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A notorious figure associated with terrorism activities, Bello Turji, has accused both the current Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, and his predecessor, Bello Matawalle, now the Minister of State for Defence, of politicizing the state’s insecurity issues.
Turji, who is believed to have fled Zamfara following intensified military actions against terrorist groups, shared these accusations in a newly released video.
In the video, Turji, seated on a brand-new motorcycle and armed, sets conditions for restoring peace in Zamfara. He demanded that security forces and vigilante groups cease their attacks and killings of Fulanis in the state and other areas.
He asserts that the actions of these local security entities exacerbate the ongoing conflict and violence.
Turji also criticized the ongoing blame game between Governor Lawal and Matawalle, labelling it as political maneuvering that overlooks the welfare of the local people.
According to Turji, both leaders are not acting in the best interests of their constituents, using the state’s security crisis to advance their political agendas.
Turji said, “Governor Dauda Lawal and Bello Matawalle labelling each other as terrorists (sponsors) will not help. I want the people of Zamfara to understand that they are just politicians without the interest of the people of Zamfara in their hearts.
“When (Mr) Matawalle was the governor who was sponsoring us? Similarly, when Abdulaziz Yari was the governor who was sponsoring us? Nobody is sponsoring us except God.”
He said the armed conflict in Zamfara predated both Messrs Dauda and Matawalle and was happening since the time of former governor Ahmed Yerima.
“It was during the administration of Yerima that the government sold out the grazing reserve and legalised the killing of the Fulanis. When Muhmud Shinkafi came on board, he tried unsuccessfully to address the problem. Abdulaziz Yari came and empowered the vigilante, but we are still struggling,” Turji said.
He said Mr Matawalle administered the state for four years, and Governor Dauda has been in office for just two years, but only God, not the governors, can stop the conflict.
“This is why we are calling on all of you to come and collaborate with us for peace to reign and stop the bloodbath in Zamfara. Gun and airstrike will not stop us because we are not afraid of death,” Mr Turji said.
Turji, who also confirmed the killing of Halilu Sububu, whom he described in the video as his master, said the killing only emboldened the younger generation among them to carry on with the deadly attacks on the people.
He added, “Kachallah Halilu Sububu is not the first person to be killed; several others were killed. The killing of Halilu Sububu will not deter us from doing what we are doing unless you stop killing our brothers in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Niger states.
“Your only plan is to exterminate the Fulani race while God has been protecting us. Even if you kill us, it’s God who ordained that to happen, but it’s not by your power.”
A former governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will take over power from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in 2027.
Ortom stated this during a courtesy visit from members of G14 at his Makurdi residence located at Judges Quarters along Gboko Road.
He charged the group to work harder to ensure that the party in the state bounced back stronger.
The former governor appealed to the members to put behind them the crisis that denied the party victory in the 2023 election in the state.
The G14 comprises elders of the PDP from the 14 local government areas of Tiv extraction.
Receiving the group at his residence on Tuesday, Ortom, who has assumed the role of co-chairman of the group, said that no one has the power to disband the group.
Ortom said, “As the leader of the party in the state, I will continue to support the group, and let me emphasise that no one has a right to disband this group.
“I encourage you to work and be conscience of the party. Let us put behind us the past grievances. This is the time you have to work harder than before and bring back some of those who want to join us.
“I know that many people are yearning to return to the party, let us begin a new journey, and with God’s on our side, we will get the power back to our party in 2027.”
‘I’ve Been Sexually Hurt, Hold My Husband Responsible If Anything Happens’ – Reality TV Star, Karen Igho
AFOLABI
Winner of the 2011 Big Brother Africa, Karen Igho and her husband, Yaroslav Rakos, are going through a divorce.
The reality TV star made this known in a post via X on Tuesday.
Recalls that Karen and her husband dated for nine years before tying the knot in December 2014 in Jos, Plateau state.
In the social media post, Karen revealed that she had been sexually and physically hurt, stressing that her husband should be held responsible if anything happens to her.
Karen also said that Yaroslav is attempting to take their children with claims that she is mentally sick.
She wrote, “I’m going through a divorce with my husband, I have been homeless for a year and I have been hurt sexually and physically so if anything happens ask or hold the man who brought me to a country where and I know no one,he is trying to take children away by saying I’m mentally sick God Almighty bless Nigeria and Africa my heart pray for your daughter of the soil.
“I have been through so much this past year, please African pray for my children and In case you don’t hear from me again know that I have been killed, am not sick mentally and don’t do drugs.”
Super Eagles Goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali breaks silence on failed transfer to Saudi Arabia and Kaizer Chiefs
AFOLABI
Nigeria's first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali has broken his silence on rumours that linked him with a move to Saudi Arabian clubs and South African club Kaizer Chiefs.
Nwabali was linked with a move following his impressive displays for Chippa United and Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 28-year-old helped Nigeria finish second in Cote d’Ivoire and kept 11 clean sheets in all competitions for Chippa United last season.
Despite contact from numerous clubs, Nwabali signed a new three-year deal with the Chilli Boys last month.
“I wouldn’t say I was really affected by what happened after last season and after the AFCON because it’s football,” Nwabali told iDiski Times when asked about the rumours.
“Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t work but as a footballer, one thing is for sure that deals come and deals also crash.
“But one thing I know is that even with all this happening you don’t have to lose your value as a soccer player.
“With everything that happened, I even felt like I was going to leave the club but I’m still with the club so it doesn’t change anything.”
A police inspector, Mohammed Bulama, has been arrested for allegedly stabbing a resident, Abdulmalik Pompomari, to death in Damaturu, Yobe State.
The incident reportedly occurred at the CMC Area, Zango, Damaturu, on Sunday around 5:05 pm.
According to multiple sources, Inspector Bulama, who is attached to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 41 Division, demanded a N200 bribe from Pompomari. When Pompomari refused, Bulama allegedly attacked him with a knife, stabbing him in the neck and chest.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed the incident and stated that the Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed, has ordered an investigation into the case.
“The two were involved in a heated argument over a transaction, which escalated into a fight. Bulama stabbed Pompomari in the chest, and the suspect also sustained head injuries during the altercation,” Abdulkarim explained.
Inspector Bulama was arrested at the ‘C’ Division Police Headquarters, where he sought refuge after the incident. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation, and the suspect remains in custody pending internal disciplinary action and prosecution.
Starlink, a satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, has announced an increase in the prices for its monthly services in Nigeria.
The company announced in a statement on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the standard package (residential) monthly subscription was increased to N75,000, from N38,000 per month — an increase of 97.37 percent.
The cost of the Starlink hardware was increased from N440,000 to N590,000.
Starlink said the price of the mobile-regional roam unlimited is now N167,000 and the mobile-global roam service is N717,000.
The company blamed the increase on excessive levels of inflation.
Starlink said the increase will take effect immediately for new customers, while current users will start paying the new price from October 31, 2024.
“As a current customer, your monthly service price will increase in one month, beginning 31 October 2024. For new customers, the price increase is effective immediately,” the statement said.
On November 20, 2023, Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovations and digital economy, asked Musk to create a maintenance programme for Starlink in Nigeria.
Tijani made the request in a post on X, saying that providing a certified installer for Starlink devices and “hardware startups to produce repeater boxes locally” would go a long way in creating thousands of jobs in the country.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies has shown that he is confused.
Naija News reports that critics have condemned the president’s move to end fuel subsidy and float the naira which has led to a hike in the cost of living.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Sowunmi said Tinubu is confused about economic policies.
“I am so optimistic and I say it to people who ask me, ‘If Tinubu can’t figure out these things I wonder who can.’ I think that, one, he is confused,” he said
The PDP chieftain said, “I don’t understand what the CBN people are doing relative to the value of the currency. Are they telling me that by their imagination, by floating the currency, Nigeria’s currency will become toilet paper?”
“The price of petroleum has gone up from around N200 per litre since May 2023 to about N1,000 at the moment.
“Although the coming onstream of the Dangote Refinery is expected to cut the price, the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) pegged the cost of the commodity between N855 and N897 per litre.”
“What exactly constitutes the science and commerce of pricing petrol when you are refining in your country?
“I have been reading a lot of books on how we can work around this pricing and the research is still ongoing. When I am done with it, I will come out with what we can consider.”
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismissed reports that its officials attacked protesters at the Utako Market in Abuja today.
In a press statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the command labelled the reports as "false and misleading."
According to the statement, police operatives were deployed to the scene based on intelligence reports suggesting that some miscreants were attempting to use the protests as a cover to loot shops in the market. The officers’ actions, the command stressed, were proactive measures aimed at protecting traders and preventing criminal activities, not to disrupt lawful protests.
"As a responsible agency, we could not stand by and allow traders to be robbed of their hard-earned money and belongings without intervening," the statement read.
The police urged the public to disregard any misleading information and reassured citizens that their rights to peaceful protest are protected. The command also reiterated its commitment to maintaining public safety while ensuring the protection of lives and property during civil demonstrations.
This response follows reports circulating on social media, which claimed that the police had unjustly attacked peaceful protesters, sparking public concern.
SP Josephine Adeh further emphasized that the FCT Police Command remains focused on ensuring the safety of all residents and will continue to carry out its duties responsibly
Grammy-winning singer, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has been named the biggest Nigerian artiste of all time on Apple Music.
The streaming giant recently unveiled the top 10 most streamed Nigerian artists and songs in the history of the platform to celebrate Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day anniversary.
Burna Boy topped the list, followed by Wizkid, Davido, Rema and Asake.
Tems, Omah Lay, Fireboy DML, BNXN and Olamide complete the top 10.
Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ remix with Selena Gomez emerged as the most streamed Nigerian song of all time on Apple Music, followed by ‘Last Last’ by Burna Boy, and Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ featuring Tems.
Tems’ ‘Free Mind’ is number four on the list, Burna Boy’s ‘Ye’ is at number 5. ‘Location’ by Dave and Burna Boy, ‘Calm Down’ by Rema, ‘Rush’ by Ayra Starr, Burna Boy’s ‘On The Low’, and ‘Come Closer’ by Wizkid featuring Drake complete the list.
The platform also paid to Nigeria’s diversity by spotlighting nine Afrobeats stars: 2Baba (Jos), Omah (Lay Port Harcourt), Odumodublvck- (Abuja), Shallipopi (Benin City), Seyi Vibez (Lagos), Jeriq (Enugu), Bloody Civilian (Abuja), and Qing Madi (Benin City).
Ahead of the planned October 1 nationwide protest, a coalition of Nigerian movements, under the aegis of the Nigeria Patriotic Front Movement (NPFM), Northern chapter, has alleged the arrest of five of its leaders in Kano State.
In a statement signed by Comrade Al-Amin on behalf of the Secretariat, the coalition identified those arrested as Comrade Abdulmajid Daudu, Barrister Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, Barrister Amina Bello, Comrade Sani NaRogo, Comrade Anas, and Comrade Abdullahi.
The coalition claimed that these comrades from the Kano NPFM chapter were taken by the police to Abuja under the instructions of the National Security Adviser (NSA).
“Comrade Abdulmajid Yakubu Daudu left his office this afternoon (Monday) at around 2:30 p.m. to attend a meeting with the Kano State Commissioner of Police at the Bompai Headquarters. He was accompanied by four other NPFM members. As of 7:42 p.m., Comrade Abdulmajid and his colleagues had not returned, and their whereabouts remain unknown.
“All efforts to reach them have proved abortive. “We urge comrades across the country to raise the alarm until Comrade Abdulmajid and his colleagues safely return home.
“No one in their right mind can take the sudden disappearance of Comrade Abdulmajid and his NPFM colleagues lightly. The growing state of political repression in the country makes it more urgent for the Kano State Commissioner of Police to produce Comrade Abdulmajid and his colleagues,” the statement read.
Comrade Abdulmajid and his colleagues had over the weekend addressed a press conference in Kano, announcing the commencement of a nationwide National Survival Day protest scheduled for October 1, 2024. The central concerns of the protest include the cost-of-living crisis and endemic bad governance in the country.
Among the demands raised by Comrade Abdulmajid are the following: addressing the overpriced fuel pump rate, food inflation, high cost of governance, grand corruption, persistent insecurity, and the re-nationalization of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) and electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), among others
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#FearlessInOctober Protest: Police Show Solidarity By Distributing Water To Lagos Protesters (Video)
AFOLABI
Protesters at the #FearlessInOctober protest in Lagos were met with an unexpected gesture as police officers distributed water on Tuesday.
A video shared by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on X.com, captured the moment officers distributed packs of bottled water to the protesters.
Naija News reports that the protesters had gathered at the Ikeja Underbridge in Lagos to voice their grievances over the hardships caused by various government policies as the country marked its 2024 Independence Day.
Meanwhile, one of the leaders of the #FearlessInOctober protest, Omoyele Sowore, has identified some of the demands of the protesters and what they are demanding from the federal government.
Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday during the protest in Lagos, Sowore said they want the government to release all the detained protesters from the #EndBadGovernance protests two months ago, and that of the #EndSars protest in 2020.
He added that they want the detainees released before the day (Tuesday) ends.
He said if, by the end of the day, their demands are not met, the next line of action would be unveiled.
“We are asking the Federal Government to release every detained protester whether in Kaduna, Abuja, Katsina or Kano. The Federal Government should release them today.
“If by the end of today, the FG did not release the EndBadGovernance protesters and EndSars people..some of end SARS people in 2020. We will tell you the next line of action,” he said.
The human rights activist cum politician also stated that the protesters are struggling for a new independence.
According to him, the 1960 independence obtained from colonial masters is different. Sowore explained that what they are fighting for now is the independence of the citizens from the clutches of the ruling class, who have turned into corrupt cabals and looters.
“Those who have made life miserable for our people deliberately, the looters, the corrupt cabals, both in the oil sector or whatever sector they may be.
“Our independence starts now, because the independence we got in 1960, they struggled for it, we are struggling for a new independence and it is part of the continuation of what we started in 2019 with Revolution Now because we believe that only revolution can save this country,” he said when asked by newsmen the reasons for the fresh protest.
See video below:
Media
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, has said the administration of Former President Muhammadu Buhari did nothing in his eight years of administration.
Morka said what Buhari administration did in his eight years administration was to clean up the mess caused by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) administrations.
He stated this on Monday in an interview with Channels TV. He argued that the PDP governments from 1999 did too bad in governance which needed cleaning.
“The Buhari administration did nothing in eight years but to clean and mop up the mess made by the PDP.
“What Nigerians don’t realise is that the PDP government created and operated a phantom economy where billions and billions of dollars and naira were awarded and thrown around for national projects that were never done as such. All of that money was simply rolled out into private pockets,” Morka said.
The APC spokesman added that the PDP administrations created generational hardship for the country “and that generation, the owners and the perpetrators of the heinous, abominable crimes against this country were manufactured, constructed, and delivered by the PDP in 16 years.”
“So, Buhari was simply an intervenor government that simply came to hold place and hold Nigeria away from the precipice,” Morka stated.
Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has again refuted claims of embezzling the state funds during his eight-year tenure.
Naija News recalls that the Kaduna State House of Assembly indicted El-Rufia’s administration for misappropriating over N423 billion.
The former governor and his allies have denied these allegations, claiming they are being witch-hunted by the Assembly and the state government.
While featuring on the Hausa program aired on Freedom Radio station in Kaduna on Tuesday morning, El-Rufai said he joined politics solely to serve the people, not to seek money or steal public funds.
He emphasized that he was content with what he had before becoming governor, yet was accused of financial misappropriation without any specific area.
El-Rufai stated that he was prepared to swear with the Quran whenever former state governors and current leaders swore that they never misappropriated public funds.
The ex-governor also noted that after his studies, he will return to politics by 2027 because there is no retirement in politics like government work, “We will return and continue with politics, God willing.”
He added, “I was quiet to see how things would turn out, but for me, I always ask God to help me in whatever I do in life because, as a human being, I always try not to do anything wrong or betray the people’s trust.
“I always say that whenever the former governors of Kaduna State and other leaders decide to take an oath swearing with the Quran that they never took people’s money, I’m also ready to swear. This is because I know that I didn’t go into public service to steal or take people’s money. I joined politics only to serve the people of Kaduna State; I didn’t come to look for money, because I give glory to God that I’m content with what I had even before becoming governor. Yet, we were accused of misappropriation of funds during our tenure without being given a specific area where the money went missing or who took it.
“Yet they are going after my allies by inviting them to the ICPC and EFCC with the intention of tarnishing their names. As for me, I had already prayed two Raka’at on Friday night, leaving everything to God, seeking His judgment. This is why I’m not saying much about the issue.
“But it’s surprising and painful what is happening; such is life. What I would like to say here is that whatever evil plans, witch-hunts, and lies against us should continue because we have reported the issue to God, and God willing, we will get justice from Him.
“If you report something to God, you must desist from making comments. Although I have ordered my lawyers to sue in court against attempts to tarnish my name, that will continue. But presently, I’m doing fine by going about my normal activities such as reading and writing.
“You can still continue working for the people even after government, and that is what we are doing right now. We are still working alongside those who cherish serving the people, not those who enter politics or governance to siphon public funds to add to their wealth. That is not our intention. God knows that, and the people with positive minds know that too. May God bring development to our people.”
The Shepherd Superintendent of the Household of God Church, Lagos, Rev Chris Okotie, has urged Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation's 64th Independence Anniversary to reinforce their faith in God's sure promises.
In a press release circulated in Lagos yesterday by Rev Okotie's media adviser, Ladi Ayodeji, the cleric, who quoted profusely from the Bible in his main text on the story of Abraham, urged Nigerians to be hopeful always for better days as God does not abandon his people.
Below is the summary of his goodwill message:
"These are perilous times.
"Our faith in God must become the Gyrostat which keeps us afloat as we navigate the tempestuous waters of our convoluted reality. Nigeria is a client Nation for God. Nigeria has a prophetic destiny.
Therefore the sovereign superintendence of Almighty God is assured.
"Nigeria is strong. Nigeria will survive.
So Hope on. Hope ever.
Hope on. Hope ever!"
Rev Okotie has always said that Nigeria enjoys a special bond with God, and the country's trajectory should not bother the Nigerian people.