A 38-year-old man identified as Shafi’u Abubakar on Wednesday set ablaze a mosque while worshippers were praying in Gezawa area of Kano State.

Information gathered revealed that Abubakar locked up the mosque, splashed petrol, and set the mosque ablaze when the worshippers were performing the early morning prayers, Subhi prayers, in the mosque.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson of the Kano State Police Command, SP Abdullahi Haruna, said it has arrested the principal suspect behind the incident, adding that no death has been recorded so far.

SP Haruna explained that the suspect said he carried out the action to take vengeance on persons who cheated him during the sharing of inheritance.

He, however, said the scene of the incident has been cordoned off, and twenty-four (24) victims, including 20 male adults and 4 male children, were removed and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, where they are currently receiving treatment.

According to him, “Today, 15/05/2024 at about 0520hrs, reports were received that, there was an explosion at a mosque in Gadan Village, Gezawa LGA, Kano State, during “Subhi Prayer,” and that some people got injured.

“On receipt of the report, the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Mohammed Usaini Gumel, immediately deployed the command’s combined teams consisting of experts in Explosive Ordnance Disposal Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) led by CSP Haruna Isma’il and other Crime-Scene Policemen led by Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Gezawa Division, CSP Haruna Iliya.

“The scene was cordoned off, and twenty-four (24) victims, including 20 Male Adults and 4 Male Children were removed and rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, where they are currently receiving treatment.

“Forensic analysis at this preliminary stage revealed a suspected petrol explosion, of which full investigation ongoing.

“The principal suspect have been identified and arrested; he is Shafi’u Abubakar, aged 38, who said his action was purely in hostility following prolong family disagreement over sharing of inheritance, of which those that he alleged to have cheated on him were in the mosque at that moment, and he did that for his voice to be heard.

“While the suspect is currently in police custody, detail investigation is ongoing and will be made public in due course,” SP Haruna stated.

A Nigerian popular online tutor, Mr Alex Onyia, has revealed that a foreign hospital removed 16 bullets from his friend, Kene Nnadi, who was shot in Nigeria, adding that he narrowly escaped death.

Onyia, who is the Chief Executive Officer of Educare, an online learning platform, said Nnadi was rejected by Nigerian hospitals before he was flown abroad.

He added that there are three more bullets still in his body to be removed.

Onyia, known for sponsoring the tutorials of some candidates of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), posted the news via his X handle on Tuesday.

He tweeted using the handle #winexviv, stating that some assailants wanted to kill his friend but he survived.

“16 extra bullets removed from his body and three remaining. They wanted to kill my friend Kene but God said no. All hospitals rejected him and asked for a police report before treating him,” Onyia wrote.

“We managed to get one that attended to him until we flew him to London. Today, we thank God,” he added.

The news has got Nigerians talking on social media as some concluded that Nnadi would not have survived if he was treated in the country.

Some blamed the undisclosed hospitals that refused to treat him despite the directive of the Inspector-General of Police that no person should be rejected by any hospital to be treated for gunshot.

The IGP said this was in line with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.

Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through the Department of Development Control has served 24-hour demolition notices to operators of illegal market shanties in the Karmo and Dei Dei Road corridor. The exercise will affect 500 structures that have been marked for demolition.

The sector monitor and assistant director in the department, Mr Garba Jibril, who led the exercise yesterday, said the affected owners had been served with several notices and that the director of development control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, had held a sensitisation meeting with the stakeholders.

He explained that demolishing the illegal structures was necessary because they constituted a nuisance on the road in addition to heavy traffic, especially on their market days, and that their activities were equally emitting environmental hazards, which the FCT administration frowns at.

The team leader also disclosed that the FCTA had awarded a contract for the Life Camp – Dei-Dei Road construction, saying that the traders’ continuous stay on the road corridor prevented the contractors from moving to the site.

According to him, the 24-hour notice is not to be played with and those who refused to comply will have themselves to blame.

He also said that the traders had been asked to move to the designated market called Karmo Market, adding that the market was fully developed and equipped with necessary facilities.

“But the traders have been reluctant to move. We have had several meetings with the relevant stakeholders including traditional leaders in the area to get them to move but they remained adamant.

“We equally held a meeting with the traders and the new market operators, who promised to give the traders some incentives to accommodate them in the informal and main shops.

“We are hoping that after the demolition, there will be a successful relocation from the road corridor to the main market. This will not only maintain a serene environment but also ensure free flow of traffic in the area,” he said.

The federal government has unveiled a strategic plan to harness the N20 trillion pension fund and other locally available resources for infrastructure development in Nigeria.

Wale Edun, coordinating minister for the economy and minister of finance, disclosed this at the end of the federal executive council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.

Edun said the government is focused on tapping into domestic financial resources, particularly pension and life insurance funds, to leverage local funds for national growth.

He added that it was a significant step towards driving economic progress and addressing critical infrastructure needs.

According to Edun, with over N20 trillion available funds within the country, there is a clear opportunity to channel these resources into vital sectors such as housing and long-term mortgage provision.

The minister said the move is part of the government’s efforts to bridge Nigeria’s estimated 20 million housing deficits and to provide massive housing and mortgage loans at 12 percent interest rates, with 25-year repayment plans.

“And the fact is that even before we start looking to foreign investors, we start looking to foreign funding, there is available in Nigeria, long term funds to fund infrastructure projects, and it’s within the pension, the life insurance and investment fund industry generally,” he said.

“There is upwards of N20 trillion available, and much of it is in short-term funding that doesn’t need to be. Pension money is long-term.

“People save over their lifetime for their pension. And so in conversation, in consultation, collaboration and cooperation with the private sector, we are now able to announce and with the full knowledge and support of all parties, that there will be an initiative to fund growth through investment in infrastructure, including housing, provision of mortgages, long term mortgages, 25-year mortgages at relatively low interest rates.

“Initially, of course, the government will stand back and provide some support, particularly in this era of high interest rates but eventually as interest rates come down, there should be less role for the government through providing, for example, guarantees and so forth.

“So, we can look forward to these huge funds being leveraged with the expertise, the ability, the capacity of the private sector, partnering with the government to drive economic growth.

“On the supply side, construction of houses will be funded. On the demand side, mortgages will be made available so that those constructing houses have an outlet and Nigerians who are saving so much by way of pension funds, have the added bonus of access to affordable mortgages.

“That really is the long and short of this initiative and you also as much as anybody else can understand and see what it means in the construction industry to do for the country. 

“That is the plan, that is the target that is the hope. And in this particular case, you have the best and the brightest that Nigeria has to offer, putting their minds together and committing to achieve their goals.”

TINUBU’S REFORMS ARE NECESSARY AND YIELDING RESULTS

Edun said Tinubu’s macroeconomic reforms are necessary and could not be delayed a moment longer.

According to the minister, the reforms are beginning to yield the desired results. 

“They were already delayed. Those reforms which are still in process, and which are beginning to give benefits in various areas, particularly in terms of trying to stabilise the economy, the exchange rate, bring inflation down, and eventually get interest rates down,” he said.

“But on the other hand, Mr. President has been consistent and he has also been commended, I must say, both around the world for for the fact that he is committed to intervening on behalf of the poor and the vulnerable in order to ease the pains of this necessary reform. But at the same time, given where we are in terms of stabilisation, it is time to focus on economic growth. 

“And one of the key drivers of economic growth is investment in infrastructure, in housing, power, rail, roads, water transport, even technology. These are key drivers of economic growth.

“They increase product. When you invest in them, you get increased productivity, you get economic growth, and you get job creation, which reduces poverty, and that is the strategy. 

“So, it’s two-pronged and we are not pivoting towards this all-important growth and you say where will the resources come from?”

The minister said the president approved the purchase of compressed natural gas (CNG) powered vehicles for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Edun also said about 600 CNG-powered buses and about 30,000 conversion kits will soon be made available to reduce transportation costs.

Mahmud Albarnawy, the eldest son of the founder of the Islamic States of West African Province (ISWAP), has reportedly surrendered to operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Borno.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said Mahmud surrendered to the security operatives on May 12.

Intelligent sources told Makama that 22-year-old Mahmud was confirmed to be the son of Maman Nur, founder of the ISWAP, after he was profiled at the NSCDC headquarters in Maiduguri, Borno capital.

The publication said an uncle of Mahmud in Gamboru Ngala encouraged him to surrender after he received information about his readiness to abandon the group.

“A reliable agent was sent to convey him to Maiduguri. They arrived in Maiduguri on May 11 at about 1 pm,” the publication said.

“Mahmud was later debriefed and profiled by an intelligence officer of the command, where he confessed to having sneaked out of the Ali Ngulde camp in Mandara Mountain, Gwoza LGA, into Maiduguri and stayed for about a month at Gwange in the city capital before relocating to Gamboru Ngala without any alarm or distress signs from communities.

“During his stay in Gamboru Ngala, some of his late father’s loyalists were persuading him to return to the Lake Chad general area to pay allegiance to ISWAP, but he refused, citing the betrayal and eventual execution of his late father.”

Makama said Mahmud confessed to having been involved in attacks launched at Bama, Banki, Gwoza, and many other areas in Borno.

The publication said the terrorist who surrendered used to work as a middle-rank fighter under the Boko Haram group.

The publication added that he had been handed over to the Bulunkutu rehabilitation facility for further documentation and custody.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, has reacted to a video of a woman giving her baby alcohol to drink.

He stated that the police would fish out the nursing mum committing the evil act.

The disturbing video showed the woman who spoke in Yoruba, hailing her baby girl as she gulped the alcohol.

Reacting to the video, Adejobi wrote;

‘’Another assignment for us. This is too bad. We will fish her out. Thanks. @PoliceNG''

See Video Below;

Advocates For ‘Afro-Democracy’ As Alternative To Western System”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said African countries including Nigeria made a mistake by adopting the western liberal democracy. 

Mr Obasanjo stated this on Monday when members of the House of Representatives championing the reintroduction of the parliamentary system of government in the country, met with him in Abuja. 

The lawmakers, under the aegis of the “Parliamentary Group” led by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), met with Mr Obasanjo at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in the federal capital.

The meeting was part of their advocacy visits to prominent Nigerians to solicit their support for the transitioning of the country from the current presidential system of government to the parliamentary system.

Coincidentally, Mr Obasanjo, Nigeria’s military head of state from 1976-1979, midwifed the 1979 Constitution that produced the American presidential system which replaced the parliamentary system practised in the first republic.

He was subsequently elected president in 1999 after the return of democracy and was in office for eight years.

Speaking on the state of democracy in Africa, Mr Obasanjo said countries in the continent made the mistake of adopting the western liberal democracy prescribed by the Europeans, stating that the Western liberal democracy is not consistent with the African value system. 

“Let me go back to the beginning where we got it wrong—the western liberal democracy, that is what the Europeans have. When you look at the western liberal democracy, it is a product of their history, a product of their culture, a product of their way of life.

“I have looked into most African languages, western democracy has what they call loyal opposition. What is opposition in African languages? Enemy. Western democracies called oppositions “loyal” because the oppositions are loyal to the monarchy. That’s where their loyal democracy began. They used to have monarchies.

“There is nothing in the liberal democracy that is African. We ruled ourselves before the advent of colonialism. We had empires and striving kingdoms. We did not rule ourselves as opposition.

“What is in it for us? I don’t know but you can give it. For lack of an appropriate word, let us call it ‘afro-democracy.’ That is where we have to begin,” Mr Obasanjo said.

On the proposal by the lawmakers, Mr Obasanjo said the legislators are preaching to a convert, stating that he agreed that there is a need for a fundamental shift from the current system.

He, however, warned the lawmakers that they need to have a long-term plan and be tactical in presenting a position. 

The former president counselled the lawmakers to drop the tag “parliamentary system”, and should instead push for a homegrown democracy.

“You are preaching to the converted but as I have said, take parliamentary away.

“We need to get the critical masses. Parliamentary and all that—once you start that, you have gotten it wrong. Once you do that, you are putting yourself in a fix because there are those who would say “We don’t want parliamentary,” he said.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Mr Chinda said the use of the word “parliamentary” is due to a lack of a suitable word.

He said the system proposed by the lawmakers is “homegrown” and not the textbook definition of the parliamentary system.

Also speaking project, the spokesperson of the group, Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), said the group is organising a national dialogue on the project.

According to the lawmaker, the dialogue is scheduled for 1 July.

The push by the lawmakers, known as the Parliamentary Group, pushing for the transition to a parliamentary system of government. 

Nigeria operated under the parliamentary system pre-independence and in the First Republic. However, the coup of 15 January 1966 truncated that republic.

The military suspended the civil government and ruled the country until the transition to democracy in 1979. The Second Republic was built on the 1979 Constitution which prescribed the presidential system.

The proposal by the lawmakers is seeking to revert to the First Republic system with a prime minister, a member of parliament, serving as the head of government, similar to the British system.

In a parliamentary system, the executive branch derives its legitimacy and authority from the legislative branch. The head of government (often the prime minister) is typically a member of the legislature and is accountable to it. This system fosters a close relationship between the executive and legislative branches, allowing for efficient decision-making and policy implementation.

The lawmakers have already sponsored some constitution alteration bills to make the changes in the constitution. However, the timeline for the change is beyond this current Assembly. They have set a target of 2031 as the timeline for achieving the goal.

In the past couple of months, the lawmakers have been moving around the country meeting politicians who served in the Second and Third Republics. 

They have met with the Chairman of Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Ango Abdullahi, the Interim National Chairman of APC, Bisi Akande, Sanusi Dantata and others.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, on Tuesday, vowed that the 10th Assembly will ensure that those behind the blackmailing over the $140 million bribery scandal are brought to book.

Speaker Abbas issued the threat notice during the press briefing in Abuja held at the instance of the House Committee on Financial Crimes chaired by Hon. Ginger Obinna, who made public the 3-page Committee’s “report into the Binance Holdings Limited’s illegal operations in Nigeria and recommendations,” dated May 13th, 2024. 

The Speaker, who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Monitoring, Evaluation and Implementation of the Legislative Agenda, Hon. Patrick Umoh, reiterated his stance to protect the integrity of the House, just as he assured Hon. Obinna of the House’s resolve to ensure that he comes out clean. 

He said: “We are here on the mandate of the honourable speaker to one, monitor proceedings and protect the image of the 10th House of Representatives. That’s why we are here Mr. Chairman.

“And we are part and parcel of what you are doing because we are all very interested in the credibility of the 10th House of Representatives and we also have to ensure that Nigerians know the truth.

“This is the people’s House and as far as I’m concerned, as far as 10th House of Representatives is concerned, anti-corruption is a core mandate of our committee when it comes to monitoring and evaluation of our agenda.

“It is with dismay that we have observed the trend where the 10th House of Representatives has been blackmailed by individuals, corporate organizations, some organizations who are themselves not known to law, coming to blackmail the Committee on anti-corruption. 

“So, the House notes with dismay, the House is worried, the House is uncomfortable that when negative news trends we should also be interested in what is the truth. We are here elected by the people of Nigeria to represent this country and to ensure that we make laws for the good governance of our country Nigeria.

“And the best, the only compliment that we should enjoy from Nigerians is that encouragement. So, Nigerians particularly members of the National Assembly should be interested when we hear of these blackmails, this trending news, the negative news, unprintable things said about the 10th House of Representatives.

“Mr. Chairman, we can vouch for your integrity, which is why you are appointed to chair the anti-corruption of financial crimes Committee of the House. So, be rest assured that we will stand by you and we would defend you because we know you. You have worked with us and we have worked with you to protect the collective integrity of the 10th House of Representatives.

“So, Mr. Chairman let us assure you as a committee that we are interested in this matter and we will ensure that you come out clean because we know you are clean, you are responsible.

“For all reliefs, decisions the Committee has taken we would partner with this Committee to ensure that those involved, those concerns pay for it. They will be brought to justice because liability has to be attached to every action, particularly negative action that is projected at bringing down the integrity of the 10th House of Representatives.”

Speaking earlier, Hon. Obinna, who denied the $140 million bribery allegation, challenged the promoters of the allegation to unveil the “unknown persons” who approached Binance employees and suggested to them to make a payment in settlement of the allegations.

He said: “Following formal communications between the Committee and Binance, 10th January 2024 was agreed upon by the parties as a convenient date for a Public Hearing on the matter. Subsequently and before the agreed date, Binance through their Counsel reached out to the Committee to request for a pre-hearing meeting to give them deeper insight into the allegations against them which will assist them in preparing for the Public Hearing. The Committee approved the request of the Binance team and scheduled the pre-hearing meeting for the 8th day of January 2024 at the National Assembly Complex.

“On the 8th day of January 2024, the Committee represented by three of its members and its Clerk led by Hon. (Chief) Peter Akpanke (Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency), met with a six-member team representing Binance. Detailed facts on the allegations against Binance as contained in the aforesaid.

“Petitions were made available to the Binance team to assist them in preparing for the Public Hearing scheduled for the 10th day of January 2024. The meeting was open, transparent and ended on a cordial note. No solicitation or demands of any type was made by representatives of the Committee to Binance at the meeting.”

According to him, “in order to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians and the general public with the view to draw away the attention of the world from its unlawful refusal to appear at a legitimate and Constitutional Parliamentary Public Hearing to answer to allegations of criminal and fraudulent activities, Binance belatedly came up with fabricated, false and malicious allegations of solicitations for bribes by the Committee. The allegations are totally false and unfounded.

“The Committee wishes to emphasize that all interactions with Binance were formal, open and transparent. The Committee never met with the Binance team outside the National Assembly nor did the Committee delegate any individual or entity to meet with the Binance Team on its behalf for any purpose.

“It should also be noted that the Committee formally communicated the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) to ascertain the tax liabilities of Binance. No amount in figures was conveyed to the Committee as per the extant tax default by Binance.

“Although Binance has refused neglected and/or failed to appear before the Public Hearing scheduled by the Committee, the Committee has proceeded with its investigations which have so far revealed prima facie incidents of unlawful infractions by Binance, among which are:

(a) Tax evasion having operated illegally in Nigeria, generating Billions of dollars in profits with zero tax remittance; (b) Providing a platform for money laundering activities and illegal transfer of funds to foreign shores; (c) Providing a platform for terrorism financing, enabling terrorists and enemies of the Nigerian State receive ransoms without trace thus facilitating purchase of sophisticated arms and weapons.

“(d) Adversely manipulating the Nigerian Forex space which led to a sharp spike in the price of foreign currencies against the Naira.

“(e) Operating outside the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).”

While dismissing the allegation, Hon. Obinna assured “all Nigerians of the integrity, transparency and competence of the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes which I have the privilege and honour to chair.

“We refuse to be diminished or deflated by the shenanigans of Binance and other enemies of Nigeria. The Committee will continue with its functions and assignments undeterred. We recognize that the blackmail by Binance is merely an attempt to distract and draw attention away from the serious allegations of criminality against it which is now compounded by its role in the security breach of the sovereign Nigerian State.

“It is notable that it was after it had unlawfully and criminally smuggled Mr Anjarwall out of lawful custody while its purported Head, Financial Crime Compliance (FCC), Mr Tigran Gambaryan had been remanded to pre-trial custody at Kuje Correctional Facility, Abuja on the lawful orders of a Nigerian Court, that Binance on 7 May 2024, belatedly made allegations of solicitation of bribes purportedly made by the Committee on 8 January 2024, after four months.

“The Committee will continue with its legitimate functions as indicated and will update the relevant authorities, the general public and the press as the need arises.”

The Federal Government has asked the organised Labour not to derail its transformation plan for the electricity sector.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had picketed offices of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies nationwide over the hike in electricity tariff.

The unions had described the upward review, demanding outright cancellation.

Addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Tuesday, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said labour had the right to protest.

“We cannot stop them from organizing peaceful protest or laying down their demands. Let me make that clear. President Bola Tinubu’s administration is also a listening government.”

“We have heard their demands, we’re going to look at it, we’ll make further engagements and I believe we’re going to reach a peaceful resolution with the labor because no government can succeed without the cooperation, collaboration and partnership with the Labour unions. So we welcome the peaceful protest and I’m happy that it was not a violent protest. They’ve made their positions known and government has taken in their demands and we’re looking at it.

“But one thing that I want to state here is from the statistics of those affected by the hike in tariff, the people on the road yesterday, who embarked on the peaceful protests, more than 95% of them are not affected by the increase in the tariff of electricity. They still enjoy almost 70% government subsidy in the tariff they pay because the average costs of generating, transmitting and distributing electricity is not less than N180 today.

“A lot of them are paying below N60 so they still enjoy government’s subsidy. So when they say we should reverse the recently increased tariff, sincerely it’s not affecting them. That’s one position.

“My appeal again is that they should please not derail or distract our transformation plan for the industry. We have a clearly documented reform roadmap to take us to our desired destination, where we’re going to have reliable, functional, cost-effective and affordable electricity in Nigeria. It cannot be achieved overnight because this is a decay of almost 60 years, which we are trying to correct.”

He said there was the need for sacrifice from everybody, “from the government’s side, from the people’s side, from the private sector side. So we must bear this sacrifice for us to have a permanent gain”.

“I don’t want us to go back to the situation we were in February and March, where we had very low generation. We all felt the impact of this whereby electricity supply was very low and every household, every company, every institution, felt it. From the little reform that we’ve embarked upon since the beginning of April, we have seen the impact that electricity has improved and it can only get better.”

The Labour Veterans and Trade Unionists Assembly has expressed outrage over the wages paid to workers in Borno State, revealing that many are receiving as little as N6,000 to N8,000 as minimum wage. 

Comrade Isa Tijani, National Interim Chairman of the Labour Veterans, condemned the situation in a statement on Tuesday. 

The Labour Veterans also condemned arbitrary deductions from workers’ salaries, warning that if the issue is not addressed, workers in other states might face similar exploitation. 

Tijani said, “It pains us to admit that, we now have it on clear record, that, in Borno state, workers in most of the local governments throughout the state, are presently being paid N6000 to N8000 only, as minimum wage. This is not only despicable, but an open case of inhuman slavery in the 21st century.

“We wish to call on the Governor to do the following: Ensure that all entitled workers are paid the prevailing agreed amount even before the new Minimum Wage comes into effect; Stop all forms of arbitrary deductions in the name of palliatives or purchase of cars to local Government Chairmen.

“Taking into cognizance the shameful act that is taking place in Borno state, we are afraid that workers in some states might be experiencing the same fate. Accordingly, it is of vital importance for the Labour Leaders and their members to successfully tackle the sticky and knotty issue of full wage agreements implementation across board, before the new National Minimum Wage regime comes into Law.”