A former Managing Director of the Nigeria Port Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, has said the removal of fuel subsidy is the best interest of Nigerians.
Naija News reports that President Bola Tinubu had announced the removal of fuel subsidy in his inaugural speech on Monday, May 29.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise News’ Morning Show on Saturday, Usman said she doesn’t consider the removal of fuel subsidy as suffering the Nigerian masses.
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Coordination said the subsidy removal is a reflection of the current reality in Nigeria, adding that the notion of the government subsidizing fuel for them is misleading.
Usman also added that the federal government cannot be subsidizing petrol other countries.
He said: “I don’t consider the removal of subsidy as ‘suffering’ the masses. It’s a reflection of the current reality in Nigeria. It’s important for Nigerians to note that the notion of the government subsidizing them is misleading; the government was subsidizing other countries.”
Speaking on the student loan scheme, Usman said the purpose of the initiative is to provide some form of benefit to Nigerian students in higher institutions.
She added: “People may say that student loan scheme isn’t primarily designed to benefit the poor but it aims to provide some form of benefit to Nigerians. Although it may not specifically target the poor, it does offer opportunities for a significant segment of Nigerians.”
The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olukayode Egbetokun, has said the Nigeria Police will establish a Quick Intervention Squad to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality.
Egbetokun said this on Friday in Abuja during his inaugural conference with Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above.
“The Nigeria Police Force under my command, in its quest to stamp out violent crimes and their detrimental and debilitating effects on the security and safety of our society, will forge ahead to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head on,” he said.
“This will be done with the establishment of a specialised Quick Intervention Squad, which will comprise combat ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent crime reduction strategies.”
“This will lead to a review of the engagement patterns of the Police Mobile Force in a bid to restore the days of glory of the Police Mobile Force as a punching arm of the Police,” he said.
The IG said his administration would embrace innovation and technology as powerful allies in the fight against crime.
According to him, the world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so the Nigeria Police should adapt to the evolving landscape of crime.
He said criminals were presently more sophisticated, more organised and more ruthless than ever before.
Egbetokun said the Nigeria Police would leverage cutting-edge tools, data analytics and intelligence networks to stay one step ahead of criminals, seeking to disrupt the peace of the country.
The IG said this would be achieved through a robust and effective human and technical intelligence-gathering process to enhance the capacity of personnel.
(NAN)
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is considering stern actions against some of its well-known members for aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu, contrary to party policies.
According to reliable sources that spoke with Punch, the PDP is contemplating expelling key members of the “G-5” group, comprising governors elected under its banner, who didn’t support the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the February 25, 2023, presidential election.
The former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike and an ex-governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom could face expulsion due to their affiliations with Tinubu and the APC, which the PDP considers a serious breach of party loyalty.
The PDP has warned that if these ex-governors accept any appointments from President Tinubu and the APC, immediate expulsion from the PDP will ensue.
As for the remaining “G-5” members, their fate is still uncertain. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State remains in the PDP fold, while the former governors of Abia and Enugu states, Okezie Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, seem politically adrift after losing their Senate bids.
An earlier judgment from a Federal High Court in May 2023 confirms the party’s right to suspend or expel any member, including Wike, if such action aligns with the law. This ruling further bolsters the PDP’s intentions.
In the judgment, Justice James Omotosho emphasized that suspending or expelling a member must be done in accordance with the party’s laws, ensuring the accused member’s right to defend themselves is not infringed upon.
While the PDP has warned its members about the repercussions of joining the APC-led government, the party has also stated that it hasn’t been approached by the ruling party for any potential collaboration.
Despite party lines, both Makinde and Wike have publicly appreciated President Tinubu’s initial steps in office, especially the removal of subsidy on petrol.
Wike, in particular, has continually criticized the PDP for failing to zone the 2023 presidential ticket to the South after eight consecutive years in the North.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has the 23 Local Government council chairmen remain suspended until the probe against them is concluded.
He said this while reacting to the claims the council chairmen at a press briefing in Makurdi, the state capital, on Saturday.
At the briefing, the council chairmen vowed not to obey the state government’s directive to quit their offices.
Reacting through his spokesman, Tersoo Kula, Alia said they were suspended for investigation purposes, not sacked.
The governor premised his action on the advice of the state assembly.
He said, “Recall that the Benue State House of Assembly had during plenary session on Tuesday, June 20, 2023, recommended for the suspension of all the 23 local government chairmen as well as their various legislative arms over corruption allegations.
“The recommendations were upheld by the state executive and the chairmen directed to hand over their offices to the various DGSAs of their councils.”
Alia expressed surprise that the council chairmen chose to react the way they did.
He denied knowledge of any court judgment, saying even if there was any, it was merely speculative, especially that a cause of action had not arisen as at the time the chairmen were talking about a court order or judgement.
He said, “So, even if there existed a court order not to sack council chairmen, at least there is none barring anyone from investigating them.
“But are they really insulated from appropriate sanctions by the extant constitutional provisions? They should come to equity with clean hands. Perhaps, they may have been misled into assuming that they are entitled to political immunity as ‘elected’ council chairmen.”
Alia therefore urged the council chairmen to be patient, as they will get the opportunity to defend themselves before the House of Assembly committee.
He stated that those who did not soil their hands would be reinstated but insisted that they remain suspended from office, pending the outcome of the investigation.
No fewer than 22,032 Nigerians were reportedly killed from March 2021 to June 2023 during the period the Service Chiefs who were fired by President Bola Tinubu on Monday held sway.
10,324 citizens were also abducted during the period under review, according to reports.
The Tinubu administration came into office at a time when the security of lives and property, which is among the primary purpose of government, was at its worst in the nation’s history.
Since the administration was inaugurated on May 29, attacks by gunmen, among other non-state actors, have reportedly claimed over 220 lives and 172 persons abducted.
On June 11, in Plateau State, a gunman, according to reports, shot dead at least 21 people and, on June 9, gunmen killed 25 people in Katako village, before killing another 13 individuals in Kusherki town on June 10.
Boko Haram/ISWAP firefighters, bandits, unknown gunmen, robbers, kidnappers, cultists, and gunmen were the non-state actors who killed Nigerians the most.
As part of the measures to rejig the country’s security architecture and halt the trend, Tinubu, on Monday, retired Lucky Irabor, Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS); Farouk Yahaya, Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS); Awwal Gambo, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS); Isiaka Amao, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS); and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali.
The President appointed in their stead, Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, CDS; Maj. Gen. T. A. Lagbaja, CoAS; Rear Admiral E. A. Ogalla, CNS; AVM H.B. Abubakar, CAS; and DIG Kayode Egbetokun, Acting IGP.
While Egbetokun has since resumed duties in his new position, the new Service Chiefs will have to wait until July when the Senate will resume plenary to confirm their appointments.
Civilians bear brunt
Out of the reported deaths in 2022, 3,972 civilians were killed by non-state actors, representing 87.4 per cent of the total deaths.
For this report, quasi-security outfits established by state governments, LGAs and communities were classified as vigilantes and were not spared by non-state actors in the period under review as 154 of them were killed.
Those employed as security guards for individuals and organisations had their share of onslaught as 14 of them were killed in 2022.
Security operatives, who are at the war front in the fight against insurgency, recorded some casualties in the same period as 202 soldiers and 186 police officers were reportedly killed.
39 priests killed, 30 abducted
Latest reports by SBM Intelligence, a socioeconomic research firm, showed that no fewer than 39 Catholic priests were killed by gunmen, while 30 others were abducted in 2022 alone.
In the report titled ‘Attacks on Priests’, the geopolitical research organisation said a total of 37 attacks on Catholic priests took place across the country last year. Out of the 37 attacks, 145 casualties were recorded of which 39 were deaths, 30 were abductions.
2,558 killed, 1,044 abducted in 6 months
Data gathered from Council on Foreign Relations, SBM Intelligence, Stefanos Foundation, and news reports revealed that between January and June 2023 alone recorded 324 instances of attacks from across the country, resulting in 2,558 deaths and 1,044 abductions.
North tops chart
In examining the disaggregated data on violent incidents in the first quarter of 2023, the report confirmed the popular opinion that each region of Nigeria is beguiled by a peculiar type of violent incident.
Overall, more violent incidents were recorded in the northern part of the country than in the South. Of the 1,230 deaths recorded, there were at least 932 violent killings in the North representing 75.77 per cent of the total killed; in contrast to the South where at least 298 were killed representing 24.23 per cent of the recorded figure.
An in-depth breakdown of the data further reveals that banditry and Boko-Haram/ISWAP are a form of terror up North that contributed the largest number of victims, with the North-Central suffering the heaviest number of casualties due to mostly herdsmen activities in Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa States.
While the North-East had at least 312 casualties, the North-West had 289 casualties. In the South, however, a combined 140 deaths in the South-East were attributed mostly to violent secessionist activities, South-South had at least 88 killed while 70 were recorded killed in the South-West.
9,076 lives lost, 4,680 abducted in 2022
As many as 9,076 lives were lost to the violent incidents that unsettled Nigeria last year under the watch of Irabor and co, and 4,680 people were victims of abduction.
Some of the most notorious incidents from 2022 include the terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train in March that led to several deaths and the abduction of over 60 passengers; the massacre of congregants at St Francis Catholic Church in Ondo in June; and the raid of the medium-security custodial facility in Kuje, Abuja, in July that led to hundreds of inmates breaking out.
Overall, at least 3,941 civilian deaths were recorded with various security agencies losing 477 personnel last year. Meanwhile, there was an increase in election violence, with 22 election-related fatalities and an additional 31 political actors killed. Non-state actors suffered heavy casualties as well, with 2,020 Boko Haram/ISWAP members and 2,483 other armed criminals reportedly killed.
Sunday Vanguard gathered that Borno, Zamfara, Niger, Kaduna, and Katsina states had the highest death tolls, while Ekiti, Gombe, Adamawa, Kano, and Akwa Ibom had the lowest.
When it comes to abductions, Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto were the worst performers, while Gombe, Osun, Lagos, Adamawa, Jigawa, and Kano recorded the lowest numbers of victims.
On the zonal level, the North-West recorded the highest number of reported death tolls with 1,524 killings, followed by the North-Central with 1,390; the North-east had 660; the South-East recorded 449; South-South had 276; while South-West recorded the least figure with 246.
In terms of reported abductions, the northern part of the country recorded the highest number of people abducted by non-state actors with 3,902, representing 84.5 per cent of the total reported across the country. The southern region recorded 714 reported abductions, representing 15.5 per cent.
South-West safest
Sunday Vanguard observed that the South-West recorded the least reported death toll among the six zones of the federation. The combination of the six states in the zone recorded 246 deaths. The South-South had the second lowest reported death toll as 276 people were reportedly killed by non-state actors in the zone.
In the southern region of the country, the South-East recorded the highest number of reported death tolls as 449 people were killed in the zone. Activities of those who are dubbed as ‘unknown gunmen’ increased in the South-East as they unleashed terror on police officers, police stations, facilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other public facilities.
The North-West recorded the highest number of people killed by non-state actors with 1,524 reported casualties, followed by the North-Central with 1,390 reported deaths. The two zones accounted for 64 per cent of the total reported deaths recorded in the entire country. The North-East recorded the least number of reported deaths with 660.
10,366 killed in 2021
An analysis of data collected by the Council on Foreign Relations showed that Nigeria recorded its worst insecurity-related death toll in 2021. At least 10, 398 persons were killed across the country between January 1 and December 31, 2021. Among the fatalities were 4, 835 civilians and 890 security personnel.
According to catalogued press reports, 1,760 Boko Haram members, 107 robbers, and 92 kidnappers were also killed.
Timeline of attacks in 2023
- January 1: Kidnappers abduct three in Tsafe, Zamfara.
- January 1: Airstrikes kill 33 Boko Haram militants in Bama, Borno.
- January 1: Bandits abduct four in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory.
- January 1: Bandits kill three, abduct one other in Abeokuta, Ogun.
- January 1: Five killed when car drives into party in Afijio, Oyo.
- January 1: Bandits abduct two in Kagarko, Kaduna.
- January 1: Police kill bandit in Gusau, Zamfara.
- January 1: Gunmen kill five in Awka South, Anambra.
- January 2: Gunmen kill four police officers in attack on former Governor Ohakim’s convoy in Ehime-Mbano, Imo.
- January 2: Police officers kill bandit in Jibia, Katsina.
- January 2: Gunmen kill one, abduct six others in Toto, Nassarawa.
- January 2: Gunmen bomb police station in Njaba, Imo.
- January 2-3: Troops kill four bandits in Giwa, Kaduna.
- January 3: Gunmen kill five in Akoko North-East, Ondo.
- January 4: Cult war results in four deaths in Sapele, Delta.
- January 4: Gunmen kill vigilante in Ihiala, Anambra.
- January 4: Police kill bandit in Malumfashi, Katsina.
- January 4: One police officer, two bandits killed during clash in Akwanga, Nassarawa.
- January 6: Kidnappers kill one, abduct one other in Ethiope West, Delta.
- January 7: Kidnappers abduct 32 at train station in Igueben, Edo.
- January 7: Police kill two gunmen in Gusau, Zamfara.
- January 7: Boko Haram kills 35 Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants in Kukawa, Borno.
- January 7: Police kill two kidnappers in Alkaleri, Bauchi.
- January 8: Communal violence results in death in Pategi, Kwara.
- January 9: Kidnappers abduct one in Esan South-West Local Government Area (LGA), one other in Uhunmwonde LGA in Edo.
- January 9: Bandits kill 12 security operatives in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
- January 9: Bandits kill vigilante member in Rafi, Niger State.
- January 10: Gunmen kill four in Ihiala, Anambra.
- January 10: Gunmen kill three in Ideato North, Imo.
- January 10: Bandits abduct 15 in Moro, Kwara.
- January 11: Bandits kill one, abduct two others in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory.
- January 11: Bandits kill two, abduct four others in Igabi, Kaduna.
- January 11: Kidnappers abduct two in Ayedire, Osun.
- January 11: Troops kill five Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militants in Mbaitoli, Imo.
- January 12: Kidnappers abduct police officer in Pankshin, Plateau.
•January 12: Gunmen kill four Anambra vigilantes, bomb buildings in Ihiala, Anambra.
•January 12: Kidnappers kill police officer in Oredo, Edo.
•January 12: Troops kill two kidnappers in Toto, Nassarawa.
•January 12: Police kill five bandits in Magama, Niger State.
•January 13: Gunmen kill two vigilantes in Sapele, Delta.
•January 13: Troops kill “several” (est. at 10) ISWA militants in Damboa, Borno.
•January 13: Kidnappers abduct four in Omala, Kogi.
•January 14: Kidnappers abduct Catholic priest in Oye, Ekiti.
•January 14: Gunmen attack political party’s spokesperson’s home, kill three others in Ideato North, Imo.
•January 14: Kidnappers abduct four in Ilorin, Kwara.
•January 14: Police kill bandit in Igabi, Kaduna.
•January 15: Cult clash results in four deaths in Oredo, Edo.
•January 15: Gunmen kill police officer during attack on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Enugu South, Enugu.
•January 15: Bandits kill Catholic priest in Paikoro, Niger State.
•January 15: Bandits abduct 25 at a church in Kankara, Katsina.
•January 15: Troops kill three Boko Haram militants in Monguno, Borno.
•January 16: Troops kill two bandits in Chikun, Kaduna.
•January 16: Military airstrikes kill 42 Boko Haram militants in Shiroro, Niger State.
•January 17: Two gunmen, one police officer killed during clash in Aba, Abia State.
•January 17: Kidnappers kill six, abduct one other in Zangon Kataf, Kaduna.
•January 17: Troops kill two bandits in Danmusa, Katsina State.
•January 18: Troops kill bandit in Danmusa, Katsina State.
•January 18: Troops kill seven bandits in Danko Wasagu, Kebbi.
•January 18: Bandits kill three, abduct six others in Jibia, Katsina.
•January 18: Police kill three IPOB members in Oguta, Imo.
•January 18: Herdsmen kill three, abduct 13 others in Ovia North-East, Edo.
•January 18: One person killed at a Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Esan Central, Edo.
•January 19: Herdsmen kill eight near an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Makurdi, Benue.
•January 19: Kidnappers abduct eight in Jalingo, Taraba.
•January 19: Kidnappers abduct six in Isi-Uzo, Enugu.
•January 20: Kidnappers abduct three in Ideato North, Imo.
•January 20: Kidnappers abduct six pupils in Doma, Nassarawa.
•January 20: Kidnappers kill one, abduct one other in Jos East, Plateau.
•January 20: Gunmen kill two All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Izzi, Ebonyi.
•January 21: Gunmen kill five, kidnap one other in Tafawa Balewa, Bauchi.
•January 21: Gunmen kill Ebubeagu Commander in Ezza North, Ebonyi.
•January 21: Gunmen kill police officer during attack in Oguta, Imo.
•January 22: Bandits kill three, abduct three others in Shiroro, Niger State.
•January 22: Police kill three kidnappers in Moro, Kwara. - January 22: Gunmen kill two in Ogbaru, Anambra.
•January 23: Airstrikes kill “scores” (est. at 40) of bandits in Munya, Niger State.
•January 23: Herdsmen kill two in Patani, Delta. - January 23: Troops kill 23 Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants in Damboa, Borno.
•January 23: Troops kill three bandits in Chikun, Kaduna.
•January 24: Gunmen kill one, abduct six in Unuimo Local Government Area (LGA) and two in Mbaitoli LGA in Imo.
•January 24: Kidnappers abduct two in Osogbo, Osun.
•January 24: Suspected accidental airstrike kill 56 herdsmen in Doma, Nassarawa.
•January 24: Electoral violence results in two deaths in Irewole, Osun.
•January 24: Unidentified airstrike kill 18 vigilantes in Shiroro, Niger State.
•January 25: Bandits kill five in Chikun, Kaduna.
•January 25: Gunmen kill two police officers, one civilian in Ngor Okpala, Imo.
•January 25: Bandits kill two Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) members, four civilians, abduct 14 in Munya, Niger State.
•January 27: Gunmen kill two vigilantes in Ohaozara, Ebonyi.
•January 27: Electoral violence leads to three deaths in Surulere, Lagos.
•January 28: Gunmen kill three police officers in Abakaliki, Ebonyi.
•January 28: Gunmen kill two soldiers in Nkanu East, Enugu.
•January 28: Troops kill 32 Boko Haram militants in Konduga, Borno.
•anuary 28: Herders kill 12 in Kwande, Benue.
•January 28: Gunmen kill two in Aboh-Mbaise, Imo. - January 29: Communal violence leads to two deaths in Logo, Benue.
•January 30: Herders kill five in Guma, Benue.
•January 30: Electoral violence results in death in Misau, Bauchi.
•January 30: Bandits kill three, abduct six others in Jibia, Katsina.
•January 31: Herders kill three police officers in Gwer West, Benue. - February 1: Gunmen kill one during attack on police station and INEC office in Idemili South, Anambra.
•February 2: Bandits kill 41 vigilantes in Bakori, Katsina.
•February 2: Gunmen kill judge in court in Oguta, Imo. - February 2: Gunmen kill one officer, one vigilante in Idemili North, Anambra.
- February 3: Gunmen kill three, abduct three others in Biase, Cross River.
•February 3: Gunmen kill two in Lere, Kaduna. - February 3: Gunmen kill three security operatives in Nijikoka, Anambra.
- February 3: Bandits kill 43 vigilantes, abduct 15 women in Kankara, Katsina.
•February 3: Kidnappers kill seven abductees in Bali, Taraba.
•February 4: Police kill three youths during clash in Ibadan, Oyo.
•February 4: Suspected herders kill six in Apa, Benue.
•February 4: Herders kill six in Ose, Ondo.
•February 4: Troops kill six Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants in Gwoza, Borno.
•February 4: Kidnappers abduct eight in Kwali, Federal Capital Territory.
•February 5: Gunmen kill five in Bokkos, Plateau.
•February 6: Troops kill 42 Boko Haram/ISWA militants in Kukawa, Borno.
•February 6: Eight killed, six others kidnapped during communal clash in Ayamelum, Anambra.
•February 6: Herdsmen kill one in Nkanu East, Enugu.
•February 7: Gunmen kill two, abducted 14 others in Kagarko, Kaduna.
•February 7: Gunmen kill one in Awka, Anambra.
•February 8: Communal clash leads to one death in Afikpo South, Ebonyi.
•February 9: Herders kill six in Gwer West, Benue.
•February 9: Gunmen kill four military officers in Ndokwa West, Delta.
•February 9: Communal clash results in the death of monarch in Ndokwa East, Delta.
•February 9: Troops kill four bandits in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
•February 10: Gunmen kill three police officers in Ihiala, Anambra.
•February 10: Airstrikes kill “scores” (est. at 40) of Boko Haram militants in Bama, Borno. - February 10: Electoral violence results in death in Maigatari, Jigawa.
- February 11: Bandits kill five police officers in Gurara, Niger State.
- February 11: Communal violence leads to death in Omala, Kogi.
- February 12: Bandits kill five in Fakai, Kebbi.
- February 12: Cult clash results in eight deaths in Gboko, Benue.
- February 13: Gunman killed during attack on police station in Idemili North, Anambra.
- February 14: Kidnappers abduct 15 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Ihiala, Anambra.
- February 14: Cult clash results in nine deaths in Ahoada East, Rivers.
- February 14: Gunmen kill two, abduct “others” (est. at five) in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory.
- February 15: Security forces kill three protesters in Oredo, Edo.
- February 15: Gang violence results in three deaths in Nembe, Bayelsa.
- February 15: Electoral violence results in death in Edu, Kwara.
- February 16: Troops kill seven bandits in Chikun, Kaduna.
- February 17: Cultists kill three Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) workers in Aba, Abia.
- February 17: Electoral violence results in three deaths in Ilesha, Osun.
- February 17: Security forces kill three protesters in Obafemi-Owode, Ogun.
- February 18: Electoral violence results in death in Ishielu, Ebonyi.
- February 18: Gunmen kill three police officers in Idemili North, Anambra.
- February 18: Kidnappers abduct three in Ihiala, Anambra.
- February 19: One police officer, six suspected IPOB members killed during attack on police facility in Oyi, Anambra.
- February 19: Bandits abduct two in Giwa, Kaduna.
- February 19: Military kills “several” (est. at 10) Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants in Damboa, Borno.
- February 20: Military kills “several” (est. at 10) Boko Haram/ISWA militants in Kukawa, four police officers and three IPOB/Eastern Security Network militants during clash in Idemili North, Anambra.
- February 22: Electoral violence results in seven deaths in Enugu South, Enugu.
- February 22: Troops kill five bandits in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
- February 22: Electoral violence results in death of police officer in Orlu, Imo.
- February 23: Electoral violence results in four deaths in Kano.
- February 24: Anti-smuggling unit kills two police officers in Gusau, Zamfara.
- February 24: Gunmen kill one civilian, one police officer in Oshimili North, Delta.
- February 25: Soldier kills one person for disrupting voting in Dekina, Kogi.
- February 25: Electoral violence results in three deaths in Emuoha, Rivers.
- February 25: Boko Haram attacks voters in Gwoza, Borno; no casualties.
- February 25: Electoral violence results in two women being shot in Sagbama, Bayelsa.
- February 25: Electoral violence results in two deaths in Etim-Ekpo, Akwa Ibom.
- February 25: Electoral violence results in death in Gombe, Gombe.
- February 25: Electoral violence results in death in Agege, Lagos.
- February 25: Multiple incidences of electoral violence with no casualties in Safana, Katsina; Oshimili North, Delta; Gwagwala, Bwari, and Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT); Owerri, Imo; Eti-Osa and Ejigbo, Lagos; and Ibadan, Oyo.
- February 25: National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) kills hoodlum during clash in Jalingo, Taraba.
- February 26: Herders kill 13 in Guma, Benue.
- February 26: Electoral violence results in two deaths in Tundun Wada Local Government Area (LGA), one death in Takai LGA in Kano.
- February 26: Election-related shootings but no casualties in Nnewi North, Anambra.
- February 26: Security agent kills politician in Idanre, Ondo.
- February 26: INEC official killed in Ukwuani, Delta.
- February 27: Gunmen kill traditional ruler in Ezza North, Ebonyi.
- February 27: Gunmen attack police station in Ohafia, Abia; no casualties.
- February 28: Herders kill seven in Gwer West, Benue.
- February 28: Bandits kill one in Munya, Niger State.
- March 1: Bandits kill one, abduct 23 others in Kagarko, Kaduna.
- March 1: Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) kills 200 Boko Haram militants in Guzamala, Borno.
- March 3: Kidnappers abduct three in Ibi, Taraba.
- March 3: Troops kill bandit in Chikun, Kaduna.
- March 3: Police kill two kidnappers in Ningi, Bauchi.
- March 3: Herdsmen kill 36 in Kwande, Benue.
- March 4: Gunmen kill police officer in Ogbaru, Anambra.
- March 5: Bandits kill two police officers, one other in Maru, Zamfara.
- March 5: Gunmen kill three in Riyom, Plateau.
- March 5: Gunmen kill traditional leader in Rimin Gado, Kano.
- March 5: Soldier kills three police officers, himself in Rabah, Sokoto.
- March 5: Suspected herdsmen kill three in Owan West, Edo.
- March 5: Nigerian Air Force (NAF) airstrikes kill three civilians in Giwa, Kaduna.
- March 6: Police kill kidnapper in Isoko North, Delta.
- March 7: Bandits kill six, abduct 50 others in Rafi, Niger State.
- March 7: Unidentified airstrikes kill “several” (est. at 10) in Wushishi, Niger State.
- March 7: Bandits kill six vigilantes in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
- March 7: Police kill three gunmen in Ivo, Ebonyi.
- March 7: Herdsmen kill eight in Gwer West, Benue.
- March 8: Bandits abduct three in Bosso, Niger.
- March 8: Boko Haram kills 35 fishermen in Ngala Local Government Area (LGA), one police officer in Magumeri LGA in Borno.
- March 8: Electoral violence leads to death in Alkaleri, Bauchi.
- March 8: Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) kills 100 Boko Haram militants in Dikwa, Borno.
- March 8: Herdsmen kill “some” (est. at five) in Kwande, Benue.
- March 8: Herdsmen kill seven in Guma, Benue.
- March 9: Boko Haram abducts seven in Magumeri, Borno.
- March 10: Bandits kill one, abduct four others in Lere, Kaduna.
- March 10: Kidnappers abduct 15 in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory
- March 11: Gunmen kill councilor in Ohaozara, Ebonyi.
- March 11: Bandits kill 22 in Kankara, Katsina.
- March 11: Bandits kill 17 in Zangon Kataf, Kaduna.
- March 13: Herdsmen kill one in Yenegoa, Bayelsa.
- March 13: Communal violence leads to three deaths in Obi, Benue.
- March 13: Police kill bandit in Giwa, Kaduna.
- March 14: Bandits kill one, abduct 40 in Paikoro Local Government Area (LGA), kill three, abduct 20 in Munya LGA in Niger State.
- March 14: Bandits kill 10 in Zangon Kataf, Kaduna.
- March 14: Herdsmen kill three in Patani, Delta.
- March 15: Troops kill “several” (est. at 10) bandits in Shinkafi, Zamfara.
- March 15: Bandits kill four soldiers, six others in Munya, Niger State.
- March 15: Gunmen kill traditional chief in Ilesha, Osun.
- March 15: Department of State Service (DSS) official kill civilian in Idemili North, Anambra.
- March 15: Military airstrikes kill 70 Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants in Marte, Borno.
- March 16: Security operatives kill five Shi’ites in Igabi, Kaduna.
- March 16: Electoral violence leads to three deaths in Ibadan South-East, Oyo.
- March 16: Kidnappers abduct four in Biase, Cross River.
- March 17: Military airstrikes kill 28 bandits in Munya, Niger State.
- March 18: Kidnappers abduct 19 INEC officials in Ideato South, Imo.
- March 18: Electoral violence leads to deaths in Awe, Nassarawa; Ezza North, Ebonyi; Bakassi Local Government Area (LGA); Ogoja LGA, Cross River; Ahoada West LGA; Emuoha LGA, Khana LGA, Rivers; Chanchaga, Niger State; Gboko, Niger State; Ila, Osun; Batsari, Katsina; Ethiope West, Delta; Gudu, Sokoto; and Oshodi/Isolo, Lagos.
- March 18: Troops kill 60 Boko Haram/Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) militants trying to disrupt election in Mafa, Borno.
- March 18: Bandits kill 51 vigilante members in Maru, Zamfara.
- March 19: Gunmen abduct six INEC officials in Lokoja, Kogi.
- March 20: Soldiers kill two police officers in Jalingo, Taraba.
- March 20: Gunmen abduct INEC official while post-election violence results in two deaths in Gusau, Zamfara.
- March 20: Herders kill one in Yenegoa, Bayelsa.
- March 20: Post-election violence results in death in Bauchi, Bauchi.
- March 23: Herders kill four in Agatu LGA and one in Oturkpo LGA, Benue.
- March 23: Herders abduct two in Ovia North-West, Edo.
- March 23: Bandits kill one, abduct three others in Kajuru, Kaduna.
- March 24: Soldier kills three civilians in Borgu, Niger State.
- March 25: Five robbers killed in Onitsha, Anambra.
- March 25: Kidnappers abduct 13 in Ajaokuta, Kogi.
- March 25: Troops kill “some” (est. at 10) Boko Haram militants in Bama, Borno.
- March 25: Herdsmen kill one in Guma, Benue.
- March 26: Gunmen kill two police officers in Enugu.
- March 26: Kidnappers kill one, abduct one other in Jos North, Plateau.
- March 26: Cult clashes result in six deaths in Ahoada West, Rivers.
- March 27: Bandits kill five abductees in Munya, Niger State.
- March 27: Troops kill 10 Boko Haram militants in Biu, Borno.
- March 27: Gunmen kill three Civil Defense Officers in Ngor-Okpala, Imo.
- March 27: Herders kill three, abduct “others” (est. at five) in Owan West, Edo.
- March 27: Troops kill “scores” (est. at 40) of bandits in Munya, Niger State.
- March 28: Bandits kill three, abduct 16 others in Kagarko, Kaduna.
- March 28: Police kill bandit in Danmusa, Katsina.
- March 30: Troops kill five bandits in Chikun, Kaduna.
- March 30: Communal violence leads to three deaths in Oturkpo, Benue.
- March 31: Bandits kill 15 in Ardo-Kola, Taraba.
- March 31: Police kill five suspected IPOB members in Aba, Abia.
- March 31: Bandits kill five in Funtua, Katsina.
- April 1: Troops kill 11 bandits in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
- April 2: Herders kill one, abduct four others in a church in Logo, Benue.
- April 2: Bandits abduct two students in Bungudu, Zamfara.
- April 2: Bandits kill two, kidnap two police officers, 32 others in Mashegu, Niger State.
- April 2: Gunmen kill 10 in Dekina, Kogi.
- April 3: Boko Haram kills three in Hong, Adamawa.
- April 3: Herders kill three in Apa, Benue.
- April 3: Bandits abduct 10 in Kachia, Kaduna.
- April 3: Herders kill three in Oturkpo, Benue.
- April 4: Gunmen kill four in Zangon Kataf, Kaduna.
- April 4: Troops kill 18 Boko Haram militants in Bama, Borno.
- April 5: Gunmen kill five in Alimosho, Lagos.
- April 5: Herders kill police officer, 50 others in Oturkpo, Benue.
- April 5: Kidnappers abduct traditional ruler in Pankshin, Plateau.
- April 5: Herders kill one, abduct eight others in Ndokwa West, Delta.
- April 6: Three police officers, one gunman killed during clash in Egor, Edo.
- April 6: Communal violence leads to eight deaths in Ussa, Taraba.
- April 7: Bandits abduct 100 in Tsafe, Zamfara.
- April 7: Herders kill 43 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Guma, Benue.
- April 7: Communal violence leads to “several” (est. at 10) deaths in Gwadabawa, Sokoto.
- April 8: Gunmen kill one, abduct one other in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- April 8: Kidnappers kill police inspector in Aboh-Mbaise, Imo.
- April 8: Soldiers kill two bandits in Maru, Zamfara.
- April 8: Soldiers kill bandit in Kankara, Katsina.
- April 9: Police kill two bandits in Tsafe, Zamfara.
- April 10: Kidnappers kill one, abduct one other in Rogo, Kano.
- April 10: Kidnappers kill one, abduct two others in Kabba/Bunu, Kogi.
- April 11: Troops kill two bandits in Kaduna, Kaduna.
- April 11: Herders abduct one in Ila, Osun.
- April 12: Cultists kill three, abduct two others in Ahoada West, Rivers.
- April 12: Bandits kill eight in Zangon Kataf, Kaduna.
- April 12: Bandits kill nine while airstrikes kill “several” (est. at 10) of the bandits in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
- April 12: Troops kill 15 bandits in Birnin-Magaji, Zamfara.
- April 13: Boko Haram kills 11 in Gujba, Yobe.
- April 13: Kidnappers abduct three in Akure, Ondo.
- April 14: Police kill two bandits in Kurfi, Katsina.
- April 14: Police kill three kidnappers in Lafia, Nassarawa.
- April 14: Police kill protesting Shi’ite member in Abuja, FCT.
- April 15: Bandits kill 13 in Zangon Kataf, Kaduna.
- April 15: Kidnappers abduct eight in Ogbadibo, Benue.
- April 15: Electoral violence leads to six deaths in Wudil, Kano.
- April 15: Police kill ballot box snatcher in Fakai, Kebbi.
- April 15: Communal violence leads to death in Bogoro, Bauchi.
- April 16: Bandits kill “many” (est. at 20) in Mangu, Plateau.
- April 16: Bandits kill one, abduct “several” (est. at 10) in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
- April 16: 50 bandits, 16 vigilantes and civilians killed during clash in Mashegu, Niger State.
- April 16: Bandits kill 12 in Birnin-Magaji, Zamfara.
- April 17: Bandits kill three in Birnin-Magaji, Zamfara.
- April 17: Kidnappers kill one, abduct six others in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- April 17: Troops kill bandit in Anka, Zamfara.
- April 17: Security operatives kill two civilians in Owerri, Imo.
- April 17: Kidnappers abduct one, kill two others in Obio/Akpor, Rivers.
- April 18: Clash results in two deaths in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
- April 19: Kidnappers abduct 13 in Kuje, FCT.
- April 19: Bandits kill three in Takum, Taraba.
- April 19: Bandits abduct five in Okpokwu, Benue.
- April 20: Herdsmen kill 12 in Kokona, Nassarawa.
- April 21: Gunmen kill five police officers, two civilians in Ngor-Okapala, Imo.
- April 21: Cult clash results in two deaths in Port Harcourt, Rivers.
- April 29: Kidnappers abduct two Catholic priests in Ughelli North, Delta.
- April 29: Bandits abduct “several” (est. at 10) in Paikoro, Niger State.
- April 29: Bandits kill soldier, abduct another in Doma, Nassarawa.
- April 29: Troops kill an “unspecified number” (est. at 20) of Boko Haram militants in Bama, Borno.
- April 30: Herders kill two in Guma, Benue.
- April 30: Troops kill three bandits in Anka, Zamfara.
- April 30: Bandits kill 40 in Zuru, Kebbi.
- April 30: Bandits kill three, abduct “others” (est. at five) in Shinkafi, Zamfara.
- April 30: Kidnappers kill one, abduct eight others in Kotonkarfe, Kogi.
- April 30: Two herders killed in Bassa, Plateau.
- May 1: Bandits kill two, abduct four others in Zaria, Kaduna.
- May 1: Kidnappers abduct three, kill one other in Akwanga, Nassarawa.
- May 2: Kidnappers abduct 12 in Owan East, Edo.
- May 2: Gunmen kill police officer in Aba, Abia.
- May 2: Herders kill three in Boripe, Osun.
- May 3: Gunmen kill youth leader in Ahoada East, Rivers.
- May 4: Gunmen kill three police officers in Orumba South, Anambra.
- May 4: Soldiers kill 23 bandits while one soldier killed during clash in Shiroro, Niger State.
- May 6: Troops kill two Islamic State in West Africa (ISWA) Commanders, “several” other ISWA militants (est. at 12) in Konduga, Borno.
- May 7: Gunmen kill police officer, kidnap Taraba Local Government Area Chairman in Takum, Taraba.
- May 7: Bandits abduct 40 from church in Chikun, Kaduna.
- May 7: Bandits abduct 13, kill one other in Kagarko, Kaduna.
- May 7: Security operatives kill four kidnappers in Idemili North, Anambra.
- May 7: Communal violence leads to death in Mokwa, Niger.
- May 8: Herders kill three in Guma, Benue.
- May 8: Cult clashes result in 16 deaths in Uyo, Akwa Ibom.
- May 9: Cult clash results in three deaths in Owo, Ondo.
- May 9: Herders kill six in Guma, Benue.
- May 10: Security forces kill seven gunmen in Nnewi South, Anambra.
- May 10: Gunmen kill two in Mangu, Plateau.
- May 10: ISWA kills three Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Damboa, Borno.
- May 11: Troops kill 11 ISWAP militants in Abadam, Borno.
- May 11: Kidnappers abduct All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Ehime-Mbano, Imo.
- May 12: Bandits abduct 50 in Rijau, Niger State.
- May 12: Communal violence leads to 13 deaths in Karim-Lamido, Taraba.
- May 12: Communal violence leads to four deaths in Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom.
- May 13: Communal violence leads to six deaths in Gwer West Local Government Area (LGA), three deaths in Apa LGA in Benue.
- May 14: ISWAP Improvised Explosive Device (IED) kills three soldiers in Abadam, Borno.
- May 14: Bandits kill 18 in Maru, Zamfara.
- May 14: Kidnappers abduct 15 in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- May 15: Kidnappers abduct “several” (est. at 10) in Ikere, Ekiti.
- May 16: Bandits kill 87 in Mangu, Plateau.
- May 16: Gunmen kill two police officers, five others while also kidnapping two during attack on U.S. convoy in Ogbaru, Anambra.
- May 16: Kidnappers kill one, abduct three others in Isin, Kwara.
- May 16: Kidnappers abduct “some” (est. at five) National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in Emuoha, Rivers.
- May 16: Gunmen kill four in Toto, Nassarawa.
- May 17: Kidnappers kill two, abduct six others in Kwali, FCT.
- May 17: Troops kill “several” (est. at 10) bandits in Shinkafi, Zamfara.
- May 18: Gunmen kill five in Orumba North, Anambra.
- May 18: Kidnappers abduct two in Ika South, Delta.
- May 19: Police kill two kidnappers in Etche, Delta.
- May 20: Kidnappers abduct priest in Okigwe, Imo.
- May 20: Gunmen kill two police officers in Ughelli North, Delta.
- May 20: Gunmen kill two police officers in Ngor-Okpala, Imo.
- May 20: Herders kill one in Oguta, Imo.
- May 20: Bandits kill nine, abduct three others in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
- May 20: Herders kill six in Apa, Benue.
- May 20: Bandits kill two in Kachia, Kaduna.
- May 21: Communal violence leads to six deaths in Takum, Taraba.
- May 21: Herders kill one in Riyom, Plateau.
- May 21: Herders kill 18 in Guma, Benue.
- May 21: Communal violence leads to four deaths in Mangu, Plateau.
- May 22: Gunmen kill police officer in Abakaliki, Ebonyi.
- May 22: Bandits abduct two in Kachia, Kaduna.
- May 24: Three police officers, two gunmen killed during attack on police station in Onicha, Ebonyi.
- May 24: Communal violence leads to three deaths in Mangu, Plateau.
- May 24: Kidnappers abduct two pastors in Yola, Adamawa.
- May 25: Gunmen kill two traditional leaders in Oguta, Imo.
- May 26: Kidnappers abduct priest in Mbaitoli, Imo.
- May 26: Bandits kill 22 in Maradun, Zamfara.
- May 26: Unknown attackers kill six in Kano, Kano.
- May 27: Kidnappers abduct four children in Njaba, Imo.
- May 27: ISWAP kills two soldiers while troops kill 39 militants in Abadam, Borno.
- May 28: Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) kills three Boko Haram militants in Abadam, Borno.
- May 29: Police kill two bandits in Bindawa, Katsina.
- May 29: Gunmen kill three in Emuoha, Rivers.
- May 29: Herders kill six in Apa, Benue.
- May 30: Bandits kill 25 in Maru, Zamfara.
- May 30: Kidnappers abduct an estimated 10 people in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
- May 30: Bandits kill one, abduct five others in Kagarko, Kaduna.
- May 30: Cultists kill five in Ahoada West, Rivers.
- May 30: Troops kill “scores” of bandits (est. at 20) in Anka and Shinkafi Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Zamfara.
- May 31: Police kill two kidnappers in Udu, Delta.
- May 31: Kidnappers kill three, abduct two others in Obafemi-Owode, Ogun.
- June 1: Troops kill three bandits in Chikun, Kaduna.
- June 2: Police kill four cultists in Emuoha, Rivers.
- June 3: Bandits kill 40 in Katsina-Ala, Benue.
- June 3: Bandits kill 18 in Gwadabawa Local Government Area (LGA), 37 in Tangazara LGA in Sokoto.
- June 3: Bandits kill 31, abduct 30 others in Maradun, Zamfara.
- June 3: Kidnappers abduct four in Bwari, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
- June 4: Police kill three cultists in Ahoada East, Rivers.
- June 4: Troops kill 11 ISWAP militants in Chibok, Borno.
- June 5: Kidnappers abduct three in Ajaokuta, Kogi.
- June 5: Bandits kill two, abduct 30 others in Birnin-Gwari, Kaduna.
THREE ATTACKS TO REMEMBER
Some of the most notorious incidents from 2022 include the terror attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train in March that led to several deaths and the abduction of over 60 passengers; the massacre of congregants at St Francis Catholic Church in Ondo in June; and the raid of the medium-security custodial facility in Kuje, Abuja, in July that led to hundreds of inmates breaking out.
[Vanguard]
Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, chairman of Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, has admitted selling the land on which a building has been marked for demolition.
Daily Trust reports that the government of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has marked some property for demolition.
Among them are plazas and filling stations located along popular BUK road, as well as property built around the ancient Kano City Wall (Badala).
Isma’ila Bello, one of the owners of structures along BUK, opened up that he got the land from the state’s anti-graft boss.
The businessman further accused the government of double standard in its recent demolition exercise, alleging that some of the properties marked for demolition were “legally” acquired from individuals with connection with the incumbent government.
But Rimingado, who was the businessman accused of selling him the land, told Daily Trust that he was allocated the land by the previous government and that he received it because he was convinced it was not an illegal entity.
He said the land was not situated in or around a school or worship centre and did not affect the ancient Kano city wall.
While addressing journalists on the issue of the properties marked for demolition by the government late hours of Friday, the businessman, who is also the Secretary of BUK Haudi properties forum, said they bought their lands where they’ve erected shops from the anti-graft agency chairman, Rimingado who is currently spearheading the demolition exercise.
Bello, a resident of Sabuwar Kofa, said, “We woke up yesterday and saw red paint marked on our properties. This thing that the government is doing is not the way out. A leader protects the lives and properties of his people. That place was given to big men in the state at that time.
“His (Rimingado) plot was number 25 opposite Gidauniya just by Hauren Shanu. And if you are talking about Badala, Gidan Murtala building was built on Badala and other buildings beside it are all on Badala.
“There is no reason (for the demolition) and it does not make sense because we got it from the previous government that it should be demolished,” Bello said.
He further alleged that there are properties that have not been marked along the site because they belong to people who are close to the government.
“There is a place I bought, it was a pond that has claimed so many lives. I bought it from Gwaggo the wife of the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, the in-law of former Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the deposed emir gave her the place.
“I went to her house in her sitting room and bought it. I came back and filled it with sand. We demolished Badala inside the pond and found out that some youth have created a room inside. We found guns and other dangerous weapons. The police at zone one are aware. They took the items. The residents there thanked me immensely for that,” he said.
When contacted, Rimingado, said he stands by the position he expressed on Trust TV on the buildings marked for demolition at Salanta and that it was mischievous for anyone to try to use the recent development to cast aspersions on him and the government.
He confirmed that he was allocated a plot around the area marked for demolition but that the plot, which he sold “when in need of money”, was not within or built on the Kano ancient wall (Badala).
“Marking for demolition is a different thing as it is not within a school, place of worship or hospital. As far as I am concern the governor can issue a plot of land for anyone but a governor cannot issue a public space for anyone. I stand by my position (on Trust TV).
“I don’t know why they marked that place for demolition. And the owner of the property can take it up with the government for clarification”, he added.
[DailyTrust]
Former governors, senators, and other bigwigs in the All Progressives Congress, APC, have intensified lobbying for ministerial appointments from President Bola Tinubu.
DAILY POST investigations indicated that some state chapters of the ruling party have already compiled names of persons nominated for ministerial slots, while others are still in the process.
According to reliable sources, the lists are set to be forwarded to the party’s secretariat in Abuja for onward transmission to President Tinubu, who will decide on the shortlist and unveil the names of ministers and their portfolios any time soon.
DAILY POST recalls that former President Muhammadu Buhari, on March 17, 2023, assented to a bill mandating the President and governors to submit the names of persons nominated as ministers or commissioners within 60 days of taking the oath of office.
Buhari signs amended bills that mandates Tinubu to name cabinet within 60 days – Daily Post Nigeria
The lists are subject to confirmation by the Senate and state House of Assembly, respectively. In line with this new order,
President Bola Tinubu, who took over power on May 29, has less than 33 days left to unveil the list of his ministers.
There are 27 ministries left vacant by the previous administration. These are:
Federal Capital Territory Administration
Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
Ministry of Aviation
Ministry of Budget and National Planning
Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Information and Culture
Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy
Ministry of Interior
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Labour and Employment
Ministry of Petroleum Resources
Ministry of Water Resources
Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development
Ministry of Mines and Steel Development
Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs
Ministry of Power
Ministry of Transportation.
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development
Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation
Ministry of Youth and Sport
Ministry of Works and Housing
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
While President Tinubu has been enjoying public acceptance following his recent appointments, there are worries that party loyalists rather than competent individuals may occupy the ministerial seats.
DAILY POST findings indicated that some of the party chieftains, including ex-governors and former lawmakers who lost out in the February 25 election, have been sighted frequently at the APC National Secretariat in the past few weeks. Their sudden appearances at the secretariat in the nation’s capital are being construed as an apparent jostling for ministerial positions.
Others did not show up in Abuja, but their names are strongly mentioned as likely candidates to appear on the ministerial list. This category includes former governors Ikedi Ohakim of Imo State, Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, and Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano.
Similarly, there are speculations that former Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike, currently a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, is contemplating defecting to the ruling party for a subsequent appointment.
States chapters of APC are also contending for slots as compensation for their contribution to Tinubu’s presidential victory.
The immediate past Senate Majority Leader, Senator Ibrahim Gobir, is being considered for a ministerial slot in Sokoto State, while party members in Osun State are rooting for the immediate past governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, to be named a minister.
Beyond rumours, a party source who spoke to Daily Post on the condition of anonymity confirmed that some party members who did not win the last general election but toiled tirelessly to ensure Bola Tinubu’s victory on February 25 will be rewarded with ministerial jobs or other high-ranking positions.
He was quick to add, however, that such appointments would be determined on a quid pro quo basis.
He said: “You want to be appointed as a minister, but meanwhile you were not able to even deliver your own polling unit for Asiwaju. It is not possible; this is politics.
“There are people in the party who obviously worked against us. Such people are now lobbying for ministerial slots, how is that possible? The fact that you are well-known in the party is not enough reason to be appointed. You gain favour based on the favour you render.”
He further added: “There are some people who were not members of our party but fought a good fight to ensure that Asiwaju won that election; should Tinubu now abandon them and go for those who didn’t do anything just because they are party members? No, it doesn’t work like that.
“If you are not loyal, you cannot work with Bola Tinubu. He works with people he trusts, not someone who is just an APC member.”
Iorfa Thomas, a leader in the ruling party and a former senatorial candidate in Benue’s Zone C senatorial district, claimed that Tinubu will have a good cabinet that will provide Nigerians with the desired level of governance.
According to him, previous appointments made by the president are a good indicator of how his ministers will also be appointed.
He said: “President Tinubu will not disappoint Nigerians; even though he does not have enough time, Nigerians should expect capable people in his cabinet. It is not about spending the whole year looking for a capable person. I believe he already knows those he can work with.”
Continuing, he noted: “Former president, Buhari had almost half a year to pick his ministers, yet they didn’t meet the expectations of average Nigerians. Tinubu has limited time based on the recent law mandating him to pick his ministers within 60 days of his assumption of office, but he will have the best ministers in the history of the country.”
He said further: “If you look at his recent appointments, you will see that the president balanced them by going to different regions. He is going to make sure that nobody is left out.
“For example, in Benue, the Tiv already have George Akume as Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); so a ministerial slot is likely to be given to Zone C, the Idoma nation.
“I am certain that at the end of the day, when the list is out, we will all have reasons to celebrate the President.”
Some state chairmen contacted by DAILY POST declined to speak on the matter.
[DailyPost]
Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board says it turned down 114 Nigerians who applied for refugee protection between January and June, 2023.
So far, 12,035 Nigerians have been rejected under the scheme since January 2013, data from the Refugee Protection Division of the IRBC shows.
The IRB grants refugee protection in Canada if the RPD satisfactorily confirms that an applicant or claimant meets the United Nations definition of a convention refugee, “which has been incorporated into Canadian law, or that the applicant is a person in need of protection.”
The 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees defines refugees as persons with a substantiated fear of persecution because of their race, nationality, religion, political ideology or membership in a particular social group. Such social groups can include sexual orientation, gender identity, being a woman and persons living with HIV/AIDS.
However, the document indicated that people asking for protection in Canada must show evidence showing the danger of torture, a risk to their life, or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment should they return to their country of nationality.
It was learnt that the protection claims are made when immigrants notify the Border Services Agency at any port of entry upon arriving in Canada or report to an immigration officer.
“The officer decides whether the claim is eligible to be referred to the IRB. If the claim is eligible, it is sent (‘referred’) to the RPD to start the claim for refugee protection process,” an application guideline by the Refugee Board reads.
However, the RPD has rejected about 12,035 such applications from Nigerians for a decade and six months.
The breakdown showed that 127, 241, and 248 Nigerians were denied protection in 2013, 2014, and 2015 respectively, under the new system for determining refugee protection claims made in Canada – which took effect on December 15, 2012.
Also, 476, 917, and 1,777 claims were rejected in 2016, 2017, and 2018 respectively.
2019 saw the highest rejected claims so far, with 3,951 Nigerian applicants turned down, while 1,770, 1,686, and 728 persons were denied protection in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Nevertheless, 9,783 Nigerians were granted refugee status within the period under review. There were 20 in 2012; 308 in 2013, 394 in 2014 and 389 in 2015. Also, 389 Nigerians were received in 2016, 764 in 2017, 755 in 2018, and 1,733 in 2019. While 2020, 2021, and 2022 saw 1,534, 2,302, and 1,315 persons granted protection, respectively. 289 Nigerians have been accepted for protection in the first six months of 2023.
As of June 2023, 2,198 applications were pending, as at least 432 persons had withdrawn their refugee claims.
In a previous interview with Sunday PUNCH, the Executive Director, Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation, Imaobong Ladipo-Sanusi, who judged the acceptance rate as “fair,” said irregular migration was often the main cause of rejections.
Ladipo-Sanusi said, “Most times, many Nigerians miss it when they don’t understand the laws governing refugee status as adopted in their chosen destination. Every country has its regulations for absorbing people into its system.
“For one, documentation is crucial because coming irregularly will get you rejected from their system. But ultimately, everybody’s rights must be protected. Migration must be safe, orderly and regular. Even if their status is irregular, those who really need protection should be protected.”
Also speaking, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Singapore, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, noted that although it was not practicable for all refugee and asylum seekers to be admitted, border control agencies had the duty to reject persons perceived to be a threat to their countries.
[Punch]
The attention of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has been drawn to calls by imposters and sponsored amorphous groupings acting as fronts for the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, that APC in Rivers State is calling on him (Mr Wike) to join the same party he had characterised as suffering from Cancer.
Nothing can be more preposterous than this kite being flown by minions of Wike working hard to justify their pay cheque.
We wish to unequivocally dismiss any such rumour or sponsored story planted in any medium that Rivers State APC had at any forum invited Mr Wike to join our party none the least calling on Wike to take over leadership of a party he never campaigned for. We dare anyone to provide video evidence of any campaigns where Mr Wike openly campaigned for the APC. The terror unleashed on our party members in the cause of his eight years maximum rulership alone is enough evidence to confirm that Wike has no business with Rivers State APC. Asking him to come and take over is asking an enemy to come and finish off his victims.
We are aware of his schemes to escape justice over the looting of the collective patrimony of Rivers people which is the major reason for his romancing top APC members.
For those who may be suffering from amnesia, a none APC member cannot be cheerleader for the entry of Wike into APC. Nobody can decree his membership of a political party through radio or newspaper publications. All vexatious attempts at distracting our party in Rivers State will keep failing.
For the avoidance of doubts, the APC in Rivers State has a legally recognized state office where all official businesses are conducted. We do also have standard procedure for convening our meetings according to our party's constitution. Therefore, it is expedient for the public to be aware that village meetings or gatherings cannot equate with a stakeholder's meeting of APC in Rivers State, especially a gathering that took place at a hotel belonging to such a non-APC member.
We therefore disassociate the leadership of our party from any so-called stakeholders meeting suggesting that our party be handed over to Mr Wike. We reiterate our party's resolve to lend 100% support to the policies and programmes of the Federal Government under the indefatigable leadership of our President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
We warn blackmailers and conflipreneurs to desist from the shameless tradition of using the name of our party to curry favour from desperate politicians seeking relevance at the centre.
Signed:
Darlington Nwauju
Rivers State APC Spokesperson
24/6/2023
Nkechinyere UMEH has emerged as the leading scorer in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations, having achieved an impressive cumulative mark of 360.
During the ongoing 2023 policy meeting in Abuja, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Examinations, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, made a presentation revealing that...
Umeh, hailing from Anambra State, has reportedly scored an impressive 360 points, as stated by Oloyede.
In a recent development, the JAMB boss has revealed the names of the top 10 candidates who excelled in the examination. Notably, Aguele Stephen and Ositade Oluwafemi secured the top spot with a score of 358, followed closely by Gbolahan Ayinde with a score of 357. Other high-performing candidates include John Fulfilment and Chimdubem Ugonna, who scored 356 and 355, respectively.
More...
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a new warning to banks and other financial institutions regarding their business relationships with Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs).
CBN said the banks and other financial institutions should apply a risk-based approach to identifying Politically Exposed Persons and apply appropriate Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD) measures when dealing with them.
In a document titled, ‘GUIDANCE NOTES ON POLITICALLY EXPOSED PERSONS’, which was issued to banks on June 22, 2023, but obtained on Saturday, the CBN said the enhanced due diligence is necessary due to the PEPS exposure to corruption.
The apex bank also listed exposure to money laundering, financing of terrorism and proliferation financing (ML/FT/PF) as some of the reasons the banks must apply the EDD and the Customer Due Diligence (CDD).
According to the CBN, PEPS could pose reputational and financial crime risks to banks and other financial institutions due to their political office.
“Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) who may be vulnerable to corruption thus may portend reputational and financial crime risks to the FI. PEPs pose a high risk of money laundering, financing of terrorism and proliferation financing (ML/FT/PF) due to the possibility that individuals holding such positions may misuse their power and influence for personal gain or advantage to themselves, close family members and/or associates,” the document reads.
In its definition of a PEP, the CBN explained: “PEPs who are or have been entrusted with prominent public positions in Nigeria are known as “Domestic PEPs”.
“PEPs who are or have been entrusted with prominent public positions in any other foreign jurisdiction are known as “foreign PEPs”.
“PEPs who are or have been entrusted with the management or any prominent function within an international organization are known as “International Organizations PEPs”
“Close associates of PEPS: are individuals who are closely connected to a PEP, either socially or professionally and include a PEP’s widely- and publicly known close personal friends, business colleagues, and personal advisors. Close associates also include persons having joint or ownership right in a legal person or arrangement established in favour of a PEP.
“Family members of PEPS: include a PEP’s direct family members, their spouse, their children and their spouses, their parents, and the siblings.”
Despite the high risk, the CBN informed the banks and other financial institutions not to prevent or close their business relationships with a customer on the grounds of the person being politically exposed.
Aside from direct requests for information from the PEPs, the CBN urged banks to conduct a third-party search by tracking the PEPs on the Internet or media.
“FIs may use the internet and media as sources of information for the determination, monitoring, verification of information in relation to PEPs, although it should be noted that such information may not be comprehensive or reliable,” the CBN suggested.
“Consequently, the CBN issues this Guidance in line with CBN AML/CFT/CPF Regulations 2022, FATF Recommendations, FATF Guidance on PEPs (2013) and Wolfsberg Guidance on PEPs (2017), to assist FIs in the identification and management of risks associated with PEPs.
“This Guidance provides minimum standards for FIs in their relationships with PEPs and does not limit measures to be taken by FIs to meet their statutory obligations. The Guidance Notes will be revised from time to time, as necessary,” the apex bank noted.
[NationalDaily]
The Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, has hit the ground running by approving the appointment of New General Officers Commanding (GOCs), for some of the divisions of the Nigerian army and commandant for the Nigerian Defence.
Lagbaja appointed Major General A.B Ibrahim as the Chief Of Policy and Plans.
Under the new arrangement, Major General Alabi is now the General Officers Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army Kaduna, Major General E.A Abubakar, 3 Division Nigerian Army, Jos, Major General Mala, GOC 7 Division, Major General.
Also appointed is a new Provost Marshal, Army, Brigadier General Garba, Chief of Military Intelligence, Brigadier General Ugiagbe, Major General Ochai, Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Maina, Commandant Army War College Nigeria.
Others include Major General Aligbe, Commander Training And Doctrine Command, Minna, Major General Oluyede, Commander Infantry Corps, Major General Kange, and Commander Artillery.
The appointment, it was gathered, became necessary following the gap created by the retirement of some officers due to the selection of new service chiefs by President Bola Tinubu on June 19.
[PoliticsNigeria]
A former Chairman of Nigerite Nigeria Limited, Dr Yemi Oladimeji has disclosed that leaders of the Western world did not really care about Nigeria and urged President Bola Tinubu to be smart in dealing with them or their agents.
Speaking with Vanguard in Osogbo during the weekend, Oladimeji, a Fellow, American Society of Nephrology, and a United States-based Associate Professor of Medicine advised the President to be smart in dealing with individuals, groups and countries outside Nigeria, who are visiting the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja to felicitate with him and to offer help to Nigeria.
He said it’s important that Tinubu protect and put the interest of Nigeria and the black people first before that of this “multitude of guests, particularly the ones outside Africa.”
He said; “I watched and followed with keen interest events that led to President Tinubu’s emergence as the candidate and standard bearer of his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The unfolding events characterized by high-level lobbying, bridge building and theatrics before, during and after the APC primary election in Abuja, have proved he is really smart and well equipped and prepared for the tasks ahead.
“He effectively manoeuvred his way through all land mines and deployed so much diplomacy and political sagacity to become the President and Head of Government of the African nation with the highest concentration of black people in the world. For these and for your brilliant and outstanding performance as two-term governor of Lagos State, you have really won my admiration and you are worthy of my support.”
According to him, Tinubu is smart but should be smarter in dealing with “these nations and groups outside Nigeria and Africa. He should never derail from his core development agenda for Nigeria and Africa, insisting that the principle of Nigeria first before any other considerations must guide and guard his steps.
He warned further that the President should know that the individuals, groups and nations, visiting him have hopes, dreams and aspirations different from Nigeria and Africa, and therefore, should always hold close to his chest, the interest of Nigeria.
His words: “Some of these big nations when they see an African country with good leadership, they will find a way to frustrate and bring down its government. I know their mission, they don’t have good plans for Africa. I have an opportunity of over four decades outside Nigeria. I know how the advanced nations operate, many of them don’t have good plans for African countries.
“They know Tinubu will make Nigeria great and they are now looking for ways to frustrate his government. Some of those visiting him will come as friends with beautiful and strategic development plans in order to have an early closeness to him and later cripple his administration’s performance.
“Some of these guests are linked to the advanced nations’ secret police services and are working for them to foster their fixed and irreplaceable agenda that is inimical to the progress and economic prosperity of the less developed nations.
“I want this to be clear to Mr President that he has a golden opportunity to defend and be committed to the interest of Africa because Nigeria, as a leader in the African continent and for black people in the diaspora, has great responsibilities.
“Nigeria must be cautious and be thorough in analysing and knowing its interest at all times. We can’t afford to fall into the trap of any group or nation. We should always think of Nigeria’s survival. I want Nigeria to take note of how countries like India, China and some oriental nations have lately charted their ways to become forces to be reckoned with in the world’s technological, socio-economic and political order.”
Oladimeji, tasked Tinubu to look inward and lead with African strategies, which borders more on self-reliance, selective cooperation and adoption, adding that now is the golden opportunity for Nigeria to get it right so that other African nations can get it right too.
Acknowledging that Tinubu has achieved what his forerunners, Nigeria’s once leading political figure and late sage, Obafemi Awolowo; and the winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, Presidential election, late MKO Abiola; could not achieve by ascending national power, he reminded him that “attaining power is not enough but what you achieve with it is far more important.”
[Vanguard]
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, on Saturday reacted to the criticisms from Nigerians over the photographs he took in Paris, France.
Okonjo-Oweala had posted a photograph of him in which President Bola Tinubu was cropped out.
The WTO DG had taken the photograph during the summit for ‘A New Global Financing Pact’ convened by the French President, Emmanuel Macron.
The summit afforded Tinubu the opportunity of projecting, on a global stage, his advocacy for widening the fiscal space, economic justice for Africa as the world accelerates the pace of energy transition, and the urgency of addressing the pressing issues of poverty and climate change.
The photograph had generated so much controversy among Nigerians.
Reacting to the controversy generated, Okonjo-Oweala urged Nigerians to relax.
Tweeting, the former Finance minister said the controversy has exposed how polarised Nigeria has become.
According to Okonjo-Iweala: Nigerians, please relax! Re Paris, Interesting attacks from both sides. This sadly shows the depth of polarization in our society.
“I post photos in the order received by accompanying staff or colleagues. Reading more into it is unwarranted. Let’s unite to build our country, not attack.”
[DailyPost]