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Kunle Afolayan, the filmmaker, has revealed that some scenes of the second season of ‘Anikulapo’ series will be filmed in Ghana.
‘Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre’, a six-part series produced by Afolayan, premiered on Netflix on March 1.
The mini-series, which was filmed at the Kunle Afolayan Production (KAP) film village in Oyo state, was a sequel to ‘Anikulapo’, the 2022 award-winning film.
In a recent post via his Instagram page, Afolayan disclosed his intention to shoot parts of the forthcoming season in Ghana.
The filmmaker also shared photos from the film location recce in Ghana.
Afolayan said the development is in partnership with Ghana’s National Film Authority.
“Anikulapo series new season. Location recce in Ghana in collaboration with @nationalfilmauthority,” he wrote.
In September 2022, Afolayan released ‘Anikulapo’ as a one-part movie, starring Kunle Remi and Bimbo Ademoye as lead cast.
‘Anikulapo’ tells the story of Saro, a young cloth weaver, who is brought back to life by a mystical bird after he was beaten to death for having an affair with Arolake, the Alaafin of Oyo’s youngest wife.
‘Rise of The Spectre’ became the film’s sequel, spinning off into a series that tells the story of Saro’s return from death. A dazed Saro receives an order from the guardians of the afterlife to complete a task he would deem impossible.
Among the actors featured in the series are Sola Sobowale, Owobo Ogunde, Jide Kosoko, Taiwo Hassan, Gabriel Afolayan, and Lateef Adedimeji.
Others are Layi Wasabi, Eyiyemi Afolayan, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Moji Afolayan, Aisha Lawal, Uzee Usman, Adeniyi Johnson, and Funky Mallam.
‘Anikulapo’ bagged four awards at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) ceremony including the ‘Best Overall Movie, Africa’.
[TheCable]
Popular Nigerian actor, Kevin Ikeduba has opened up on his other plans if he was not in the movie industry.
The talented thespian revealed that he would be a drug baron if he wasn’t an actor.
He disclosed this while featuring on Hip TV programme, ‘Trending,’ recently.
The host, Pascal, asked: “If you weren’t an actor, what would you be doing?”
Ikeduba replied: “I would be a drug baron if I wasn’t an actor.”
Kevin Ikeduba made his Nollywood debut in the year 2000. He is best known for playing the role of notorious criminal in movies.
I just felt bad for the masses As Tuber Of Yam Now Cost ₦10,000 – Actress, Caroline Danjuma Laments
AFOLABI
Nollywood actress, Caroline Hutchins has lamented over the increase in the prices of foodstuffs in the country.
In an Instagram post, the thespian stated that she was saddened after a visit to the Sunday market in Ogba, Lagos State.
Recounting her ordeal, Caroline questioned how Nigerians are coping with the expensive food items, stressing that a tuber of yam is being sold at N10,0000, a paint bucket of potatoes at N9,000, a bag of rice at N85,000, and two pieces of Titus fish at N5,000.
Caroline added that she was very sad about the development, noting that she was not so keen on pricing in the market.
She wrote, “I went to Sunday market yesterday, I used to go there with my grandma, nostalgic. Hmmm. How are you all coping? A tuber of yam 10k, a small paint bucket of potatoes 9k, a bag of rice 85k, avocado pear 1k/1.5k (the woman wasn’t smiling before I asked for a discount). Two pieces of Titus Fish 5k. How are you all coping? I was soooo sad I started shopping for my domestic staff inclusive. How are you all coping? I wasn’t so keen on pricing in the market; I just felt bad for the masses.
“Everything is expensive. It is well with us. Just want to take the time to check up on you all today. Maybe we need group sessions for mental and emotional therapy; I am willing to start it up with some of you…
“Sending you all big hugs. The sun will soon shine on us all.”
Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II has reacted to the planned nationwide protest against hunger and hardship.
He urged Nigerians to shun the planned August protest even though he knows things are rough.
He expressed optimism that things will get better.
Oba Ewuare II said Nigerians have to give the federal government time to implement its economic policies to solve challenges facing the economy.
In a statement, on Wednesday, by Oba Ewuare’s Chief Press Secretary, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, the Benin royal father said the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government needed enough time to fix economic hardship in the country.
The state read in part, “Arising from the emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee of the National Council of Traditional Rukers of Nigeria (NCTRN), held in Abuja on Monday, 22 July, the Omo N’Oba wishes to appeal to the general public to give the federal government enough time to implement its economic policies that will alleviate the present hardship being experienced by Nigerians.
“For things to get better, it has to be rough for a while. The Omo N’Oba, therefore, appeals to those that are planning the August 1st national protest to shelve the plan.”
The statement further called on the federal government to intensify efforts in implementing economic and security policies to address the country’s challenges.
“The Omo N’Oba also appeals to the federal government to intensify efforts in implementing of its economic and security policies,” he said.
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has launched a major crackdown on ‘Yahoo Boys,’ deleting thousands of Nigerian accounts involved in financial sextortion scams.
The company removed accounts, including a coordinated network of around 2,500 accounts. It revealed this in a report entitled, ‘Combating Financial Sextortion Scams From Nigeria,’
noting that financial sextortion is a horrific crime that can have devastating consequences.
The tech giant highlighted that it removed a set of Facebook accounts, pages, and groups run by ‘Yahoo Boys’ under its ‘Dangerous Organisations and Individuals policy.’
Yahoo boys are online fraudsters whose moniker originated from the email service, Yahoo, which became popular in Nigeria in the 2000s. These scammers are the successors of 419 fraudsters, who used to promise to help strangers get rich through letters and later emails for an advance fee.
A Bloomberg Businessweek exposé in April highlighted the rise of financial sextortion in the US, tracing many scams to Nigeria. Meta explained that financial sextortion is a borderless crime, increasingly driven by the activities of Yahoo Boys, whom it described as loosely organised cybercriminals operating primarily out of Nigeria and specialising in various scams.
Meta has removed 63,000 Instagram accounts in Nigeria linked to financial sextortion scams, including a coordinated network of around 2,500 accounts tied to a group of about 20 individuals.
These scammers primarily targeted adult men in the US, using fake accounts to conceal their identities. Meta used a combination of new technical signals and in-depth investigations by its expert teams to identify and remove these accounts.
“The majority of these accounts had already been detected and disabled by our enforcement systems, and this investigation allowed us to remove the remaining accounts and understand more about the techniques being used to improve our automated detection,” the tech giant said.
It noted that most of the scammers’ attempts were unsuccessful and primarily targeted adults, though they also attempted to target minors. These accounts have been reported to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).
“Since these criminals don’t limit themselves to any one platform, we also share relevant information with other tech companies through the Tech Coalition’s Lantern program, so they can take action too,” Meta highlighted.
In addition to removing Instagram accounts, Meta’s efforts led to the removal of around 7,200 assets, including 1,300 Facebook accounts, 200 Facebook pages, and 5,700 Facebook groups based in Nigeria. These accounts provided tips for conducting scams, offering to sell scripts and guides for scamming, and sharing links to photo collections for fake accounts. Meta noted that its systems identify and automatically block attempts by these deleted groups to return.
“While these investigations and disruptions are critical, they’re just one part of our approach. We continue to support law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting these crimes, including by responding to valid legal requests for information and by alerting them when we become aware of someone at risk of imminent harm, in accordance with our terms of service and applicable law,” Meta stated.
This crackdown comes as Meta faces increased scrutiny over its operations in Nigeria.
The Nigerian agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has accused the tech giant of ‘abusive and invasive practices’ against the country’s users through its WhatsApp platform, demanding a $220 million fine. Meta is set to appeal this.
Authorities and operators have recently intensified their efforts to crack down on cybercrime.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), recently announced that the agency had secured 500 convictions in cybercrimes.
In July, the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) announced that it dismantled a Nigerian network involved in money mule recruitment and laundering funds from online financial fraud victims across Europe. The operation identified more than 25 syndicate members and was part of a global law enforcement effort targeting West African organised crime groups, including Black Axe. This led to hundreds of arrests, seizure of assets worth $3 million, and the dismantling of multiple criminal networks around the world.
[Businessday]
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has made an error in his statement regarding employers affected by the new National Minimum Wage approved by President Bola Tinubu. Last Tuesday, the Senate and House of Representatives passed the new minimum wage bill, which amends two key issues in the National Minimum Wage Act 2019. The legislation increases the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 and shortens the review period from five to three years.
Speaking after the bill's passage, Akpabio claimed that Nigerians cannot pay domestic workers less than N70,000. He stated, "The bill says that if you're a tailor and employ an additional hand, you cannot pay them below N70,000. If you're a mother with a newborn and hire a housemaid, you cannot pay that housemaid below N70,000." He emphasized that this applies to all employers, including those hiring drivers or gatemen.
However, Akpabio's remarks sparked controversy on social media, with many questioning his claim. A review of the National Minimum Wage Act 2019 by The Cable reveals that not all employers are obligated to pay the minimum wage. Section 3 (1) states that every employer with 25 or more employees must pay the national minimum wage. Section 4 exemptions include:
- Part-time workers
- Commission or piece-rate workers
- Establishments with fewer than 25 employees
- Seasonal workers (e.g., in agriculture)
- Workers on vessels or aircraft subject to merchant shipping or civil aviation laws
Verdict: Akpabio's claim that all employers, including those hiring maids or gatemen, must pay N70,000 minimum wage is false. The National Minimum Wage Act 2019 provides exemptions for certain employers and employees.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of assaulting Yoruba traditional institutions. He said the Yoruba are known for justice and fairness through upholding their traditions.
Gbadebo’s statement on Thursday followed an announcement on the Lagospedia X handle, on Wednesday. The handle announced that traditionalists in Lagos have fixed Oro to hold from August 1 to 15.
Lagos State government was accused of sponsoring the Oro event to shun the planned “EndbadgovernanceinNigeria” protest slated on August 1.
Gbadebo said, “The campaign by APC propaganda handles to use ORO – a sacred ritual in Yoruba land – to threaten protesters is an assault on our traditional institution. Casualizing centuries of a hallowed ritual with such juvenile intent debases our culture and corrupts our revered institution.
“The Yoruba are obsessed with Justice and fairness, not only as a guiding principle but also as a defining feature. It explains why, although the subjects recognize their king as an authority second only to the gods, the community does not tolerate high-handedness on the part of the king. Whenever they perceive such, there is bound to be a protest.”
He said while he supports peace and patience from the youths, the right to peaceful assembly must be respected by traditional leaders.
“I urge patience and restraint from our youth but defend their right to peaceful assembly. More importantly, I call on our respected traditional leaders to condemn our tradition’s desecration and guard our revered institutions jealously,” he added.
[NaijaNews]
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has sold one-year Treasury Bills (T-Bills) at a stop rate of 22.1% during its July 24 auction.
This move reflects the central bank’s ongoing efforts to manage liquidity and control inflation in the economy.
According to the auction result, the total amount offered by the CBN in this auction was N277.96 billion spread across the different tenors.
This represents an increase of 21.53% from N229.72 billion offered in the previous auction of June 26, 2024.
The total subscription amount for these tenors combined was up to N373.95 billion, exceeding the amount offered and reflecting strong investor confidence and demand for government securities.
However, this was a decrease of 51.68% from N774.98 billion total subscriptions recorded in the previous month’s auction.
At the latest auction, the total sales, or allotment, for the auction amounted to N277.96 billion, which is a marginal decline of 2.22% from the N284.26 billion allotted last month.
Nairametrics further observed that the amount allotted in the latest auction is approximately similar to what was offered in the previous auction.
Auction breakdown
The auction, held on July 24, 2024, offered three different tenors of Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs): 91-day, 182-day, and 364-day.
- For the 91-day T-Bills, the CBN offered an amount of N16.48 billion. The subscription for this tenor was N13.14 billion, which was fully allotted. The range of bid rates for these bills was between 16.0000% and 18.5000%, with the current stop rate set at 18.5000%, up from the previous stop rate of 16.3000%. This change represents an increase of 2.2000%, resulting in a true yield or return of 19.4125%.
- The 182-day NTBs had an offer amount of N6.44 billion, with subscriptions reaching N6.40 billion, slightly less than the amount offered. The total allotment matched the subscription amount. Bid rates for these bills ranged from 17.0000% to 19.5000%, with the current stop rate at 19.5000%, a rise from the previous stop rate of 17.4400%. This indicates a change of 2.0600%, providing a true yield or return of 21.6194%.
- The 364-day Treasury Bills saw the highest offer amount of N255.04 billion, with a subscription of N354.40 billion, as hungry-yield investors oversubscribed the one-year T-Bills. The allotment for these bills was N258.42 billion. Bid rates for this tenor ranged from 20.0000% to 26.7700%. The current stop rate was set at 22.1000%, up from the previous stop rate of 21.2400%, marking a change of 0.8600%. This resulted in a true yield or return of 28.3697%.
What you should know
The decision to sell one-year NTBs at such a high stop rate highlights the CBN’s strategy to attract more investors by offering competitive returns.
This move is anticipated to help the central bank manage excess liquidity in the banking system, which is a critical factor in controlling inflation.
The high subscription rate, particularly for the 364-day bills, reflects a preference for longer-term securities, likely driven by expectations of future economic stability and favourable returns.
The range of bids and the stop rates across the different tenors suggest competitive bidding, with investors keen on securing these government securities.
[NaijaNews]
The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has declared its resolve not to participate in the planned national hunger protest scheduled to take place on 1st of August 2024.
The church, therefore, warned all its members and followers across the country to stay away from the protest.
In a statement signed by Rev. Ibrahim Kassim, ECWA Public Relations Officer, in Jos, Plateau State capital, the church said it had received reports on a planned Protest being organized by some citizens of Nigeria.
“ECWA is aware that Protest is considered, worldwide, as one of the ways of expressing displeasure or objection to certain issues, policies or actions. It is also a medium through which people voice their concerns, create awareness or push for change. The Church is also aware of the severe economic hardship and the bedeviling insecurity that the citizens are experiencing, which are the cardinal issues being promulgated as the reasons for the protest.
“However, we are all aware that protests can take different dimensions as witnessed during the “END SARS PROTEST” when hoodlums infiltrated the protesters and wrecked serious havoc that led to the loss of many lives and properties. Therefore, considering the volatile nature of protests in Nigeria, which can be hijacked by miscreants and result in humongous damages, ECWA as a denomination wishes to inform the general public that we are not part of the planned protest, and we are calling on our members to disregard the action in totality, and not to participate in any way.
“The Church wishes to assure members that ECWA leadership is doing everything possible in advising government at the Local, State and Federal levels to take proactive measures in addressing the plight and suffering of citizens in the shortest possible time”
[DailyTrust]
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has warned the Federal Government against any attempt to arrest the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Gregory Obi, on the alleged sponsorship of the planned nationwide protests by some aggrieved Nigerians.
The ex-SGF, who was one of the strongest supporters and pillars of Obi in the 2023 presidential election, warned that the consequences of arresting Obi would be too severe for the Federal Government to handle.
Babachir Lawal, speaking with newsmen on the issue, debunked the allegations by President Tinubu’s media aide, Bayo Onanuga, that the nationwide protest tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria was being sponsored by Obi and the Obidient Movement.
He also warned the government not to use force against the protesters, saying doing so may be a “catalyst for chaos”.
“Bola Tinubu should not use a forceful approach with the protesters. They mean well for the country. If they go out to protest and there is an attempt to forcefully stop them, that will be the catalyst for chaos.”
“Tinubu should remove Bayo Onanuga from his position because he doesn’t mean well for his government. His outbursts are inflaming Nigerians rather than pacifying them. When you are in government, you don’t insult the people.”
“I don’t know if Onanuga was the spokesman of the Motor Park Touts Association before he got his current appointment. They said he is educated, but it doesn’t show in his behavior. He has an in-built disdain for people, and it shows in the way he talks.”
“I don’t expect a presidential spokesman to come out and say the planned protest is being organized by Peter Obi. If Obi had the character that Onanuga is ascribing to him, this government would have been down a long time ago.”
“How can you say Obi has anything to do with the protest? Even to complain, Obi will not let you accompany him.”
“It is one of the reasons why some of us just kept away from him. When you insult him, he will not reply. He will just go about doing his own business.”
“Let them arrest him if that is their plan and see the consequences. I know that is what Onanuga is working towards. Anyone asking Tinubu to arrest Peter Obi doesn’t mean well for him. It is like they took cyanide with their own hands and swallowed it.”
“I really don’t know what Onanuga’s problem with Igbos is. Igbos are good people. They are our classmates from primary, secondary schools to university. They are our business partners; they are our neighbors.”
“We buy things from them. An Igbo man in my village is the one selling local gin (ogogoro). He left his village and settled down in my village. He is married and has farmlands.”
“Tinubu is a good man, but he is surrounded by sycophants like Onanuga who will not tell him the truth.”
[DailyPost]
More...
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) said intelligence has revealed that some “unscrupulous elements are bent on hijacking the planned protest for violent purposes.”
It saud “unscrupulous elements”have targeted to attack persons with things as basic as a smartphone, car, house, shop, or even use air conditioners in their houses.
The Director Defence Media Operations, Maj-Gen Edward Buba, stated this at a briefing on Thursday.
The DHQ said other places targeted are places of worship, businesses, markets, persons of other ethnic groups and members of opposing political parties.
It said: “Pertaining to the planned nationwide protest, there are essentially several factors to be thoroughly examined. Some of which are whether or not the planned protests is motivated by opposition politics, independent parties, sovereign interference, terrorist groups or any numbers of organizations that have fed on the frustrations of Nigerians to create the situation.
“However, for us in the military, the constitution is clear as to how and when the military gets involved. The constitution also clearly defines the roles and functions of the armed forces. On the other hand, while citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful protest, they do not have a right to mobilize for anarchy in order to unleash terror.
“The contemporary context of the planned protest is to shadow happenings in Kenya which has so far been violent and unresolved to date. Given the situation, there are already indicators that unscrupulous elements are bent on hijacking the planned protest for violent purposes.
“ For instance, there are signs of status related violence such that persons with things as basic as a smart phone and car are targets. This does not leave out those that own a house, shop, or even use air conditioners in their houses. Other targets includes; places of worship, businesses, markets, persons of other ethnic groups and members of opposing political parties among others.
“Based on the foregoing, the level of violence envisaged is best described as a state of anarchy. It is for this reason the armed forces will not watch and allow the nation spiral out of control to such low levels.
“Basically, the military has been exposed to wars and has witnessed situations of anarchy in countries ravaged by war, particularly during ECOMOG or during peacekeeping operations. It is for this reason that troops will act dutifully to forestall such ugly occurrences from happening in our nation.”
The military high said it has put troops on red alert and vowed to resist attempts by any group to through the country into anarchy.
It said the timing and the atmosphere of hardship in the country make the planned protest different from others in the past.
“ It is therefore incumbent upon us all, to quench the fires of violence rather than ignite them.”
It is time to let cool heads prevail in order for the government to further remedy the situation and make our nation flourish again,” the DHQ said.
[TheNation]
Trump Shooter Searched Online For Info On John F. Kennedy Assassination A Week Before Rally - FBI Says
AFOLABI
During a House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray disclosed that the gunman who attempted to assassinate former President Donald Trump at a Pennsylvania rally on July 13 had performed a troubling Google search about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy just one week before the shooting.
The FBI said it was still working to determine the motive behind 20-year-old Thomas Crooks' actions, which resulted in the death of one attendee and injuries to Trump and two others, CBS News reports.
Despite gaining access to Crooks' electronic devices, including his cellphone, investigators have yet to uncover any significant information regarding his motive or ideology.
Wray's testimony highlighted the complexity of the case, as authorities strive to understand the reasoning behind Crooks' violent actions. The investigation remains ongoing, with the FBI exploring all possible leads to shed light on this disturbing incident.
A chilling discovery was made on a laptop linked to Crooks. A search history revealed a disturbing query made on July 6, exactly one week before the Pennsylvania rally: "how far away was Oswald from Kennedy?"
This eerie search suggests Crooks may have been drawing inspiration from the infamous assassination of President John F. Kennedy by Lee Harvey Oswald in 1963.
Oswald fatally shot Kennedy from a sixth-floor perch at the Texas Schoolbook Depository in Dallas, with the Warren Commission later determining the distance between the two to be approximately 265.3 feet at the time of the deadly shot.
This striking search term stands out as a significant finding in the investigation, potentially offering a glimpse into Crooks' motivations or mindset leading up to the attack. As authorities continue to probe the circumstances surrounding the shooting, this haunting query raises more questions about the influences and intentions behind Crooks' actions.
Crooks fired shots from a rooftop approximately 400 feet away from the target.
The gunfire struck Trump in the ear and injured rally attendees.
According to FBI Director Christopher Wray's testimony at Wednesday's hearing, Crooks wielded an AR-style rifle and left behind a trail of evidence, including eight spent bullet cartridges found on the roof.
The Muslim Rights Concern has called for the ban of the yet-to-be-released movie where popular actress Nancy Isime and other actresses wore purdah, an Islamic full covering popularly called the Niqab, and brandished dangerous weapons.
The group described the movie as ‘satanic’, adding that it depicts Muslim women as criminals and incites the public against them.
The call was made in a statement signed by the Executive Director, MURIC, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Thursday.
The statement read, “An extremely anti-Muslim film has been released into the Nigerian movie industry. The upcoming film, which was recently unveiled by Nancy Isime, shows women in purdah brandishing dangerous weapons and robbing banks. It is Islamophobia taken to the highest level. This film is satanic, repugnant, and provocative.
“It is aimed at portraying Muslim women as criminals with a violent proclivity. The film is capable of inciting the public against Muslim women. It may also expose Muslims in general to public ridicule and opprobrium.
“We believe that the film is the handiwork of Muslim-haters and part of the plot to stop Muslim women from wearing hijab and niqab. The plot was hatched a long time ago, and its execution began in the schools. This plot was boldly and diligently confronted in Nigerian courts by Muslims until the highest court in the land made a pronouncement on it. This Satanic film is the latest effort in the war against hijab.
Akintola maintained that the film is capable of setting Nigeria on fire if urgent action is not taken by the relevant authorities while urging the National Film and Video Censors Board to investigate and place an immediate ban on the coming film.
“To Nigerian Muslims who have inundated our communication channels with video clips, voice notes, and other types of messages, we have this to say: please remain calm and peaceful. You have spoken loud and clear.
“We have received your messages and action is being taken right now. Our religion brought a message of hope and peace to the world. We will not allow anyone to paint our women, our mothers, our wives, our daughters and sisters in the colours of Shaytan. Be good ambassadors of Islam. Don’t take the law into your hands. Allow the authorities to take necessary action,” he added.
Recall that Isime had sparked outrage among the Muslim community in the country after unveiling a movie poster that features women wearing hijab and face veils holding guns in a bank robbery scene.
They have threatened to file a complaint with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, seeking action against the account responsible for sharing what they described as “Islamophobic content”.
Reacting, one Latifat Adewunmi Jumah, with a Facebook page named Laj Fingers, expressed her dissatisfaction over the offensive posts, saying, “The niqab/hijab is not an armed robbery attire! The niqab/hijab is not an attire for concealing identity.
She queried the actress, saying, “If you needed to conceal your identity for a perfect robbery role, you could have used a nose mask or worn a mask. Why wear Islamic attire?”
“I find this offensive. Something needs to be done to stop this people. Niqab/Hijab is not a costume, neither is it a joke,” she added.
Another Facebook user, who identified as Alfa Shehu, commented, “And one of our brothers from Ilorin is kuku in the movie with them. Hypocrites! It is these same people who will turn around tomorrow and say women in Niqab are doing this and doing that. Awon alarun opolo gbogbo. Anything for clouts and monetisation.”
[Punch]
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed Thursday to crush anybody who tries to divide Russian society as he hailed the effectiveness and unwavering loyalty of his country’s powerful law enforcement agencies.
Putin has escalated a decades-long crackdown on civil society, independent media and opposition amid his military offensive in Ukraine, with dissent and criticism of the Kremlin outlawed and punishable by years-long prison sentences.
“Those who try to intimidate people, to split our society, to play on religious or national feelings will never succeed,” Putin said in a video message posted by the Kremlin.
“Inevitable and just retribution awaits them,” he added.
Russia regularly uses such language to describe those who oppose the Kremlin, including domestic critics who Moscow paints as being Western spies or puppets.
Putin was marking Russia’s “Investigation Officers’ Day” and paid tribute to various Russian law enforcement agencies, including the Investigative Committee and the FSB security services, the successor to the Soviet-era KGB.
“Investigators show unconditional loyalty to the Fatherland and our people,” Putin said.
Critics of the Kremlin say Russia’s focus on investigating and prosecuting its domestic political opponents and rivals have left it blind to genuine security threats.
In March, armed gunmen killed more than 140 at a Moscow concert hall in the country’s most deadly terror attack in almost two decades.
The incident came just days after warnings from Western intelligence agencies that Putin publicly rejected as “blackmail” and an attempt to “destabilise our society”.
The Islamic State group claimed responsibility, but Putin and other officials tried to link the massacre to Ukraine, without providing any evidence.
Almost all of Putin’s main opponents are in jail or have fled into exile.
Having stamped out dissent and passed strict military censorship laws that make criticism of the military illegal, Putin has repeatedly claimed Russian society is united behind his offensive on Ukraine.
AFP