In a harrowing act of violence, Crocus City Hall, a renowned concert venue on the outskirts of Moscow, became the scene of a brutal terrorist attack.

The incident occurred just as the popular rock band “Picnic” was preparing to perform to a sold-out crowd.

According to Russia’s prosecutor general, at least four individuals clad in camouflage stormed the venue, unleashing chaos and fear.

The aftermath is grim. More than 60 lives have been claimed, with over 100 individuals sustaining injuries.

The terror group ISIS has purportedly taken responsibility for the attack through its affiliated news agency Amaq on Telegram, yet no evidence has been provided to substantiate this claim.

As flames engulfed the concert hall, emergency responders sprang into action, evacuating approximately 100 people from the basement and initiating rescue operations for those trapped on the roof.

The Russian Investigative Committee is treating the incident as a terrorist act and has confirmed that the death toll has risen to at least 133, with the possibility of further casualties as the search through the rubble continues.

In response to this atrocity, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation, condemning the attack as a “barbaric act of terrorism” and expressing his determination to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Amidst the turmoil, President Putin has also levelled accusations against Ukraine, suggesting the neighbouring country had plans to aid the suspects’ escape, a claim that Kyiv has vehemently denied.

The swift action of Russian authorities led to the arrest of 11 individuals, including the four gunmen believed to be responsible for the attack.

The head of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) reported these developments directly to President Putin.

This tragedy has not only shaken Russia but has also caught the attention of the international community.

U.S. officials, having previously gathered intelligence on potential ISIS activities in Russia, had issued warnings against attending large gatherings.

Nollywood actress Uche Ogbodo has shed light on what she described as harsh realities lurking within the Nigerian entertainment sphere.

Speaking out against the prevalent toxicity, Ogbodo described the industry as a breeding ground for envy, wickedness, and deceit.

Sharing her thoughts on her Instagram page, Ogbodo lamented the lack of genuine love and camaraderie among industry insiders, asserting that instead of celebrating each other’s successes, individuals are consumed by jealousy and a relentless pursuit of personal gain.

Ogbodo’s assertions underscored a longstanding issue within the industry.

According to her, indeed, the entertainment realm has perpetually been a crucible of contention, with celebrities rarely displaying genuine love or support for one another.

“The Nigerian entertainment industry is so dark,” Ogbodo emphasized, “People there are wicked, vile, and envious. They won’t rejoice with those who are rejoicing because they want to be in that person’s place.”

She urged stakeholders to address the underlying issues plaguing the Nigerian entertainment landscape and foster a culture of support and solidarity.

Operatives of a neighbourhood security outfit, Oluyole Security Network have arrested a bricklayer and an operator of a commercial motorcycle otherwise called okada for allegedly raping and impregnating a 14-year-old teenager in Ibadan, Oyo.

One of the suspects, Sodeeq Ojediran, admitted forcibly sleeping with the girl.

According to TheNation report, the 30-year-old bricklayer tricked the minor to his house where he raped her.

Also explaining his complicity in the saga, the second suspect, 27-year-old Okebukola, a commercial motorcycle operator, said she met the victim in December 2023 and asked her to be his girlfriend.

“She declined my request to know her parents and I took her to my house where she spent one week with me.

“My landlord was not happy about the fact that she is a teenager. So he asked me to send her away from my house.

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“She came back to me two Sundays ago and I made love to her again.

“I didn’t ask for her hand in marriage and I did not deflower her at all, but I slept with her.

“I am an okada operator and she boarded my motorbike in Ayegun area of Ibadan.

“She was to pay N300 as fare but instead, she paid me N200. I stirred a conversation with her and collected her mobile phone number.

“Three days later, I told her to come with me to a church for prayers. But instead of taking her to a church, I took her to my house where I slept with her.

“However, I did not sleep with her every day, but she is carrying a two-month pregnancy,” he disclosed.

On her part, the victim said she stopped schooling after her father died.

She recalled that her father was the first to sleep with her when she was younger, after which she left home.

“I was in Primary 6 when my father died and I stopped going to school since then.

“My mother is the one that ruined my life because after my father was buried, everyone told my mother to use part of the cash gifts given to her by sympathisers to send me to school but she refused.

“Instead, she took me to the home of her first child from her previous marriage,” she narrated.

Baba Dee, the veteran Nigerian singer and rapper, whose real name is Dare Fasasi, has shared insights into his brother’s passing, Sound Sultan, and the illness that ultimately claimed his life during an appearance on Teju Babyface’s podcast.

The former music executive disclosed that six months before Sound Sultan’s demise, he had a premonition that his time was limited, despite receiving treatment from one of the world’s leading Hodgkin’s lymphoma hospitals.

In an emotional revelation, he recounted how his brother informed him about the doctor’s grim prognosis, saying, “This is the first time I am talking about this but everything happened very fast. He told me, ‘Dee, the doctor said I don’t have time.’

That was the first time I was hearing that kind of thing. He was okay; we were in the studio recording, and he flipped it on me. I couldn’t do anything again; I was like, ‘What is this guy saying?’

And he said again, ‘The doctor said I don’t have time.” Fasasi recounted, tears evident in his eyes.

Water producers have asked the federal government to address the increasing cost of nylon to halt further increases in the prices of sachet water.

The National President of the Association For Table Water Producers (ATWAP), Dr. Clementina Ativie, made this request during an event commemorating this year’s World Water Day, themed “Water for Peace,” held at EXPOYO in Sango, Ibadan, on Friday.

Noting that nylon is the primary material for packaging water, with no viable alternative, the water producers asked Nigerians to bear with the rapid escalation of their production costs and the consequent increase in the cost of sachet water until the government intervenes. Due to the skyrocketing cost of production, Ativie stated that over 30,000 water producers were on the verge of closing down their factories.

According to Ativie, the water producers were dismayed by the increasing cost of sachet water, which compelled Nigerians to seek alternatives that are largely not potable.

She warned that the consequences of people not being able to afford potable water were grave, especially regarding susceptibility to waterborne diseases and the proliferation of unregulated sachet water producers.

To ensure the production of potable and affordable sachet water, Ativie urged the government to address the increasing cost of nylon and provide support for water producers to prevent factory closures. On tackling unregulated producers, she called for collaboration between regulatory agencies and ATWAP, emphasizing that regulatory agencies had the primary responsibility.

Ativie remarked, “Just last month, I addressed a press conference in Lagos where ATWAP appealed to the federal government to save the water industry from total collapse by providing financial support to the association to enhance the business of our members, numbering over 30,000 water producers across the country, and to address the rapid escalation of our production costs, thereby making sachet water, popularly known as pure water, almost unaffordable for the masses.

At the same time, we appealed to Nigerians to bear with us. Suffice it to say, as an association, we have always considered the interests of Nigerians our top priority.

Packaged water producers in Nigeria understand the importance of providing affordable and safe drinking water to citizens, and we strive to do so while also grappling with rising production costs. Nylon is our primary material for packaging, and we have no viable alternatives.

Therefore, we urgently require support from the government given the economic realities to prevent factory closures by our members and the resulting job losses and waterborne diseases that would follow if the water industry were allowed to collapse.

The population explosion, coupled with human developmental activities, has further exacerbated the scarcity of potable water, leading to increased demand for groundwater abstraction and purification for specific intended uses.”

Operatives of the Kaduna State Police Command have arrested one Yakubu Saidu, a suspected bandit leader who masterminded the September 2023 attack on St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state.

In the attack, the bandits set ablaze the priest’s house, burning a seminarian, Stephen Naaman, in the process.

The Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan said the suspect was arrested at Zangon Urban on Friday due to diligent pursuit of the case.

According to the PPRO, “In a commendable display of swift action and dedication to public safety, the Kaduna State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner CP Ali Audu Dabigi, psc, has successfully apprehended a notorious kidnapper, Yakubu Saidu, also known as Ismail ‘M’ who was involved in banditry, culpable homicide and mischief by fire.

“On 07 of September 2023, at approximately 2030hrs, the Officer in Charge of Fadan Kamanta, Zonkwa, alerted authorities of a distressing situation at St. Raphael Catholic Church, Kamantan, where suspected kidnappers had launched an attack.

“Despite the urgency of the situation, police operatives, in collaboration with military personnel, swiftly mobilized to the scene. Regrettably, the suspects had already set ablaze the priest’s residence before the arrival of the security personnel.

As the crisis in the Labour Party continues to fester, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the National Legal Adviser of the Labour Party to desist from validating the “illegal Labour Party National Convention” scheduled for March 27, 2024.

In separate letters dated March 22, 2024, addressed to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, the LP National Legal Adviser, NLC warned that if the party did not desist and stop the Convention, it would sue the LP for contempt in view of the two valid judgements of the Federal High Court.

Recall on Wednesday, that members of the Nigeria Labour Congress picketed the offices of Labour Party nationwide, over alleged financial mismanagement by the Julius Abure-led national leadership of the party.

Also on March 20, that the Political Commission of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) directed state chapters of NLC to mobilise members to picket all Labour Party offices nationwide over the lingering political crisis in the party.

NLC had accused the embattled National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure of unilateral decision to hold a national convention of the party, amid financial rascality and contempt for the leadership of the NLC.

Meanwhile, NLC in the letter cited that the proposed National Convention of the Labour Party is in violation of the valid orders of court in suit “Nos; (1) FHC/ABJ/CS/491/2021;

(2) FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014

Between; (1) Labour Party & 9 Ors Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors;

(2) Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & 8 Ors.”

In the letter signed by Marshal Abubakar, LP of the Falana and Falana Chambers, solicitors to the NLC, the union specifically warned the National Legal Officer of LP that if the convention holds in violation of the orders of the court, it would not only institute contempt proceedings against him being party to the two judgements of the court, but will report him to the disciplinary committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The organised labour also appealed to INEC chairman to restrain officials of the Commission from undermining the due administration of justice and respect for rule of law by attending the illegal convention.

Titled: “Request To Desist From Validating The Illegal Labour Party National Convention Scheduled For March 27, 2024,” the letter addressed to Legal Adviser to LP partly read: “We are solicitors to the Nigeria Labour Congress on whose behalf we write this letter.

“It has come to our notice that Mr. Julius Abure, the Chairman of the Labour Party and a handful of his supporters are planning to hold a National Convention of the Labour Party on 27th March, 2024 at Abia, Abia State with the active connivance of some officials of the Commission under your able leadership.

“As you are no doubt aware, a National Convention conducted by the Abure faction will be violative of the judgement of the Federal High Court in Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed, where the court had declared the Labour Party as “an institutional political party founded, promoted and registered by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on behalf of the Nigerian Workers.” and thus ordered the factions to “convene an expansive and inclusive National Convention of the party.”

“Similarly, the plaintiffs in Suit no; FHC/ABJ/CS/ 491/2021 between Labour Party & 9 Ors. Vs Barrister Julius Abure & 2 Ors. had approached the Federal High Court seeking inter alia; an order of injunction in favour of the plainiffs restraining the 1st (Barrister Julius Abure), 2nd (Umar Farouk) 3rd (Barr. Akingbade Samuel Oyelakin) defendants or any and/or all of the national officers appointed in any manner violative of the orders of the federal high court in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/866/2014 between Labour Party & 3 Ors. Vs Com. Salisu Muhammed & Ors.

“In a well-considered ruling, the Federal High Court on Friday July, 23, 2021 ruled, “An order is hereby made for the parties to maintain status quo ante bellum in other not to disturb the res of the matter pending further order of this Court.” Attached is a CTC of the Order.

“Worthy of note is the fact that you were the counsel on record and indeed represented the 1st to 3rd Respondents in the foregoing suit.

“In view of the foregoing, we are compelled to urge you to refrain yourself and properly advise your clients to desist from proceeding with the illegal national convention of the labour party scheduled for March 27, 2024.

“Upon failing, we shall institute contempt proceedings against you and the other defendants and report you to the disciplinary committee of the NBA.

“Whilst anticipating your cooperation and understanding, please, accept as usual, our professional regards.”

Ex-spokesperson for the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Organisation, Daniel Bwala, has alleged an ongoing plot by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 Presidential Election, Peter Obi, to dump LP and join immediate past Kaduna Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, in the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In a post on his X handle on Friday, Bwala alleged that Obi was perfecting plans to take leave of the LP as a result of the seemingly intractable conflict between the party leadership and the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Recall that Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party to join the LP in May 2023 ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Bwala, in a post on his X handle. wrote, “Peter Obi @PeterObi allegedly planning to unite with El-rufai @elrufai in Social Democratic Party as Nigerian Labour Congress set to take ownership and custody of their political party, the @NgLabour.

BREAKING-PETER OBI @PETEROBI ALLEGEDLY PLANNING TO UNITE WITH EL-RUFAI @ELRUFAI IN SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY AS NIGERIAN LABOUR CONGRESS SET TO TAKE OWNERSHIP AND CUSTODY OF THEIR POLITICAL PARTY, THE @NGLABOUR. RECALL THAT THERE WAS A JUDGMENT OF COURT THAT STATES THAT NIGERIA…

— D. H BWALA (@BWALADANIEL) MARCH 22, 2024

“Recall that there was a judgment of court that states that Nigeria Labour Congress owns Labour Party. NLC is now prepared to take custody of that party.

“Twist and turns in the coming days. But all that will not give sleepless night to @officialABAT who himself has his magic wands to wield.”

When contacted, Chief Spokesman for the Obi/ Datti Presidential Campaign, Dr. Yunusa Tanko dismissed Bwala’s assertion as “a figment of his immagination.”

He said, “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t respond to this fiction. he (Bwala) is a politician who wants to remain relevant in the scheme of things. We’ve responded to the false narrative of our leader leaving the Labour Party in the past, this position has not changed.”

El-Rufai was sighted at the national secretariat of the Social Democratic Party, in Abuja, on Wednesday.

The Ex-Kaduna State Governor and APC chieftain was sighted in a viral video on social media during his consultation visit to the national chairman of the SDP, Alhaji Shehu Gabam.

Not much was heard from El-Rufai after the Senate refused to confirm his ministerial nomination in 2023.

After the screening of the 49 ministerial nominees sent by President Bola Tinubu, the Senate also declined to confirm the appointment of former Deputy Governor of Taraba State and another ministerial nominee from the state, Senator Abubakar Danladi.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, explained the Senate did not clear the nominees because of adverse security reports against them.

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) yesterday said it has secured the conviction of one Abubakar Sadiq Aremu for four years imprisonment for cheating and forgery of its annual return receipts.

In a statement , the commission pointed out that the convict was accused of uploading forged receipts to pay a company’s annual return on the CAC portal.

Aremu, was reportedly arraigned on March 21, 2023, before Upper Area Court Mpape Abuja, and pleaded guilty to the offense and was, therefore, sentenced by the presiding judge.

Reacting to the judgment, the Registrar-General/Chief Executive, CAC, Hussaini Ishaq Magaji, described the development as a milestone achievement for the commission.

He said the victory represented a major boost to his efforts to stem the activities of criminals trying to circumvent established processes and procedures in CAC.

The CAC boss, further emphasised that the commission was ready to go after anyone trying to flout its rules to strengthen the system for the benefit of the economy.

Separately, Magaji said the commission was prepared to work with stakeholders to ensure that issues related to the regulation of entities are seamlessly implemented.

During a familiarisation session with customers/stakeholders in Abuja, he said under his watch that the commission will continuously engage with software vendors to improve areas that require urgent attention to make the Companies Registration Portal (CRP) perform optimally.

He said, “This will resolve problems associated with delays in service delivery. The commission has also initiated reviewing our operational checklist to bring it up to speed with international best practices.

“This will go a long way in simplifying our processes and also reduce the time cycle for our services and product delivery.

“We are also reorganising the call center to make it a response center that will attend to customer complaints and inquiries within 24 hours.”

Magaji said, “This will also address the anxiety of resolving issues promptly and addressing the overall expectations of customers and stakeholders.

“I will be engaging and collaborating with all of you continuously to get inputs and suggestions that will ensure a good experience in service delivery as we move forward on this journey.”

On Saturday, the World Institute for Peace issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government, demanding that security agents arrest and interrogate Sheik Ahmad Gumi to ascertain the extent of his involvement in the ongoing insecurity plaguing the country.

The group’s chairman, Lamina Kamiludeen, in a statement in Osogbo on Saturday, queried incessant outbursts of Gumi against the Nigerian Military and other security agents whenever they take action against bandits and terrorists.

At different times in the past, Sheik Gumi has made controversial remarks about military campaigns against insurgence and banditry in the north.

On Wednesday, while speaking on “When will there be an end to Nigeria’s recurring abductions?” organised by Daily Trust via X space, Gumi said, “To them (military) they are fighting a war. Honestly, the military has been very hard on them, the Air Force is killing their families.”

Kamiludeen, who asked the Federal Government if he was above the law, said inflammatory statements by the cleric not only undermined the efforts of the security forces but would also embolden perpetrators of the crime to continue creating security challenges across the country.

The release further read partly, “His continuous criticism and condemnation of the efforts of the security forces send signals that Gumi may be among the sponsors of the insecurity in Nigeria. Nigeria security agents must take immediate action to question Sheik Gumi regarding his involvement in the ongoing insecurity in the country.

“His actions constitute a threat to national security and must be addressed with urgency. Or is Gumi above the law? Action must the taken to prove that no one is above the law of the land.”