Umahi Orders Arrest Of Those Behind Video Of Fulani Herdsmen Being Chased Out Of Ebonyi

January 4, 2021

The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has ordered the arrest of those who are circulating a video on social media that Fulani herdsmen were being attacked and chased out of the state.

The Governor, who addressed news men today, January 4 in Abakaliki, the state capital, said that the video was faked, and asked security agencies to investigate the source of the video and arrest the circulators.

The governor said the video had caused panic and tension.

“Security personnel must ensure that those behind the circulation of the video, which has caused panic across the country, are brought to book.

“We must increase our security surveillance at the grassroots level. I urge the security agencies to step up and arrest persons circulating the video on social media,’’ Umahi said.

This was even as the Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Ebonyi Chapter, Mr Inusa Sani, condemned the misleading video, saying: “it is fake news.”

“The video is an orchestrated attempt by mischief makers and enemies of peace.

“What happened was that on Jan. 2, one of us, Alhaji Adamu, residing at Ozibo Village in Nkaleke Ichaba/Enyibishiri community, informed the association of his relocation to Taraba State.

“I use this opportunity to urge the general public to disregard the video in circulation and no Fulani herdsman was attacked or chased out of Ebonyi State..”

He said that herdsmen had co-habited peacefully with their host communities without any fear, molestation, threat or intimidation from any quarter.

The Police Command in Ebonyi had on Sunday issued a statement saying that Fulani herdsmen were not attacked or being chased out of the state.

Also speaking at the news conference, Philip Maku, Commissioner of Police in the state, assured the public of the Command’s readiness to protect lives and property.

“The general public should disregard the video in circulation, which is misleading and fake. Keep going about your normal business and support the security agencies and state government at ensuring that those behind the evil plot are fished out,’’ Maku admonished.

Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Keneth Igwe, said that the distorted and misleading video was propagated by the enemies of Ebonyi.

“We cannot keep quiet on any issue that is trying to tarnish the image of our dear state or cause disorder. We have enjoyed maximum peace with our Fulani brothers.

“The security chiefs are here and there is no incident of an attack on herders in the state; we therefore urge the general public to disregard the misleading video.”

Court Remands Sowore, Others Over New Year Eve Protest March In Abuja

Editorial staff

January 4, 2021

An Abuja Magistrate’s court has ordered the remand in Kuje correctional centre, Abuja, of the the publisher of Sahara Reporters online newspaper, Omoyele Sowore and four others over an alleged protest march they participated in Abuja on New Year eve.

They are being charged with criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly and public disturbance.

Magistrate Mabel Segun-Bello of the Magistrates’ Court, Wuse Zone 2, who gave the order today, January 4, said that they will remain in the correctional centre pending the consideration of their applications for bail.

Sowore, Juwon Sanyaolu, Peter Williams, Emmanuel Bulus and Damilare Adenola were arraigned on three-count charge brought against them by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

They were arrested by the Special Weapons Tactical Team of the NPF in Abuja over their alleged participation in a protest march a day before the New Year celebration.
The prosecution said that the defendants were arrested on New Year eve with placards calling for a violent revolution against President Muhammadu Buhari.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Magistrate adjourned the case to tomorrow, January 5, for hearing of their bail applications.

Sowore and another of his associates, Olawale Bakare are also standing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja, in which they are charged with treasonable felony after he organized the #RevolutionNow protest in 2019.

They were alleged to have conspired to stage a revolution campaign on August 5, 2019, tagged “#Revolution Now,” aimed at removing President Buhari from office as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during his term of office, otherwise than by constitutional means.

Information Minister Describes Those Saying Nigeria Is Failed State As Jaundiced Analysts

Editorial staff

January 4, 2021

Information Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that those who are saying that Nigeria is a failed State are “jaundiced analysts.”

The Minister, at a New Year media briefing in Lagos, said that such analysts had constituted themselves into another ‘fighting force’ against the Federal Government.

“You would remember that for the past two decades or so, some pseudo-analysts have been predicting the country’s implosion.

“That has not happened, hence they have found a new watchword – failing or failed state!

“It’s all a ruse aimed at depicting Nigeria as being in a constant state of anarchy so they can achieve their nefarious objectives for the country.

“If Nigeria was not a ‘failing’ state when a large slice of its territory equivalent to the size of Belgium was under the occupation of Boko Haram, which collected taxes, installed and deposed emirs, is it now that no territory is under the terrorists that Nigeria will be a failing state?

“If Nigeria was not a failed state when bombs were raining on towns and cities in Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Yobe, FCT and other states, is it now that such bombings have stopped that Nigeria will be described as a ‘failing’ state?

“If Nigeria was not a ‘failing’ state in those years that Christian and Muslim worshippers needed to be screened to even enter their places of worship, is it now that the siege on places of worship has ceased that Nigeria will be described as a ‘failing’ state?’’

Lai Mohammed said that the insecurity was worst in the country before Buhari emerged president, asking: “have we forgotten the constant attacks on military and security formations like Giwa Barracks (Maiduguri), Mohammed Kur Barracks (Bama), Monguno Barracks (Monguno), Airforce Base (Maiduguri), New Prison (Maiduguri) and numerous police stations?

“The fact that these attacks and bombings have stopped is a testimony to the progress we have made in tackling terrorism which, by the way, is not like conventional warfare.

“The stoppage of the attacks didn’t happen by accident. It is therefore mischievous for anyone to discountenance the progress we have made in tackling insecurity, in building and upgrading infrastructure and in diversifying the economy, among others.

“The Federal Government rejects this characterisation of Nigeria as a ‘failing’ state, which is a combination of the wishful thinking of naysayers and the evil machinations of those who don’t wish Nigeria well.”

Source: The Punch.

Atiku Scampers Out Of Intels, Sells His investment To Escape Political Brickbats

Editorial staff

January 4, 2021

Former Nigeria Vice President and co-founder of Integrated Logistics Services Nigeria Limited (Intels), Atiku Abubakar, has sold his shares in Intels.
In a statement today, January 4, Atiku attributed his disinvestment in the company to the fact that “this Government has been preoccupied with destroying a legitimate business that was employing thousands of Nigerians because of politics.”
The statement quoted Atiku as complaining that “there should be a marked difference between Politics and Business.”

Atiku, who contested the 2019 Presidential election on the platform of the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had redirected his investment to other sectors of the economy for returns and creation of jobs.

Amotekun Operative Shoots Policeman In Oyo

Editorial staff

January 4, 2021

An operative of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Operation Amotekun, has been arrested for allegedly shooting a policeman.

The incident occurred over the weekend at Sanga area of Oyo town around 3pm during a carnival.

The Amotekun officer, Ibrahim Ogundele opened fire on Fatai Yekini, a special police constable, when the police team from Ojongbodu arrived at the scene of the carnival to drive those gathered there away.

Oyo State police spokesperson, Olugbenga Fadeyi said that the Amotekun operative is being held for further questioning while the policeman is currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital.

“This happened when policemen at Ojongbodu Division, Oyo were responding to calls to dislodge recalcitrant youths staging carnival after several warnings that such should not be staged.

“The Amotekun personnel has since been arrested and currently being investigated at Ojongbodu Police station.”

Source: Qed.ng

Buhari Describes Boko Haram As Vicious Enemies Of Humanity, Calls For United Action

Editorial staff

January 3, 2021

File photo: Boko Haram members in operation

President Muhammadu Buhari has described Boko Haram insurgents as vicious enemies of humanity, saying that African leaders need a united action to defeat them.

“We are facing grave security challenges on account of the evil campaign of indiscriminate violence by terrorists in the Sahel and only united action can help us defeat these vicious enemies of humanity.”

President Buhari, in a sympathy message today, January 3, on the killing of 70 people in Zaroumdareye, a border town between Niger Republic and Mali by Boko Haram fighters,

According to the President, terrorism has now become “like a contagion of evil that can spread anytime if united action is not taken.”

He said that instability in one part of Africa had implications for the security of others, recalling that the destabilisation of Libya in 2011 is producing domino effects on the security of other African countries including Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and others.

“The looting of Libyan armouries in the aftermath of Gaddafi’s fall has put dangerous weapons into the hands of terrorists and other criminals who now pose security challenges to other countries.”

“We are united by common fate and therefore we must act in concert to defeat these evil men who target innocent people.

“Let me use this opportunity to express my deepest sympathy for the government, the people of Niger and the families of the victims.”

2023: Presidency Will Not Be Handed Over To Igbo Just Like That, Yakassai Says

Editorial staff

January 3, 2021

A founding member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, has said that the presidency will not be handed over to the Igbos of the Southeast in 2023 on a platter of gold as they have to work hard to get a chance.

Yakassai who was interacting with journalists at his Kano home today, December 3, a few days after celebrating his 94th birthday, said there is nothing wrong with the clamour for an Igbo President come 2023, but that they must not expect it to be given to them just like that, believing that the North will not speak with one voice on the issue of zoning of the presidency ahead of the 2023 elections.

“My advice to my Igbo brothers and friends is that they should work hard for it because the slot will not be handed over to them just because they clamour for it. It is not done that way.”

Yakassai said that there is no constitutional provision for power shift but that some leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) want to have a “gentleman’s agreement that the nation’s highest office should rotate to the southeast after Buhari’s tenure.”

He acknowledged the Southeast has sufficient grounds to seek the highest office, but that hard work, rather than a mere wish, is what will make Igbo presidency a reality.

“The Presidency has never been given to any zone for free. It always comes through voting. I want the South-East to have the opportunity to produce the President because the South-West had it in Olusegun Obasanjo.

“The South-South had in Goodluck Jonathan. The North-West had it in Umaru Yar’Adua and again in Muhammadu Buhari. But the seat or ticket has never been given free of charge. You have to work for it.

“Election is a matter of convincing people and presenting your programmes to them. You tell them how their lives will be better off and all that. In the end, they will settle for the person they believe will impact more on them.”

Nigerians Will Not Welcome PDP, The University Of Lies In 2023

Editorial staff

January 3, 2021

These days, so many people are saying so many things, indulging mostly in the abuses of others and as official spokespersons we make the deliberate choice of staying out for the most part.

But it is hard to ignore the shameful and disgraceful claims made by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP which is making the false claims that Nigerians are dissatisfied with the present and wished for the return to the years of locusts.

At the rate they are going, it is not for fetched to agree with another politician in describing the PDP as a “university of falsehood”, in which the bigger the lies their functionaries can tell, the higher in rank they are promoted to.

It is too soon for their evil records to be washed away or forgotten. They held onto the throne of power for sixteen years fighting for their own happiness, not that of the majority of Nigeria. They turned the country into a nation of scams promoting corruption to an industrial scale, exploiting the country’s oil, mineral and land resources for selfish reasons.

PDP’s lasting legacy will be the catastrophe that was the power expansion program in which USD 16 billion was taken from the treasury without a megawatt of electricity added to the grid system.

The Buhari-led administration is on the other hand fighting for the happiness of the majority of Nigerians, rebuilding a battered economy, putting in place long-delayed infrastructure and managing a novel coronavirus pandemic in a very competent and impressive manner as to earn the commendation of the World Health Organization, WHO.

In those their 16 years, a period in which a barrel of oil sold for as high as USD 140 Dollars, they blew a golden opportunity to grow the economy to soaring heights. They could have used the enormous earrings to increase power generation, modernise the rail and fix roads and bridges as the present administration is currently struggling, with lesser incomes to do. About 800 road projects are currently ongoing in the six geopolitical zones of the country.

The malaise of the PDP administration is manifested in the collapse of local food production, replaced by a daily average spending of USD 5 million in rice importation. Today, not a kobo from the central Bank of Nigeria is used to fund the importation of food. In effect, we eat what we grow. PDP broke the economy by killing industrialization. In those 16 years, textile industry, the largest employer was killed. Thirty eight major textile companies closed down business in Nigeria between 1999 and 2009. They killed the nation’s manufacturing competitiveness. The nation’s budding industry virtually fled to neighbouring countries – Ghana, Cote D’Ivore and far away Kenya were all transforming into manufacturing hubs at our expense. In 2006, two of Nigeria’s leading tyre manufacturers, Michelin and Dunlop, relocated their factories to Ghana citing epileptic energy supply in Nigeria as the chief reason.

Over those 16 years, PDP told stunning tales of economic growth and peddled rates as high as the windmill without industrial growth, without agricultural growth, without investment and without jobs for the teeming youths.

In sum total, they gave the nation a lost half-generation.

In terms of ease of doing business we have, as of today, gained 39 places up the ladder in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index from where we were 2015 and in two of these years, we were adjudged as being in the top ten of the reforming economies of the world. The Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) in 2017 completed a long-overdue revision of the list of activities that can benefit from Nigeria’s Pioneer Status Incentive, which grants beneficiary companies a 3 to 5-year tax holiday. The revision, done more than 10 ten years after the last one, has modernized the List, expanding the tax holiday incentives to qualifying companies in E-commerce, Software Development, Animation, Music, Film and TV.

The main reason for the defeat of the PDP in 2015 was corruption. The present administration at the center led by President Muhammadu Buhari has so far presented a corrupt-free image of itself. It has succeeded in abolishing grand corruption at the top. Today, you are sure that no one will call the Governor of Central and ask him to bring hard cash- Naira, Pounds, Dollars, Euro or Renminbi.

This is attested to by world leaders including the outgoing American President, Donald Trump who commended President Buhari for “significantly bringing down the level of corruption in the country.”

Today, we have given the world its best performing stock market. Covid economy notwithstanding, Nigeria stands as the number one country in Africa in the International Monetary Fund, IMF 2020 Economic Outlook’s rating of countries. Using countries’ GDPs, the IMF lists Nigeria among the world’s first 26 countries.

There are many today who take for granted the declared victory over the Boko Haram terrorists, forgetting the reign of the bomber who made it almost impossible for regular attendance in markets, Churches and Mosques in many of our cities, including the Federal Capital City, Abuja.

With increased procurement of military aircraft, weapons, equipment and ammunitions, the remaining task of ridding Borno State of Boko Haram is well on course.

Military procurements and increasing recruitment will ensure the the momentum of ridding the Northwestern and North Central States are equally rid of kidnapping, cattle rustling and banditry.

Yet, the so-called Nigeria’s major opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says many Nigerians who are already fed up with the “ Misrule“ of President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and are-hold your breath- yearning for its (PDP) return to power in 2023.

Don’t believe their toxic statements.

Garba Shehu, senior special assistant on media and publicity to the President, wrote in from Abuja.

Policeman Who Turned-Down N864 Million Bribe, Resigns Over Non-Promotion

Greenbarge Reporters

January 3, 2021

A police officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Francis Osagie Erhabor who is acclaimed to have never taken a bribe since over 30 years in active service, has resigned from the profession.

Erhabor, who had once rejecting N864 million bribe, resigned as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of ‘D’ division, Itam, in Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom state.

He was named ‘Police officer of the year’ after coming tops in the nationwide online voting on December 10, 2020, at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, in Abuja, during the 2020 IgbereTV Leadership Excellence Awards.

The police officer, who spoke to news men, said that he felt cheated by the system, having been denied promotion more than thrice despite all his efforts and sacrifices for the police force and the country.

“I joined this noble profession as a cadet inspector on the 2nd of April, 1990. I was 17 years plus at the time. I was told by cerebral and seasoned Police officers like AIG Albasu, AIG Akagbosun, AIG Iyamabo, and DIG Ugowe all retired, that the force needed folks like me. Youths who were patriotic and passionate.

“I loved and believed in this project called Nigeria, and the profession, the Nigeria Police was a great platform to serve my fatherland. I sincerely believed in this job, loved this job and sacrificed so much for this job.

“Looking back, all I see is “nobody cares.” I was cheated out of promotion not once, twice or thrice. Served over thirty years meritoriously and stainless by God’s grace, and not honoured by the system, instead have only enjoyed promotion only 5 times. I thank God for His grace, that insulated me for the past 30yrs.”

On how he rejected N864 million bribe, CSP Erhabor said: “As a pipeline Commander in Edo state, I turned down N6.5m weekly; N24m monthly; N288m yearly, and a whooping sum of N864 for the 3years I served as a commander.”

Asked if he regretted his actions, he said: “I have no regrets for doing this. If given the test again, I will repeat same feat, without thinking twice, even though some of my colleagues term me a fool.

“I even volunteered as an instructor, to train Police Mobile Personnel at Limakara, Gwoza, Borno State for over 3 years. Discharged my duty as an instructor, in the most harshest and difficult condition, without any commendation reward, or promotion, and today only for just working within the corridors of power; or being able to grease some palms or, as claimed, being attacked because of #EndSARS, Juniors will just be promoted above their superiors just like that.”

He said that he felt hurt seeing his junior police officers promoted over him, insisting nothing had been done by the Force despite the formal complaints where he asked for the ratification of his promotion.

“I have witnessed my juniors get promoted over me over and over again, and it hurts deeply. I filed a complaint, asked for ratification of my promotion date, and was even investigated, with the outcome verified in my favour, yet nothing has been done to remedy the situation.”

‘I have wasted 30 years serving my fatherland’

CSP Francis Erhabor said that he felt that he has wasted 30 years of his precious time serving his ‘fatherland’, in a police profession he once believed to be a “noble” one.

According to Erhabor, instead, the system rewards mediocrity, nepotism, and all other ignoble acts and care less about those who tread on the path of dignity and honour.

“This profession I once called a noble one, doesn’t care about those of us who tread the path of honour and dignity. I once had a dream about the the Nigeria Police Force, becoming the people’s force; the country’s pride. So sad, I no longer believe in the system as a noble one, but one were mediocrity, nepotism, and all other ignoble acts are given higher preference.

“I am sorry I let all my fans down. I am deeply sorry for not finishing where you all expected me to finish. Thanks for your strong and relentless faith in me. I remain forever grateful to you all.”

FCMB Managing Director Embroils In Marriage Scandal; Under Investigation

Editorial staff

January 2, 2021

The Managing Director of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Adam Nuru, is currently enmeshed in a marriage scandal with one of the bank’s female staff members, resulting in allegedly two children.

This was even as the bank has confirmed that it is investigating the matter, even as the real husband of the female staff in question, Tunde Thomas, had died on December 16 as a result of depression and cardiac arrest after he realised that Nuru allegedly fathered their two children and not him.

In a statement, the FCMB Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo, said that the bank is aware of the allegations making the rounds against its MD, adding that the bank’s board of directors had started reviewing the matter, and that its findings would be disclosed in due course.

“We are aware of several stories circulating across several media platforms about our bank’s Managing Director, Adam Nuru, a former employee, Ms Moyo Thomas, and her deceased ex-husband, Mr Tunde Thomas,” the statement read.

“While this is a personal matter, the tragedy of the death of Mr Tunde Thomas and the allegations of unethical conduct require the bank’s board to conduct a review of what transpired, any violations of our code of ethics and the adequacy of these code of conduct ethics. This will be done immediately.

“We enjoin all our stakeholders to bear with us as we conduct this review and to please respect the various families involved.

“Our Board of Directors are reviewing all aspects of this report and once they are done with their review, we will revert to you.”

Earlier, concerned Nigerians have raised a petition demanding that Nuru must be sacked and prosecuted.

According to the petition, the woman in question – Moyo – allegedly informed her husband that she was leaving Nigeria for the United States with the kids, only to call him upon arrival that the children did not belong to him.

The petition claimed the news initially caused Thomas to have a stroke but he later recovered and thereafter met another lady whom he planned to marry.

However, the husband was said to have suffered a cardiac arrest after returning from work about two days before a ceremony where his relations would officially be introduced to the family of his already pregnant girlfriend.

No fewer than 1,400 petitioners as of Saturday afternoon had signed a petition calling for the sacking of the FCMB MD over the marriage scandal.

The petitioners had called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sack Nuru, while demanding a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

“This is a case of gross misconduct based on ethical grounds and an unjustifiable economic oppression by the elite (Adam Nuru) against the underprivileged in the society,” the petition, which has already garnered over 1,400 signatures, reads.

“The MD has been doing everything possible to sweep this case under the carpet. We implore the Central Bank of Nigeria, as the apex regulator, and the board of FCMB to investigate this for the integrity of the bank and Nigerian banking industry.”

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