The Enugu State Police Command has arrested 26 persons suspected to be involved in the cult clashes being recorded across the state.
The clashes, which are said to involve members of the Supreme Vikings and Black Axe Confraternities, had reportedly claimed no fewer than 14 lives in the last two weeks.
The command, in a statement on Thursday by its spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, said the state Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Ammani, has ordered Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and heads of Tactical Teams to use all the operational and intelligence resources at their disposal to further clamp down on the suspected criminals and bring them to justice.
Ndukwe said the 26 male suspects, whose ages range from 18 to 40, were arrested at different locations in the state by operatives of the command’s Anti-Cultism Squad.
According to him, the suspects, all linked to the crime, confessed to being members of the Supreme Vikings and Black Axe Confraternities that are respectively involved in the cult war.
The statement read, “Preliminary investigations revealed that some members of Black Axe confraternity, on March 29, 2023, around 10.30pm, conspired, shot and injured a member of Supreme Vikings confraternity in the arm at Emene, Enugu.
“On receipt of the information, members of Supreme Vikings confraternity, in solidarity with their murdered member, conspired and declared war against members of Black Axe confraternity, which has led to counter and counter murderous armed attacks between the secret cult groups in different parts of Enugu metropolis, Agbani and Nsukka areas of the state.
“The investigations further revealed that the attacks have led to the murder of a yet-to-be-ascertained number of individuals on different dates and times in the mentioned locations.
“The suspects were today, April 20, 2023, arraigned in court and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Custodial Centre while frantic operational and investigative efforts are on course to apprehend and bring other perpetrators of the act to book.”
[Punch]
A Federal High Court on Thursday admitted Chude Nnamdi, an ardent supporter of the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, bail in the sum of N10 million.
Nnamdi, who was arraigned before Justice Gladys Olotu, pleaded not guilty to a one-count charge of cyberstalking.
Justice Olotu also ordered Nnamdi to produce one surety, who must be a level 14 civil servant or a resident of the FCT with verified landed property.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the Inspector-General of Police, the complainant, had sued Nnamdi as a sole defendant in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/130/2023.
In the amended charge dated and filed on April 17, the police alleged that Nnamdi, on March 13 within the jurisdiction of the court did knowingly and intentionally send a message through a tweet from his Twitter handle “Chude” by means of computer system and network.
“That you know to be false for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to the person of Dr. Emeka Offor and thereby commit cyberstalking punishable under Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) ACT, 2015.”
The judge, who admitted Nnamdi to N10 million bail with a surety, directed that the surety must be deposed to an affidavit of means.
She adjourned the matter until May 17 for trial.
Nnamdi was arrested in Anambra and transported to Abuja by officers attached to the police cybercrime unit.
The police later said the matter was linked to a tweet by the social media influencer that allegedly cast Chief Offor, a billionaire businessman, in an odious light.
In the tweet, the defendant claimed that Offor had been engaged by the president-elect to beg Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, to accept the result of the Feb. 25 election.
The tweet read: “So @officialBAT called Emeka Offor to beg Peter Obi to accept the rigged result.
“If he is sure the people voted for APC and he won the election, why is he running around pleading with everyone to help beg Peter Obi to accept the result?”
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari, the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila amongst many others have congratulated Muslims across the country on the occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.
Buhari, in his Sallah message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, congratulated Muslims on successfully completing this demanding spiritual obligation.
He said: “We shouldn’t forget the important lessons of Ramadan which include improving our bond with the underprivileged and poor members of society.
“Abstention from food and drinks during the fasting period had made it possible for us to appreciate the situation of those who go without eating every day.”
The goodwill messages came as Muhammad Abubakar Sahad, president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSIA, yesterday, said the crescent to mark the end of Ramadan fasting had been sighted.
In a broadcast, Sahad, the Sultan of Sokoto, said his office received information on the sighting of the moon to end the end of the fasting, announcing that today Friday, April 21 is the Eid-el-Fitri celebration.
In his message, Preident-elect, Bola Tinubu said: “Beyond the self-abnegation and pious living that the fasting period imposed on us, the spiritual excercise we just concluded has also helped us to improve on our moral character, refine our minds in pursuit of higher ideals for which there should be no turning back.
“At the heart of our faith and a major demand on all faithful is the requirement to commit ourselves to wholesome living. This entails love for one another, love for fellow humans regardless of creed, region and ethnicity, love for our communities and love for country.
“To love one another, have compassion, empathy and love our beloved country means we must become better citizens in line with the teachings of Prophet Muhammed.
“We must constantly seek to become a better version of ourselves in patriotism, dedication to duty and honesty. We must also never be weary of doing what is right, fair and just to all.
“We are at the dawn of a Renewed Hope for a better, greater and a more prosperous Nigeria and I stand ready to walk with all Nigerians, young and old, male and female, with this opportunity to serve you in honour and dignity. This is a commitment that I have made and one in which we cannot afford to fail.”
Remain focused on peace, unity –Obi
Peter Obi in his message charged Nigerians in the spirit of Ramadan to remain focused on peace and rule of law in the country and refuse to be distracted.
Obi noted that the Holy Month of Ramadan was for all to practice restraint, decorum, and humility and enjoined all faithful to be fair and just in all dealings, help the needy and heal the ailing and promote mutual understanding and peace within communities.
These injunctions, Obi noted promote the values of universal social justice, world peace, and human progress.
The LP flag bearer said that Nigeria, the only nation we have as our own, is going through uncertainties relating to insecurity, deprivation, unemployment, and most recently, divisive flawed elections arising from the activities of fringe elements, who do not respect the rule of law and the wish of our people.
He noted that they have deployed impunity and exploited the weak national institutions to subvert the will of the people with many untoward activities directed at our people and nation.
But LP standard bearer said that in these “We remain in prayers that these challenges will be overcome without adverse shock to the polity, nation & national interest.”
Internalise Ramadan lesson- Gbajabiamila
In his goodwill message, Speaker, House of Representative, Femi Gbajabiamila noted that periods like this call for sober reflection and unity from all citizens irrespective of their religious beliefs.
The speaker said, “Nigeria is the only country we can call ours, hence the citizens, especially Muslims at this time, must work together and pray assiduously for continuous peaceful coexistence among the people.”
He noted that one of the lessons learnt during the holy month of Ramadan was that of compassion and care for the needy, urging Muslims to continue to be their brother’s keepers as enjoined by the Almighty Allah through the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Sustain values, tenets of Ramadan, Abiodun tells Muslims
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun in his congratulatory message charged Muslims on sustaining the values, morals and tenets they observed and imbibed in during the holy month Ramadan.
Abiodun, who conveyed this felicitations in a statement by Kunle Somorin, his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, noted that “though fasting is over, Muslims should strive to continue with the total devotion to the Almighty Allah, good deeds and constant remembrance as well as reverence for God”.
The governor pointed out that “as Ramadan symbolizes holiness, dedication to the worship of Allah and carrying out charity activities, Muslims in the state should stick to these pious activities, even as the holy month comes to an end”.
Adeola seeks prayers for Tinubu’s govt
Ogun West Senator-elect, Solomon Adeola in his goodwill message called on Muslims and other Nigerians to continue in their prayers for the success of the transition to a new administration in May and the incoming administration of Senator Bola Tinubu as well as other administrations at the state level and the 10th National Assembly.
He said: “We have many challenges facing the nation. From economic problems to insecurity and hazard of climate change, our nation must make serious effort to provide succor to its people. We should pray for Allah’s guidance for our incoming new leaders at all levels in fostering a renewed hope of better days and years ahead” he stated.
While acknowledging that the religion of Islam is a religion of peace and love of Allah and fellow human beings Senator Adeola urged Muslims to continue in all the pious and righteous ways associated with Ramadan.
Our collective freedom possible if…, NLC
Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in its Eid-Fitri message said collective freedom is possible only when citizens stand and work together and refuse to be divided by the preaching and pleadings to various primordial ties and vacuous sentiments.
President of NLC, Joe AJaero, said “As Ramadan comes to an end and the Moon is seen with all its excitement and anxieties heralding such occasions, Congress felicitates with all Nigerians especially workers who have borne the brunt of the continuous and unrelenting consequences of heartless and visionless governance in the country.
“We enjoin all Muslims to imbibe the spirit of this season and the virtues espoused by the great Prophet to build the nation of our dreams where there will be equality, justice, Peace and fair play. It is our responsibility as a people, especially as faithful who sit on the high moral ground to allow the expression of those same ideals enshrined in the holy book to not only drive our personal lives but to also propel our search for freedom for all people of Nigeria.
“As the Moon rises, may our freedom rise from the clutches of those who have held our nation down. As the moon is seen, may our light as a nation be seen and may we then begin to march on the path to greatness. These may not happen until we use the power that the almighty Allah has given to us in this season to pursue the dethronement of wickedness from our nation and the enthronement of liberty, honesty and integrity upon the land.
Let’s remember the poor, needy — Akpabio
Also, former Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs Ministry and Senator-Elect for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, Senator Godswill Akpabio, charged Muslim faithful in Nigeria and in the Diaspora to ensure that they continued with the lessons they learnt during the Ramadan fast, which are forgiveness, giving to the poor and the needy and peaceful coexistence with one another.
Akpabio, in his Ramadan message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Jackson Udom said: “Let me use this opportunity to congratulate all the Muslim Ummah on the successful completion of this year’s Ramadan. I pray that may all the requests placed before almighty Allah by our Muslim brothers and sisters during this period of fast and supplications be answered by almighty Allah.”
Saraki: Let’s Transfer Ramadan’s Values to Our Daily Lives
Former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Saraki, has urged Nigerian Muslims not to drop the values imbibed during the just-ended fasting period but to adopt them as part of their daily lives and in the performance of their duties and obligations as citizens.
Saraki in a statement from his Media Office in Abuja also congratulated Muslims across the world for the successful completion of the Ramadan fasting for the Hijra 1444 and noted that the values of self-denial, empathy with the less privileged, helping the weak, living a decent life, exhibiting discipline in the use of all the senses and devoting more time to supplications before the Almighty Allah.
[Vanguard]
Twitter began the mass removal of its blue ticks on Thursday, as the symbol previously used to signify a verified account vanished from users including the Pope, Donald Trump and Justin Bieber.
Owner Elon Musk, who has seen his $44 billion investment in the site shrivel, earlier pledged to get rid of what he described as a “lords & peasants system.”
He offered instead to sell the blue badge to anyone who would pay $8 a month, in a move he said last year would “democratize journalism & empower the voice of the people.”
Earlier dates set for the rollback of the ticks — predominately used by celebrities, journalists and politicians — have slipped by without noticeable action.
But on Thursday high-profile accounts, as well as those of many reporters at AFP and other news organizations, appeared to have had the checkmarks removed.
Politicians and official bodies also appeared to have been hit, with US Senator Brian Schatz objecting to the possible effect on public confidence in the event of disasters.
“There really ought to be a way for emergency managers to verify that they are real on this website or imposters will cause suffering and death,” he tweeted.
“I am not complaining about my own check mark, I just think during natural disasters it’s essential to know that FEMA is actually FEMA,” he wrote, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency that steps in after hurricanes and deadly storms.
Thursday’s removals follow spats between Twitter and various news organizations that have objected to labels appended to their accounts indicating they were “state affiliated” or “government funded.”
Sweden’s public radio Sveriges Radio said this week it would stop tweeting, following in the footsteps of US radio station NPR and Canadian broadcaster CBC.
Musk’s tumultuous ownership of Twitter has seen thousands of staff made redundant and advertisers fleeing the platform.
Users complain that hate speech and misinformation has proliferated and accounts with extreme views are gaining traction due to less content moderation.
This month, a closely watched forecast said Twitter’s income from advertising will fall by a large margin in 2023.
Analysts at Insider Intelligence said they were slashing an earlier worldwide revenue estimate of $4.74 billion by more than a third to $2.98 billion as trust deteriorates.
According to research firm Pathmatics, 14 of the top 30 advertisers on Twitter stopped advertising on the platform since Musk took charge on October 27.
Insider Intelligence noted that Musk’s efforts to build up a subscription service “won’t make up for the lost ad revenue.”
[AFP/CHANNELSTV]
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana has demanded that adequate scrutiny be carried out on the alleged 2 billion naira inducement trailing the controversial declaration of winner of Adamawa State supplementary elections on Sunday.
The candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the election, Aishatu ‘Binani’ Dahiru, who was earlier declared winner by the embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the state, Hudu Yunusa Ari had denied bribery allegations levelled against her.
However, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Falana said Binani’s denial is not enough.
“There are allegations that the sum of 2billion naira is fetching hands, so it is not enough for Binani to deny, there must be an investigation,” Falana said.
The senior advocate stated that those who were involved in the declaration of Binani as the winner should be questioned and brought to book, adding that Binani’s acceptance speech confirmed that she was party to the disarray.
“Was there inducement? That has to be investigated. The officers who were at the high table with Mr Yunusa Ari, the commissioner of Police, the Director of the State Security Service, and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
“All those involved in the criminality that occurred, they all have to be tried under the law. It is not enough for the IGP to simply redeploy the commissioner of police involved or for the director of state security to be withdrawn from the state.
“This is not the first time that it has happened, there have been false declarations of results before now,” he said.
Falana commended INEC for the swift action taken to ensure that proper response was implemented, adding that except actions are taken holistically, the impunity and aberrations would be repeatedly committed.
According to him, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practice Commission (ICPC) have to be involved to ensure that all those who breached the law be prosecuted.
“The EFCC and the ICPC will have to be brought in to investigate the allegations of inducement of the sum of 2 billion naira. It is also in the interest of the APC candidate to ensure this matter is fully investigated.
“The IGP would have to speed up the investigation. By now, we expect him (Adamawa REC) to have been arrested and if he cannot be found, they have to get a court order to declare him wanted.
“All the security officers involved will have to be investigated and prosecuted. INEC has done the right thing by suspending him so that he does not further taint the democratic process.”
The SAN stated that the law recommended strict sanction for any form of electoral conspiracy, malfeasance and financial inducement.
“The law is very clear on this matter, under section 120 subsection 4 of the electoral act. For any false declaration of the results of the election, anybody involved is liable to be prosecuted and the penalty is three years imprisonment which for me is not stringent enough.
“There is also section 121 of the Electoral Act which prescribes 12 months imprisonment for financial inducement with regards to elections.”
He also demanded that the legal practitioner disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Bar Association in collaboration with INEC take disciplinary actions against the Adamawa REC.
“The Nigerian Bar Association has to come in, the NBA has to write a petition, to the legal practitioner disciplinary committee for immediate sanction to serve as a lesson because he has brought the legal profession into disrepute.”
Authorities of the Nigerian Armed Forces have disclosed that its troops neutralized sixty-three (63) Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa terrorists between the beginning of March and the 15th of April.
In addition to neutralizing the terrorists, the troops also liberated over 150 victims in the course of their different operations across the country, including Hadarin Daji, Hadin Kai, and Delta Safe.
Major General Musa Danmadani, the Director Defence Media Operations told newsmen at the Defence Headquarters on Thursday, that the troops in the process also recovered several items including about thirty-six (36) ak-47 rifles, ak-47 magazines, other sophisticated weapons, food stuffs, motorcycles, explosives and rustled cattle from the terrorists.
He also revealed that the military recovered stolen crude oil and automotive gas oil also known as ago worth two hundred and fifty-nine million naira (N259m) from the hands of illegal oil bunkers in the Niger Delta.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, CFR, has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) to coordinate the Force Secretary for the setting up of the Departmental Selection Board (DSB) for Promotion.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Thursday.
The PRO stated that this was for the screening and selection of deserving members of the Inspectorate cadre for recommendation to the Police Service Commission for promotion to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police II (ASP II).
He noted that the DIG DFA has simultaneously been charged with mandating the Commissioner of Police (Welfare) to compile a list of members of the rank and file who are due and deserving of elevation to their next ranks.
The Inspector-General of Police noted that regular and timely elevation of deserving officers to their next ranks would boost the morale of officers and men of the Force.
According to him, this promotion exercise is set to charge the officers to be exemplary and exhibit professionalism in order to sustain the manpower development drive of the NPF
The Department of State Services (DSS) has apprehended two suspected gunmen in Kano State.
According to Peter Afunanya, Public Relations Officer, Department of State Services, National Headquarters Abuja, who stated this on Thursday, some exhibits were also recovered.
Two AK-47 assault rifles, two empty AK-47 magazines, a red Boxer motorcycle and a sack of yams—the weapons’ hiding places—were all found, he claimed, by the DSS officers.
Investigations, according to him, showed that the suspects were detained as they were en route to deliver the weapons and ammunition that were to be used to carry out a planned attack in one of the States in Northern Nigeria.
The statement further appealed to citizens to always be vigilant and report any suspicious movement around their environment
He also appealed to all operators and patrons of fun, hospitality and tourism centres to be cautious during the festive periods, just as the statement wished all the Muslim faithful, peaceful and joyous Eid el-fitr celebrations.
The service further pledged to work with sister agencies and other stakeholders to ensure adequate security during and after the events.
Akin Osuntokun, director-general of the Labour Party (LP) presidential campaign council, says the confusion and crisis that plague the party were created by the judiciary.
Recall that a federal capital territory (FCT) high court had, On April 5, barred Julius Abure from parading himself as the national chairman of the party.
Ruling on an ex parte application, Hamza Muazu, the presiding judge, also restrained Farouk Ibrahim, national secretary; Clement Ojukwu, national organising secretary; and Oluchi Opara, treasurer; from acting as national officers of the party.
Subsequently, Lamidi Apapa, the deputy national chairman, assumed national chairmanship position of the party, citing the court’s judgement.
On April 18, Yunusa Tanko, the LP presidential campaign spokesperson, announced the suspension of Apapa for “anti-party activities.”
Speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, on Thursday, Osuntokun said there was no reason for the judge to issue the restraining order, adding that it was a wrong decision.
He said his actions are the reasons why the LP is in turmoil, he lamented the growing trend of judges using technicalities instead of logic, law and fact to determine a suit.
“There is nothing going on there other than the crisis of the judiciary. It is a judge that made a judgement that is now responsible for creating a crisis in the Labour Party,” he said.
“There was a judge here who in his discretion said that Abure — who has been chairman for the primaries of the presidential and governorship candidates — should no longer parade himself as the chairman.
“He could have made a more logical position of what was brought before him. We have now come to see that judges in Nigeria rely more on technicalities, evasive tactics, and scapegoatism to take very crucial positions.
“It is the judge who gave this judgement that is causing this crisis right now. Judges have options, he could have said to let him remain in office, while the court proceeding goes on. There is nothing that says you must now tell him to step aside.
“He had the options but decided to go for the one that will introduce crisis to the party. Those who brought the case are mischiefs, they are looking for an opening to introduce their mischiefs.
“I don’t know what purpose it serves the interest of justice or the stability of the party or the politics of Nigeria for you to say that the man should now step down. The only beneficiaries of that judgement are those who brought the case.”
The Federal Government said that plans are already underway to evacuate Nigerians trapped in Sudan, as the country’s crisis continues to deepen.
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) spokesman, Gabriel Odu, who disclosed this in a statement, added that meetings are being held as to how best to handle the evacuation process.
The move was occasioned by a request made by Nigerian students pleading that they be evacuated from the currently troubled Northeast Africa.
Sudan is witnessing hostilities between two generals who seized power in a 2021 coup: army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, who commands the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The NIDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, said she has noted with concern the plight of Nigerian Students in Sudan over the escalation of hostilities.
Dabiri-Erewa further stated that the Commission has received the letter of SOLICITATION by Sudan chapter of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NAN), for possible evacuation of students especially those in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.
The NIDCOM Boss assured that the National Emergency Management Agency, (NEMA) which is in charge of emergency evacuations, is consulting with the in Nigerian mission in Sudan and other relevant agencies
She urged all Nigerian Students in Sudan as well as Nigerians living in Sudan to be security conscious and calm.
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Buhari Orders prosecution of Adamawa REC, security agents involved in Binani’s Illegal declaration
AdminPresident Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday approved the suspension of Barrister Hudu Yunusa Ari, Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, who illegally declared Aisha Binani winner of the state gubernatorial election when collation had not been concluded.
The suspension is contained in a circular on Thursday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha.
Buhari ordered Hudu’s suspension pending the completion of investigation by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) on the conduct/actions of the REC during the last Saturday’s supplementary election.
The president also ordered probe of the security operatives involved in the illegal declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru, also known as Binani, as governor-elect of Adamawa State.
Twitter removes Verification Badges of President-elect Tinubu, Atiku, Peter Obi, others
Buhari also directed the immediate investigation and prosecution, if found liable, of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari, by the IGP.
“Also, the President has directed investigation by the IGP, Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), of the role of their officers in aiding and abetting the conduct/actions of Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari and if found culpable, appropriate disciplinary actions, to be meted out to them.”
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had asked Ari to stay away from office indefinitely following his illegal action on last Sunday.
This was contained in a circular to the embattled REC signed by Mrs. Rose Oriaran-Anthony, Secretary to the Commission (INEC).
It was titled: ‘Commission’s Directive to stay away from INEC, Adamawa State’.
“I hereby convey the commission’s decision that you (Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State should stay away from the commission’s office in Adamawa State immediately until further notice.
“The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State with immediate effect,” the circular said.
INEC concluded the collation of results and declared Governor Fintiri winner, and presented him the certificate of return (CoR) on Wednesday in Abuja.
Twitter’s blue tick mass removal has touched Peter Obi, Bola Tinubu, and Atiku Abubakar, including many reporters/journalists, celebrities and others’ verification badges.
A check on the handles of these notable personalities, especially political figures including the Labour Party, All Progressives Congress, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate’s Twitter handles Thursday night shows that the verification badges have disappeared.
Owner Elon Musk, who has seen his $44 billion investment in the site shrivel, earlier pledged to get rid of what he described as a “lords & peasants system.”
Earlier dates set for the rollback of the ticks — predominately used by celebrities, journalists, and politicians — have slipped by without noticeable action.
But on Thursday high-profile accounts, as well as those of many reporters/journalists appeared to have had the checkmarks removed.
Politicians and official bodies also appeared to have been hit, with US Senator Brian Schatz objecting to the possible effect on public confidence in the event of disasters.
The Debt Management Office (DMO) has debunked claims that Nigeria defaulted in loan repayment to China.
In a statement on Wednesday, the DMO said it was quoted by a media report as saying that the country failed to fully service its debt to China, which had accumulated to N110.31 billion in the last two years.
The report also claimed that “penalties stand at N41.31 billion”, the debt office said.
However, the agency denied the assertions, describing them as false and advised the citizens to ignore the report.
“The attention of the Debt Management Office (DMO) has been drawn to a publication by some media houses claiming that Nigeria has defaulted in debt repayment to China for which it claimed “penalties stand at N41.31 billion,” the statement reads.
“The public is advised to ignore the publication as it is false.
“A closer look at the media publication shows that the body of the publication is completely detached from the headline.
“It gives the impression that the publishers of the report may have set out to mislead the public.
“The public is assured that Nigeria is fully committed to honouring its debt obligations and has not defaulted on any of its debt service obligations.”
China is one of Nigeria’s biggest creditors as a bilateral lender.
[TheCable]
The Kaduna State commissioner for internal security and home affairs, Samuel Aruwan, has said about 1,052 people were killed, 4,227 abducted and 648 were injured in 2022.
Mr Aruwan said this Wednesday during the presentation of a report on the state of insecurity in the state for 2022.
The report, titled “The Security Situation in Kaduna State from 1 January to 31 December, 2022,” covered security issues ranging from banditry and terrorism, kidnapping, rape perpetrated by armed bandits, cattle rustling, communal and inter- ethnic clashes, violent attacks, and reprisal attacks.
“The statistics presented are generated from daily reports of security agencies – the Military (the Army, Navy and Air Force), Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) – community leaders (ward heads, village heads, district heads, chiefdoms, and emirates) and credible human intelligence networks.
“The figures presented here by the Kaduna State Government therefore constitute the most authoritative source of periodic security data on banditry, terrorism, and other incidents in the State,” Mr Aruwan said.
The Statistics
Out of the 1,052 people killed, Mr Aruwan said 947 were men, 82 were women while 23 were minors.
Of those killed, 641 were from the central part of the state while 349 were from the Southern part of the state. The report stated that 62 people were killed in the Northern part of the state. with the Northern part of the state.
Out of the total 4,227 people kidnapped, 2,606 were men and 1,395 were women while the remaining 226 were minors.
The Kaduna central zone still led in the number of abductees with 3,112 while Kaduna southern zone has 925 cases of abduction with the northern part of the state having 190.
Mr Aruwan said in the year under review, 648 people were injured during the attacks while 11,714 animals were rustled.
The state also witnessed 25 cases of rape while 215 farms were reportedly destroyed.
The commissioner said the state government has achieved major feats in fighting insecurity which led to the killing of 628 terrorists in 2022.
He said some of the bandits leaders killed included Dogo Mai Kasuwa, Kachalla Gudau, Rigimamme and Alh Shanono among others.
Kaduna State, in the north west side of the country, has been witnessing series of terrorists activities as well communal and religious clashes for years.
[Premium Times]