Six protesters have been reportedly shot dead, with many others sustaining injuries in the ongoing hardship protest in Suleja, Niger State.

Naija News learnt that the victims were killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted a barricade on a section of the Abuja-Kaduna highway, trapping motorists for several hours. 

However, an uproar occurred after the arrival of the reinforcement team, which was sent to restore sanity to the area.

A resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, identified as Yahaya Nda Isah, was reportedly hit by a stray bullet while on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division, where protesters had assembled.

A nephew of the deceased who spoke with Daily Trust said his uncle was on his bike without joining the ongoing protest when the bullet fired to disperse the protesters hit him on his chest, and he died on the spot.

He said, “He was my uncle. He was not even protesting. He was passing in front of the Police ‘A’ division where some people were protesting when stray Bullet hit him on his chest and he died. As I speak with you, I am in his house alongside other mourners. It’s unfortunate.”

Another victim identified as Mallam Abu also said died on the spot with three other people shot at the same scene while 2 others were shot at the Suleja Junction on Abuja-Kaduna road.

Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said some hoodlums also attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze, but security operatives dispersed them.

He said, “The miscreants attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze, they were dispersed by the Police and military. Kaduna road and toll gate was cleared.”

A tense standoff between angry youths and police officers has erupted at the Kurudu Axis in Abuja, with protesters blocking the road using burning tires and refusing to allow vehicles to pass.

Despite attempts by the police to engage in dialogue and disperse the crowd using tear gas, the situation remains volatile.

The youths, fueled by frustration and anger, are demanding attention to their grievances, while the police are working to maintain order and restore normalcy to the area. The confrontation has brought traffic to a standstill, causing disruptions to daily activities.

As the situation continues to unfold, concerns about safety and potential escalation are growing. The use of tear gas by the police has added to the tensions, and it remains to be seen how the situation will be resolved.

Two parallel groups, for and against Tinubu’s government staged their protest in Yola as security agents averted a clash by the two groups.

As the two groups marched in opposite routes, the situation got tensed, as they started infiltrating into each other leading to commotion and verbal abuse.

The presence of heavily armed personnel prevented the situation from degenerating into a free for all fight.

No breach of peace has been recorded in Adamawa, even as the situation has created fear among the people.

….Warns against any attempt to arrest Obi

National Chairman of Abia State Elders Consultative Forum, Archbishop Professor Princewilll Ariwodor, has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to honourablly quit if he had no solution to the crumbling Nigerian economy.

The cleric who was recently elected the world President of International College and Council of Bishops and Apostles, ICCOBA, in Dublin, spoke with Vanguard in the wake of the nationwide protest against hunger and bad governance.

He argued that the President should not have made himself available to lead the country if he knew he had no solution to the challenges plaguing the nation particularly the hardship created by his anti-people policies.

Professor Ariwodor cautioned Government against any attempt to scare citizens from holding peaceful protest, describing such as an ambush against democracy.

He described the precarious economic situation in the country, and called for urgent action to revamp it.

“We have never experienced this level of decay in the economic management of this country. Other leaders were in one way or the other better than the current Government.

” Tinubu should resign if he is unable to fix the economy. The Nigeria economy was far better before he took over. Buhari handed over to him a better economy which he has now destroyed.

” But his allies and psychopaths don’t tell him the truth. Nigerians are suffering, there is no pretense.”

Archbishop Ariwodor warned against use of force to suppress the nationwide protest, insisting that Nigerians have right to peaceful protest.

 “Nigerians are hungry and have the constitutional right to express their grievances through peaceful protest.

” The people are not violent, so, why will you apply force against peaceful protesters?

” Why will you flog people and ask them not to cry? You are flogging the nation and shouldn’t ask the people not to cry.

” Government should listen to public opinions. Pressure groups, provided they are not violent, make Governments to sit up. “

The Abia Elders Consultative Forum helmsman, also warned against any attempt to arrest the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, for speaking truth to power.

He said that Obi should not be persecuted for constructively criticising the Tinubu-led administration over its poor management of the economy.

Archbishop Ariwodor declared support for Obi and other Nigerians who had criticised the bad policies of Government, or declared support for  peaceful protest.

” Abia elders solidly stand behind Obi. And if anybody attempts to arrest him, we will all march to Abuja, and they should get ready to slaughter all of us there. If anybody touches him for speaking the truth, the person should be ready to kill all of us.

” I spoke with Obasanjo and I agree with his advice to Tinubu that peaceful protesters should not be touched. This is democracy. I totally endorse the position of the former President in the statement he had issued.”

The cleric disagreed with those calling for the shelving of the nationwide protest, accusing them of deceiving the President for personal gains.

“We want to dissociate ourselves with the advice of Igbo leaders who found themselves in position of authority, and do not see the level of suffering of the Nigerian masses as a result of bad governance.

” Why will you want people to keep quiet and remain in the House when a cup of beans is N600 and two cups of garri N500?”

He, however, advised the protesters not to go violent but express their grievances within the ambit of the law.

The Nigerian Bar Association has announced that it is offering free legal support services for protesters whose fundamental human rights may be violated during the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.

The association’s President, Yakubu Maikyau, in a statement on Thursday, August 1, through the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, disclosed that directives have been sent out to all chairpersons of the 130 branches of the association to take up any case(s) of breach of fundamental human rights of persons involved in the protest.

However, he advised protesters to carry out their activities peacefully. He also urged law enforcement agents to be professional and respect the human rights of others in the discharge of their duty.

The statement read: "The President of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, has yesterday, July 31, 2024, directed all the Chairmen/Chairpersons of the 130 Branches of the NBA to ensure that their respective Human Rights Committees take up observed or reported cases of breach of fundamental right (s) of any citizen, harassment, intimidation or torture perpetrated by law enforcement agents, the protesters or other identified members of the public in the course of the protest.

"Chairmen/chairpersons of NBA nranches have also been directed to set up Situation Monitoring Committees to monitor and report activities and interactions between law enforcement agents and protesters. To this end, an online monitoring form has been provided, and it can be accessed from the link https://rb.gy/q5xqg7.

"Members of the SMC and other members of the NBA engaged in the monitoring exercise are encouraged to complete the form and submit same for NBA’s record and further action where necessary."

It added, "To ensure effective coordination of this endeavor, the NBA has established Legal Support Services Teams across the country headed by the first Vice President of the NBA, Mrs. Linda Rose Bala; the Chairman NBA-SPIDEL, Sir Steve Adehi, (SAN); and the Chairman, NBA Human Rights Institute; Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, (SAN). The NBA President has also written to the Inspector General of Police to collaborate with the NBA in this regard.

"As the protest commences today,  August 1, 2024, the NBA wishes to encourage citizens, including members of the NBA who are joining the protest to exercise their right peacefully and within the bounds of the law. The security agencies are also urged to be professional and observe human rights in their duty to enforce the law."

The hunger protest, geared towards bringing the government’s attention to the economic hardship currently being faced by its citizens, is scheduled to hold in all 36 states of the country and the FCT. It starts today, August 1, and will last till August 10.

Members of opposition parties in the House of Representatives yesterday staged a walkout over a bill seeking to raise the ways and means cash advances from five to 10 per cent.

The walk out came at plenary, after an amendment by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, that the ways and means be reduced to two per cent was rejected.

Section (38) of the CBN Act (2007) provides that the advance by the apex bank, in the form of ways and means, must not exceed five per cent of the previous year’s revenue of the federal government.

Chinda moved the amendment during the consideration of the report on the bill at the committee of the whole, saying this would enhance transparency in federal government’s spending.

The report proposed raising the ways and means advances from the existing five to 15 per cent.

Chairman of the Committee on Finance, James Faleke, however, opposed Chinda’s amendment, urging the House not to go below the five per cent in the Act.

“For us to move on, we need to move up. For the issue of transparency and accountability, the Committee (on Banking and Currency) has the responsibility to oversight,” he said.

Contributing to the debate, Ibrahim Isiaka, a lawmaker from Ogun State, supported Faleke’s position, proposing that it should be raised from five to 10 per cent.

On his part, former deputy speaker of the House, Idris Wase, from Plateau State, moved a motion for an amendment that 10 per cent should be maintained.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker and presiding officer, appealed to members for understanding, in view of the recent increase in the minimum wage of workers, saying the government needed more money.

Hardship: NLC, CSOs unimpressed as Reps cut salaries by 50% for 6 months
“There is gap, and funding has to come from somewhere to bridge the gap in meeting government’s obligations,” he said.

Consequently, he called for a voice vote on Wase’s amendment motion, the “nays” were louder than the “ayes,” but he ruled in favour of the “ayes.”

This provoked the lawmakers who loudly expressed their dissent with a repeated “no”.

It was at this point the opposition lawmakers, led by Chinda, walked out of plenary.

Subsequently, the report was adopted and passed for third reading.

Ways and means is a loan facility through which the CBN finances federal government’s budget shortfalls.

The CBN law limits advances under ways and means to five per cent of the previous year’s revenue, but this has been observed in breach over the years.

On May 23, 2023, the Senate approved N22.7 trillion ways and means loan, thereby securitising the debt, following a request by former President Muhammadu Buhari on December 28, 2022, asking the lawmakers to do so.

In January 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari told the Senate it would cost the Federal Government about N1.8 trillion in interest if the National Assembly failed to approve the N22.7 trillion in extra-budgetary spending.

The Department of State Security Services, DSS, has said that the abduction of the former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, EKSU, Prof. Olorunfemi Olaofe, was masterminded by his domestic staff.

Olaofe was kidnapped from his residence in a housing estate along Afao Road in Ado-Ekiti on July 9, 2024.

In a statement in Ado Ekiti, DSS confirmed that the kidnapping was carried out by a gang of seven who were invited by the househelp to his residence, located at Plot 12, 15th Avenue, Federal Housing Phase II, Ado Ekiti, on July 9, 2024.

The statement confirmed that further investigation by the operatives of the command led to the discovery of Olaofe’s remains buried in a shallow grave at a farm settlement along Airport Road, Afao-Ekiti.

It confirmed that the case would soon be transferred to the state police command for prosecution, having established a case of homicide.

Clinical Japan beat Nigeria 3-1 in the final Group C women’s football event at the Paris Olympics to send the African giants home, The PUNCH reports.

First-half goals from Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka, and Hikaru Kitagawa ensured that Futoshi Ikeda’s ladies finished second in the group to book a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament at the expense of Nigeria.

Randy Waldrum kept faith in the side that lost 1-0 to Spain in their second game, with Chiamaka Nnadozie starting in goal for the Falcons while Michelle Alozie, Tosin Demehin, Chidinma Okeke, and Osinachi Ohale played in defence.

The duo Christy Ucheibe and Deborah Abiodun played in the pivot positions with Jennifer Echegini, Rasheedat Ajibade, and Toni Payne in midfield, while Asisat Oshoala played in the attack.

From the sound of the whistle, the Falcons ceded possession to their opponents, allowing the 2011 Women’s World Cup winners to dictate play.

Mina Tanaka tested Nnadozie in the 6th minute, but the goalkeeper comfortably saved the half-volley shot from the winger.

There was a scary moment for the Falcons in the 16th minute as the Asians had a glorious chance to score the opener, but the shot was well blocked by Ohale. 

Four minutes later, Japan took advantage of a poor defensive, with their pressure eventually paying off in the 22nd minute as Maika Hamano Cooly finished off a fine pass from Riko Ueki, who beat Nigeria’s offside trap.

Futoshi Ikeda’s side continued to dominate possession and almost got the second goal three minutes after scoring the opener.

Ten minutes after breaking the deadlock, the Japanese got the second goal as Mina Tanaka was the quickest to react to a Ueki fine header that hit the crossbar.

There was a shout for a handball in the 34th minute after Ajibade’s fine cross hit the hand of Rion Ishikawa, but the referee allowed play to continue to the disappointment of the Falcons.

The Falcons began to take control of possession and were rewarded for their effort in the 42nd minute. Following a neat exchange of passes between Abidoun and Echegini, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder rifled a shot into the top corner to beat Ayaka Yamashita and get Nigeria back into the game.

However, five minutes into the additional time of the first 45 minutes, left-back Hikaru Kitagawa ended any hope of a comeback for Nigeria as her curly shot from the set piece beat Nnadozie to restore the Asian two-goal lead.

Just two minutes into the second half, Echegini almost got the second goal for Nigeria. The midfielder drifted in from the left blank, but her shot was headed out by the Japanese defender.

In the 54th minute, Venezuela referee Emikar Calderas awarded Japan a penalty after Ajibade was adjudged to have committed a foul in the penalty box, but the decision was overruled by the VAR.

The Falcons threw everything in their arsenal at the Asians, hoping to get back in the game, but they were unable to beat their opponent’s defence for the second time.

With the clock ticking down, the 11-time Africa champions went all out in search of a consolation goal but wasted several chances to find the back of the net.

The defeat means the Falcons are out of the tournament after losing all their three group games to finish bottom of Group C with zero points.

The All Progressives Congress (APC), Spain chapter, has urged organisers of the proposed nationwide protest to be patient with President Bola Tinubu rather than plunge Nigeria into anarchy with the planned demonstration.

The organising secretary of the chapter, Julius Fayemi, in a statement on Wednesday, urged Nigerian youths to disregard anyone calling for protest in the country.

Mr Fayemi, however, said that no one was disputing the right to protest in any democratic society to remind the ruling party that “power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

“Nigerians should be patient and dialogue; this is not the time to put the state into anarchy.

“If any analyst is telling the ‘Gen Z’ and the Millennium generations to protest peacefully without being hijacked by hoodlums, it is a lie from the pit of hell.

“If we review the list of protests in Nigeria in the era of colonial rule to date, can anyone point out and tell the world which protest ended peacefully?” he said.

He highlighted some protests that had left sour tastes in the mouth, including the Aba riot against taxation imposed by the colonial government in 1929 and the Egba women’s riot in the Palace of Oba Ladapo Ademola II in 1947.

He also listed the “Ali Must Go” riot against Segun Okeowo and Ahmadu Ali because of increments of 50 kobo school fees in 1978 and the protest against Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) organised by the National Union of Nigeria Students in 1989.

“We all witnessed the protest in Nigeria against the annulment of the election by the military regime in 1993 and that of the removal of fuel subsidy by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

“#EndSars 2020 is still in our memory. If any politician comes on any social media or platforms where youth should protest instead of dialogue, he or she is playing to the gallery.

“In all these protests, there was none that ended without claiming lives and properties.

“When the chips are down, the bourgeois and the privileged will leave the shore of Nigeria for safety.”

According to him, Nigeria must discourage and disregard the jingle of protest and join hands to move the country forward.

The APC chieftain said that Nigeria must cherish its unbroken 25 years of democracy, saying, “worst of civilian government is better than the best military.”

“Let’s allow this government to correct the mistakes of their predecessors. After all, hardship did not start today. Allow Mr President to focus and diagnose the problem, and a solution is around the corner.

“No government is perfect; one year may not be enough for the Tinubu administration to correct and change Nigeria. We are not ready to repeat the #EndSars protest,” he said.

Mr Fayemi, however, urged the government to talk to the youth and not talk at the youth, saying the problems facing the country were accumulated and not created by Mr Tinubu.

“Democracy is about dialogue. Nobody is saying protest is not part of democracy, but it should not be political.

“We know that the demands of the protesters are legitimate, but give the current government time to correct the anomalies.

“Give this regime time to ameliorate the suffering of the people because the agitation goes beyond the administration,” he said.

There have been so many controversies around some youth groups planning a nationwide protest from August 1 to 10 to demand the government’s solutions to rising costs of living and economic hardship.

(NAN)

The Nigeria Labour Congress, on Wednesday, threatened a showdown as the Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Yahaya, declared that the state would not be able to pay the N70,000  new minimum wage.

President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage bill into law on Monday, making N70,000 payment mandatory.

But the Gombe governor, while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on Tuesday at the state Government House in Gombe, said, “I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament.”

In an interview with our correspondent on Wednesday, the NLC Secretary in Gombe State, Ibrahim Fika, said the declaration by the Gombe governor, who is also the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, was a recipe for renewed struggle by organised labour.

The NLC scribe said, “The governor has said his mind before us. We are anticipating the table of the national headquarters for the adjustment; from there we will start our own struggle because as we all know, the new minimum wage is now a law after passing through scrutiny in the legislature and getting the presidential assent.

“We don’t see the reason why a governor will say he can’t afford to pay N70,000. We are expecting governors to pay more than that, not less. We will do our possible best to see that Gombe enjoys the new minimum wage by God’s grace.”