 2012, during which period he became more exposed to humanitarian activities. Until his appointment, Omaga was the Principal of Graylaw Solicitors, a litigation oriented law firm headquartered in Abuja with operational offices in Lagos, Makurdi and Kaduna.

Through his several engagements in civil cases, he took particular interest in defending human rights from a legal viewpoint which is very rare. His passion for humanity led him and other like-minded colleagues to form GICN in January, 2018 mainly for purposes of advancing human rights through pro bono service and fighting corruption, injustice and economic sabotage in Nigeria.

After the Official Inauguration of the National Executive Committee of IHRPS held on Friday, 29th November, 2019 at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, Barrister Omaga accepted to serve the organisation with maximum dedication. He promised to bring his vast experience in public relations to bear by projecting the organisation positively. He finally thanked IHRPS for affording him yet another platform to further advance the cause of humanity.

At that event, a total of eleven pro bono lawyers and seven paralegals most of whom are staffers of GICN were also inaugurated to commence work for IHRPS immediately.

Red Cross and a handshake beyond the elbow

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By Timothy Onwe

In the over a decade, I have contributed to the national discourse, there has never been a time like now that I am writing with so much pain in me. The anxiety stems not from bodily harm, but that of disappointment from an organization that is on the ground in over 90 countries and prides itself as neutral, impartial, and independent.

This same organization, for inexplicable reasons, has so decided to veer off its core mandate of helping people affected by conflict and armed violence to delving into propaganda, illogical conclusions, and outright insinuation at the detriment of peace and tranquillity.

That organization is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and its recent report that over 22,000 people are missing in North-East Nigeria as a result of the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigerian Military. I was dazed and could not come to terms with such disservice to Nigeria and Nigerians.

In my opinion, the ICRC went overboard with its statement, and I think the relevant authorities in Nigeria should do well to refute its report for the sake of tomorrow because if this is allowed, then we might be creating a monster that would constitute a clog in the wheel of progress in Nigeria.

As a start, the report by the ICRC is false. There is not an element of truth in it, and this fact must be clearly stated for all and sundry to understand because as it stands, quite a number have been misled to believe that the Nigerian Military has not lived up to its billing in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

Secondly, I believe that something is amiss somewhere for the ICRC to condescend to the level of impartiality and lack of objectivity in its framing of issues. I say this because, as one conversant with the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigerian Military, the ICRC report is a disservice to the on-going efforts to bring to an end the activities of Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria.

How the ICRC got to this level remains a topic of discourse. However, in the context of the counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria, the ICRC got it wrong either by omission or commission. The tripod of neutrality, impartiality, and independence was missing in its entirety in the report by the ICRC.

This is on the heels that questions have been asked in certain quarters as regards the sincerity of purpose of international NGOs in the war against terrorism in Nigeria. And with this coming from the stable of the ICRC, that suspicion has been heightened. There is every reason to suspect that there is some interest working against the interest of Nigeria, and these interests come under various nomenclatures.

These interests look for willing tools to propagate half-truths and cause a distraction, especially where the Nigerian Military is making gains. Countless examples buttress this fact, and the recent outing by ICRC is an addition to that league of soldiers that want to see to the destabilization and disintegration of Nigeria.

The ICRC as an organization has failed woefully in this attempt because the attempt, as despicable as it is, is feeble and of poor taste. Unless they want to feign ignorance of the search and rescue operations of the Nigerian Military that has yielded tremendous results with the rescue of thousands of women and children that have been united with their families.

Like I stated earlier, I am in pain because I am still trying to figure the level of the conspiracy that has gone into the plot to discredit the counter-insurgency efforts in the country. I won’t say I am entirely disappointed, because in recent times there have been quite some revelations on the activities of some acclaimed NGOs such as Amnesty International and how they cut corners in return for pecuniary benefits.

I am therefore emboldened to state that the ICRC is no different from these groups that have deviated from their core mandate. For the ICRC, it is indeed a shame that should give critical stakeholders in Nigeria a cause to worry as to how these terrorist groups have been able to infiltrate the ranks of some credible international NGOs to actualize their nefarious agenda.

If this is not the case, how could one phantom that an organization such as the ICRC would be in the business of spreading outright falsehood without minding the implication of their actions? Some might want to argue that there is always a first time, but, no, because this is a wrong first time that dampens the morale of the military authorities and rubbishes all the gains made so far in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

The concept of psychological warfare, which is the planned tactical use of propaganda, threats, and other non-combat techniques during the war, should open our eyes to this stark reality that we are confronting and the angle the ICRC is coming from. They have been compromised, and this much is glaring; hence, the propaganda aimed towards giving the Boko Haram terrorist that advantage they could not gain in the battlefront due to the resilience and commitment of the military authorities in the fight against terrorism in Nigeria.

I could have fallen for the gimmick, but I didn’t because I am conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria, however, what about those out there not conversant and have been misled by this sheer propaganda?

This is my suggestion. The relevant authorities in Nigeria must rise to the occasion and nip this anomaly in the bud before it gets out of hand. They must begin the process of countering the narrative that is being pushed forward about the credibility of the military authorities in its counter-insurgency operations. And for the ICRC, this is a handshake beyond the elbow.

There is a need for retracing of steps in the interest of the sensibilities of Nigerians they have attempted to insult.

Onwe is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja.

Boko Haram: Centre accuses Red Cross of peddling falsehood to discredit Nigerian authorities, local CSOs

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The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) has accused the International Committee on Red Cross (ICRC) of a deliberately peddling falsehood to undermine the efforts of the Nigerian military in the North-East.

The Centre believes the international humanitarian organisation is misrepresenting facts in a bid to mislead unsuspecting members of the general public.

This trails a recent report where the Red Cross alleged that nearly 22,000 Nigerians are missing in the North-East.

This figure, according to the ICRC, represented the highest number of missing persons registered in any country.

At a world press conference on Monday in Abuja, CESJET revealed that there is a campaign of calumny by the ICRC against the Military’s counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria.

Speaking on behalf of CESJET, Executive Director, Isaac Ikpa, said that there’s no element of truth in the piece, describing it as a propaganda to dampen the morale of the troops, especially at a time the military recorded massive gains in the fight against terrorism.

The Centre, therefore, advised Red Cross to desist from commenting on issues outside their operational purview and concentrate on providing humanitarian services that it is known for.

While urging Nigerians to always verify such reports, the Centre, however, called on the ICRC to tender an unreserved apology to the military authorities, as well as withdraw the statement credited to it.

Read full statement below:

I most warmly welcome you all to the World Press Conference put together by the Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency (CESJET) in the light of the recently misrepresentation of facts by the International Committee on Red Cross on the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria where either by omission or commission erroneously stated that over 22,000 Nigerians have been declared missing in North-East Nigeria.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency, having been conversant with the counter-insurgency operations in North-East Nigeria, is alarmed by the fact the International Committee on Red Cross would condescend to the unenviable height of misrepresenting facts and attempting to mislead unsuspecting members of the general public.

The disposition of the ICRC is an affront to the efforts of various civil society organizations that have devoted time and resources in monitoring the counter-insurgency operations of the Nigerian Military in North-East Nigeria. It is as well an insult to the sensibilities of Nigerians for such a false statement to be made public by the ICRC.

This is also cognisant of the fact that the parameters used in arriving at such postulation might either be defective or outdated, as there is no element of truth in the ICRC report on the number of missing persons in North-East Nigeria.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency see the recent move by the ICRC as covert terrorist propaganda aimed at damping the morale of the Nigerian troops in operation in North-East Nigeria.

It is also somewhat curious that this is coming on the heels when the Nigerian Military has made considerable gains in the fight against terrorism in North-East Nigeria that has seen the remnants of Boko Haram flee to the fringes of the Lake Chad Basin region.

It is also curious that the ICRC would feign ignorance to the fact that the Nigerian Military in operation in North-East Nigeria has been conducting search and rescue operations that have resulted in the rescue of thousands of women and children and reunited them with their families.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency wishes to highlight the fact that on November 17, 2019, Nigerian troops deployed in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State rescued women and children, as well as an older woman in her 80s from Boko Haram captivity.

On May 19, 2019, The Nigerian army rescued 54 women and children held captive by the extremist group Boko Haram. On June 24, 2019, over 120 women and children were rescued by the Nigerian military from Boko Haram captivity. On March 7, 2018, over 1000 women and children were rescued by the Nigerian military from Boko Haram captivity. On June 5, 2018, the Nigerian Military rescued 54 women been used as sex slaves by the Boko Haram terrorist. And the list goes on and is verifiable.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency, believes that the report by the ICRC is intended for mischief purposes as there is no iota of truth in the claims made therein. It consequently behoves on all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard whatever postulations the ICRC has canvassed with regards to missing persons in North-East Nigeria, as well as a probe of military operations in North East.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency are worried about this trend that is capable of misleading unsuspecting members of the general public on the actual state of affairs in North-East Nigeria, as well as the efforts of the Nigerian Military in Search and Rescue operations.

The ICRC has, by their action, demonstrated that they are either not conversant with the happenings in North-East Nigeria, or they have so chosen to take the dishonourable path like others that do not want the war on terrorism in Nigeria to come to an end.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity, and Transparency, therefore, states that the report by the ICRC is highly condemnable and must be retracted for lack of objectivity and an outright attempt at smearing the image of the Nigerian Military in operations in North-East Nigeria.

The ICRC must, as a matter of urgency, desist from commenting on issues outside their operational purview and concentrate on providing humanitarian services that it is recognized for. The ICRC must not allow itself to be used by agents of Boko Haram terrorist groups to spread propaganda that would mislead unsuspecting members of the general public.

The Centre of Social Justice, Equity and Transparency as a result of this calls on the ICRC to tender an unreserved apology to the military authorities, as well as withdraw the statement credited to it.

The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency wishes to advise the ICRC to always verify the information before going to press, else it might lose its credibility before the relevant authorities in Nigeria, as well as the Nigerian people.

RevolutionNow: Civil rights group protest at AGF’s office, demands investigation of foreign associates in plot to destabilize Nigeria

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The last seems not to have been heard on the embattled publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore as a group of civil rights activists today in Abuja took to the street to demand the investigation of his foreign  counterparts in the RevolutionNow protest which authorities have claimed is targeted at destabilizing the country.

The protesters, led by the Congress for Defence of Democracy (CDF), ended their walk at the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, calling for an urgent probe on the nefarious activities of Mr Sowore and his foreign collaborators.

In a petition signed by Convener, Stephen Okenarhe and submitted to the AGF, the CDF revealed that it would be a disservice to the unity of Nigeria should Mr Sowore be granted bail without identifying his foreign sponsors.

According to Okenarhe, the controversial human rights activist have proven to be acting a script by “enemies of Nigeria that are envious of the giant strides recorded in critical sectors of the economy in the past four years under President Muhammadu Buhari”.

Besides the ongoing seven-count charge trial, the group pointed out that Mr Sowore has secretly been receiving illicit funds from some foreign sources while also covertly running the propaganda wing of Boko Haram.

Okenarhe added that the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress even signed a pact with the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and some disgruntled opposition politicians to destabilise the nation.

Mr Sowore, the group reckoned, could eventually jump bail and continue with his nefarious activities – just like Nnamdi Kanu.

The protesters, therefore, called on the AGF “ to use his good office to institute discrete investigation by the concerned authorities to track down and arrest those involved.

“The Attorney General of the Federation may wish to know that the charges brought against Omoyele Sowore are not a reflection of the enormity of the havoc he intended for the country with his planned Revolution Now,” the statement reads in part.

“ The Honourable Attorney General may wish to be informed that Omoyele Sowore has been secretly receiving illicit funds from some foreign sources since the build-up to the general elections for vote-buying. However, he mismanaged the funds, and the alternative was to stage a violent revolution to impress his paymasters.

“ This is on the heels that the Omoyele Sowore indeed planned to cause unrest in the country by receiving a massive amount of monies from questionable sources to procure arms and ammunitions.

“Omoyele Sowore is also known to be courting the members of the opposition party, and because he runs a popular internet news site (Saharareporters.com), he availed himself to members of the opposition to aid their destabilization plot after they lost the elections.

“Omoyele Sowore has been covertly running the propaganda wing of Boko Haram in conjunction with other intellectual asset of the terrorists group in Nigeria. This has seen his news outlet receiving and publishing information on troops’ movements, casualty figures in attacks that never took place or just before they take place etc. But to our greatest surprise, these were neither investigated by the DSS or featured in the charges against Sowore in court.

“Omoyele Sowore also planned to orchestrate mass outcry against the Federal Government of Nigeria in order to trigger wanton killings by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) led by Nnamdi Kanu. We have it on good authority that he had a meeting with Nnamdi Kanu and these were discussed before his subsequent arrest by the DSS.

“Omoyele Sowore secretly entered a pact with sponsors of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) being Iran to cause unrest in the country in line with an earlier threat that Nigeria will pay for disallowing the lawless activities of the IMN. He has served as the conduit for the transfer of funds to the IMN through the accounts of SaharaReporters where the funds come in donations.

“ Omoyele Sowore in collaboration with the major losers of the 2019 are still nursing the intention of destroying our democratic ethos instead of waiting for the next general election to test their self acclaimed popularity through the ballot.

“ We wish to inform the Honourable Attorney General that with the avalanche of established cases against Omoyele Sowore, it would be indeed a great disservice to the unity of Nigeria should he be granted bail without identifying his sponsors, as well as those with whom Omoyele Sowore plotted with to destabilize the peace and unity of our country.

“ The Honourable Attorney General may also wish to know that as it stands, Omoyele Sowore poses a significant threat to peace and tranquillity in Nigeria, as credible information at public disposal indicates covert plans to organize protests across the country against the government in the name of freedom of expression or bogus claims to fighting for human rights at the detriment of national security.

“The case of Ibraheem El-Zakzaky is also worthy of mention where he plotted to be airlifted to Iran through a brief stop over in Dubai but was intercepted through the vigilante eyes of the security agencies.

“We are by this letter calling on the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to use his good office to institute discrete investigation by the concerned authorities into the nefarious activities of Omoyele Sowore to track down and arrest those involved in the destabilization agenda.

“We are constrained to add that not until a proper investigation is carried out by the relevant security agencies, releasing Omoyele Sowore will endanger the lives of other citizens, particularly the youths, to carry out actions that will disintegrate the country.

“It is good to mention that the parallel government which Sowore intends to form is already reaching out to countries like Iran for recognition whereas people like Deji Adeyanju, Dayo Ariyo etc are being penciled as Ministers in that arrangement.”

Why I support the social media bill -Zahra Buhari

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Buhari’s daughter Zahra Indimi has revealed why she supports social media bill citing how Nigerians blames her for her father’s failure.

Zahra said people were surprised that not all northerners are illiterates and that Buhari’s children are really educated.

Zahra Buhari speaking at her first edition of “An Afternoon with Zahra”, an event organised in Abuja by her foundation, ZMB Homes and tagged #ConversationWithZahra.

The event, which participants paid N10,000 to attend, had several young Nigerians in attendance.

On attacks she suffered on social media, cyber bullies, and how she was able to develop courage to handle them she said:

“2015 was when I knew what bullying was. It started with my photos going viral. I was actually having a yoga class and I was sweating but people were busy sending my pictures up and down. People used it for their gain during the campaign.

“But the issue changed the way people looked at my dad because they didn’t know that we were educated, we could speak English, and we could dress. So it changed a few things for good. It showed another light. People then understood that in the North not everybody is illiterate.

“The 2015 elections went well. After 100 days, then the blow started coming. ‘Zahra your father did this… Zahra your father did that. But seriously, am I in office with him? Do I take any vital decision?

“Did you understand why some decisions are being taken? When I post my picture, it is my picture. It is not your child’s picture. I kept wondering why people do this to me constantly.”

To victims of cyber bullying, Zahra said, “I know we have people who are victims here. So to be honest, if you are a victim you need to feel sorry for those people; they want to be where you are and they are not there. So they will try to pull you down. Would you let them pull you down? No. You need to know that you have the values that someone also wants.”

On her position on the controversial social media bill, which has passed second reading in the Senate, the daughter of the president said, “Whatever it (the bill) is, you need to understand and know the implication of the bill. So that’s what we need to do as young people.

“We need to research more, understand what is going on instead of just making silly comments every now and then and blaming people for no reason. So I am in support of regulations, but fair regulations.”

 

‘Maintain your positions as former senators, stay off the streets’ – Okpokwu warns Shehu Sani, Dino

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A civil rights activist, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi has cautioned former senators Dino Melaye and Shehu Sani to maintain their positions as former law makers and distance themselves from acts that will constitute nuisance in the polity thereby distracting the good works of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Comrade Okpokwu in an exclusive chat with TeleVision Nigerian on Sunday noted that it is already unbecoming of the former senators who after losing out of power have turned themselves into some emergency activists.

“The streets are not for both Dino Melaye and Shehu Sani. They have to maintain their status as statesmen so as to contribute positively to the growth of this country.

“Ever since Shehu Sani left the senate, he has become emergency blogger who is constantly churning out hate and discord and all of a sudden Dino has joined in”

He noted that constructive criticism is a way of strengthening government, but not at the expense of national interest.

Army troops repel Boko Haram invasion, release scores of civilians from captivity

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Troops of Operation LAFIYA DOLE and elements of Yobe State Vigilantes supported by Air Task Force Operation LAFIYA DOLE have in a bold and resilient response successfully thwarted the attempted infiltration by the criminal insurgents into Nigerian Army troops deployment in Babban Gida.

(L-R) MUSA BULAMA (A MEDICAL DOCTOR), GANA YELWA (A NURSE) AND MALAM BALA MUSA (AMBULANCE DRIVER) RESCUED BY COMBINED TROOPS OF SECTOR 2 OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE AND TROOPS OF 233 TANK BATTALION AFTER AN ENCOUNTER WITH BOKO HARAM CRIMINALS AT BABBAN GIDA, TARMUWA LGA OF YOBE STATE ON 27 NOVEMBER 2019

Recall that, Babban Gida, the administrative Headquarters of Tarmuwa LGA of Yobe State came under attack by some marauding Boko Haram criminals on 27 November 2019.

The criminal terrorists sneaked into the peaceful community on board 9 Gun Trucks to unleash terror on the innocent citizens while simultaneously attempting to overrun the troops deployment in the community. In the process, the criminal insurgents looted some properties and abducted some citizens with obvious intent to conscript them into their criminal fold.

(L-R) ADAMU MADUGU, TUKUR ABDULKARIM AND IBRAHIM SULAIMAN ALSO RESCUED BY THE COMBINED TROOPS OF SECTOR 2 OPERATION LAFIYA DOLE AND TROOPS OF 233 TANK BATTALION AFTER AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE BOKO HARAM CRIMINALS AT BABBAN GIDA, TARMUWA LGA OF YOBE STATE ON 27 NOVEMBER 2019

After a fierce fire fight that lasted about one hour, causing them to withdraw in disarray. During the exploitation that ensued, the troops put up a hot pursuit of the marauding criminals and in the process discovered the shattered remains of one of them along their withdrawal route while one Rocket Propelled Gun 7 (RPG 7) bomb was also captured from the criminals. The troops later exerted their dominance within the community and beyond. Normalcy has since been been restored to the community.

It is gratifying to note that all 20 abductees of the criminal insurgents including a team of medical personnel comprising one Musa Bulama (a medical doctor), Gana Yelwa (a Nurse) and Malam Bala Musa (Yobe State Primary Healthcare Ambulance driver) have been successfully rescued by the troops. Additionally, a Toyota SUV Ambulance belonging to the Yobe State Primary Healthcare Board earlier snatched by the insurgents was equally recovered by the gallant troops. Others equally rescued are Adamu Madugu, Tukur Abdulkarim, Ibrahim Sulaiman and 14 males between the ages all of whom are teenagers of 13 – 16 years.

The Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE Major General Olusegun Adeniyi on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai commends the troops for their exceptional display of gallantry, professionalism and responsiveness. He has further enjoined them to keep the pressure on the criminal Boko Haram elements until they are completely neutralised.

 

Sowore: Beware of emergency activists faking as pro-democracy fighters, group warns

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Omoyele Sowore
Omoyele Sowore

Following recent protests calling for the release of Sahara Reporters founder, Omoyele Sowore, the Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance (IDGG) has raised an alarm over the upsurge of misleading Pro-Democracy organisations purportedly defending human rights in the country.

The group gave this warning on Saturday in Abuja to address what it described as the “Upsurge of Private Enterprises as Pro-Democracy Fighters”.

Speaking on behalf of IDGG, Executive Director, Comrade Joseph Idoko described the trend as “worrisome” and “dangerous” for the entrenchment of democracy in the country.

The group reckoned this is the handiwork of politicians who are hell-bent on making the country ungovernable having lost relevance in the nation’s political space.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance, therefore, called on security agencies to begin the profiling of these “overnight groups to nip in the bud their nefarious activities”.

Read full statement below:

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance is compelled to call this press conference in light of the sudden upsurge of groups under various nomenclatures parading themselves as pro-democracy groups and fighting for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria.

This is indeed a worrisome trend given the fact that some persons and individuals have turned pro-democratic activities in a private enterprise where they can smile to the bank, not minding whose ox is gored.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance views the trend as dangerous for the entrenchment of democracy in Nigeria due to the tendency for disgruntled politicians to hijack the system and wreak havoc of unimaginable proportion.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance is also alarmed by the way and manner these supposed pro-democracy groups has carried on with such legitimately, even when it is glaring that the quest for monetary benefits buoys actions and activities.

The danger of this is that those interests against the progress of Nigeria can easily use these supposed pro-democracy groups to make the Country ungovernable in exchange for monetary gains.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance suspects that there is a likelihood that the emergence of these groups is the handiwork of politicians who have lost out in the present political arrangement in the Country and, as such, one of the ways to get their pound of flesh is to instigate crisis.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance wishes to use this medium to bring to the notice of the relevant authorities in Nigeria that the various groups parading themselves as pro-democracy groups are nothing but an outright fraud which is inimical to the national interest.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance consequently charge the various security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, begins the profiling of these “overnight” groups to nip in the bud their nefarious activities.

The overall implication of the activities of these groups is that they would avail themselves as willing tools to those that are bent on seeing to the disintegration of Nigeria.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance wishes to also bring to the notice of the generality of Nigerians that these groups are extremely against the interest of Nigeria. As such, they should view with a pinch of salt, any form of advocacy coming from them.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance believes that should the relevant authorities fail to act in good stead, Nigeria might be dealing with a more significant challenge in the nearest future.

The Initiative for Democracy and Good Governance as a result of this state in unequivocal terms that the unity and progress of Nigeria are sacrosanct and all those masquerading under various pro-democracy nomenclatures to enrich their pockets should desist from such private enterprises in the interest of national security.

London bridge attacks, a terrorist act – Police

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British police have shot dead a man who had strapped a fake bomb to his body and stabbed a number of people in what they said was a “terrorism incident” in the London Bridge area of the capital.

“A male suspect was shot by specialist armed officers from the City of London police and I can confirm that this suspect died at the scene,” the United Kingdom’s top counterterrorism officer, Neil Basu, told reporters.

“A number of other people received injuries during this incident,” Basu said. “We believe a device that was strapped to the body of the suspect was a hoax explosive device.”

A video posted on Twitter showed a group of about half a dozen men wrestling with someone on the ground on the sidewalk of the bridge. One of them backs away from the scene carrying a knife.

As he looks towards the melee, an armed police officer drags another person away from the man on the floor.

Soon after, what sound like two gunshots ring out, and the man on the ground stops moving. Reuters could not immediately verify the footage.

In a statement on Twitter, London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “I remain in close contact with the Metropolitan Police and am being kept updated with events.”

“It has been confirmed that people were injured in the attack. My heart goes out to them, their families and all affected,” it said, adding that people must stay “resolute” and “united in the face of terror”.

There was a heavy police presence in the area, which was sealed off as helicopters circled above. Several buildings were put on lockdown. People in buildings around the scene were evacuated to the north side of the River Thames by security services.

Connor Allen, an events manager who was near the scene, told Al Jazeera he heard “quite a few” gunshots.

“Everyone just started running, that’s what you do in that situation,” he said, describing scenes of “pandemonium”.

Plane crash kills seven in Canada

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Five Americans and two Canadians were killed when a light aircraft crashed in a wooded area on the north shore of Lake Ontario, Canada’s transport safety agency said Thursday.

The US-registered single-engine Piper PA-32 departed Toronto’s Buttonville Airport and was apparently headed to Quebec City when it crashed on approach to the Kingston, Ontario airport on Wednesday just after five pm (2200 GMT), Transportation Safety Board (TSB) investigator Ken Webster told a press conference.

Emergency services, including police on all-terrain vehicles and a military search and rescue helicopter, were dispatched to locate the downed plane, which was found in a thick rush.

“Five Americans and two Canadians were aboard,” TSB spokeswoman Nora Vallee told reporters.

Canadian media reported that the pilot was from the state of Texas and the plane was carrying his spouse, three children aged three, 11 and 15 along with two Canadians.

The foreign ministry of Uzbekistan identified two of the victims — Otabek Oblokulov and Bobomurod Nabiev — as citizens of the ex-Soviet country in Central Asia.

It said Oblokulov had been piloting the plane and that the other victims included his wife and three children.

Canadian investigators were busy throughout the day “taking pictures of the wreckage, looking at the condition of the engines and the general condition of the aircraft,” TSB spokesman Alexandre Fournier told AFP.

He added that they would also try to recover the plane’s flight recorder and review radio communications with control towers.

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