Terrorists Storm Chibok Community, Kill 3, Burn Houses

At least three people were reportedly killed in Chibok, Borno State on Friday night by suspected members of the dreaded Boko Haram terrorists.

FirstNigeriaTv learnt that the assailants stormed the community in their numbers and carried out the heinous operation without any opposition.

A resident in the area, who is also a lecturer in the College of Education Dr Shuaibu Musa, said hundreds of ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists stormed the community, shooting sporadically. He said bullets hit three of those who attempted to run and they died instantly. The bandits also burnt down several houses and properties.

The source added that the insurgents also stormed Kautikari village near Chibok town at exactly 4pm, shooting sporadically and burning down several houses. According to him, they spent about two hours moving from house to house in the village.

IPOB Orders Sit-At-Home On January 18, Warns Disgruntled Members

Ahead of the January 19 court ruling on the fundamental rights enforcement suit by Nnamdi Kanu at an Umuahia court, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) declared a sit-at-home on January 18.

However, the group has insisted that there would not be any sit-at-home on January 19, the scheduled date for the ruling proper.

IPOB in a statement issued on Saturday by its Spokesperson, Emma Powerful, noted that some disgruntled principal officers of the group, are planning to thwart the directive issued by its directorate.

Powerful while advising the people to shun any sit-at-home except that fixed for January 18, warned that the group would deal seriously with any member going against the laid down order.

Ogun Deputy Governor celebrates 56th Birthday, Gives cash and food items to Children

Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has donated na cash, food items and other gifts to Ijamido Children’s Home, Ota, to celebrate her 56 birthday.

Salako-Oyedele, while donating the items to the home, said that she believed in giving back to the society, especially the less privileged rather than throwing a party

Gov. Abiodun Urges Nigerians To Remain In Unity

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State on Saturday urged Nigerians to ensure the country remain one and indivisible so that the labour of the fallen heroes in the Biafran war would not be in vain.

Abiodun disclosed this during the Special Parade/Laying of Wreath Ceremony to mark the 2022 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration held at the Arcade Ground, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital.

The governor, who charged the citizens of the country, to reflect soberly on the soldiers that laid down their lives for the unity of the nation during the civil war, said that the best way to honour them was to make sure that the country did not break up.

He also urged Nigerians to always remember their spouses and children who lost their loved ones and parents to the war, noting that the armed forces remembrance day should be celebrated by them accordingly.

Amotekun Nabs 17 Men With 35 Dogs, Charms In Ondo

Operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps, have arrested 17 middle-aged men, who arrived in the State with 35 dogs, charms and cutlasses.

The men, all from the northern part of the country, were arrested in Okitipupa town, headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state. Following their arrival in the state, the residents of Okitipupa raised alarm as their movement within the town became suspicious.

According to the Commander of Amotekun in the state, Akogun Adetunji Adeleye, the suspects said someone invited them to the State.

He said, “They were people who claimed to have come from the northern part of the country with dogs, charms and cutlasses and the people of Okitipupa area who were not comfortable with them raised the alarm.

AFCON: Simon Says The Game against Egypt is his best match ever

Super Eagles winger Moses Simon on Friday said Nigeria’s opening match in the ongoing 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) against Egypt was his best game ever.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigeria defeated their Egyptian counterparts 1-0 in their AFCON Group D clash in Garoua, Cameroon.

The Super Eagles had their last training session at the practice pitch of the Roumdé Adjia Stadium in Garoua on Friday before their second group D game against Sudan on Saturday.

Simon while fielding questions from newsmen on Friday said the style and tactics of Coach Eguavoen had impacted positively and improved his game greatly.

Gunmen Kidnap 4 Varsity Students In Nasarawa

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted four students of the Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Nasarawa State.

Head of the Information and Public Relations Unit of the university, Abubakar Ibrahim, who confirmed the incident on Friday in Lafia, said the students were kidnapped at Mararaba, a community close to the institution’s campus, on Thursday, Jan. 13, at 11.30 p.m.

Ibrahim said the Vice-chancellor of the University, Prof. Shehu Abdul-Rahman had expressed shock at the unfortunate development and condemned it in strong terms.

The school management urged the students to remain calm and go about their normal activities at the campuses of the university.

Wike orders LG Chairmen to produce illegal refinery operators

Rivers State governor Nyesom Wike has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to all local government chairmen in the State to provide a comprehensive list of illegal refineries and their operators within their jurisdiction.

The Governor gave the ultimatum at a meeting with the council chairmen and heads of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air force, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Police, the Directorate of State Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps at Government House on Friday.

He challenged the council chairmen to prove that they are not complicit in the noxious business that has continued to threaten the health of Rivers people and the national economy. Governor Wike stated that as a responsible government, it will be unwise for them to fold their hands and do nothing to safeguard residents of the state from the death that is forced upon them by criminal-minded operators of artisanal refineries.

Wike, who appealed to the Department of State Service (DSS) to profile persons involved in the heinous illegal refining business and make the list available to him, assured of acting on the list.

Irate Youths Attack Monarch In Plateau

The Operation SAFE HAVEN in charge of internal security in Plateau and environs have confirmed the attack on the Palace of Mbra Ngwe Irigwe, the paramount ruler of Irigwe nation in Miango District of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

FirstNigeriaTv gathered that the traditional ruler, Rev. Ronku Aka escaped the attack unhurt as the palace was torched. Bassa local government area has been persistently attacked by bandits in recent times. Several people have been killed with their properties destroyed with the latest being the killing of 18 persons in the Ancha community on Wednesday.

Reports say the youths were irked over what they described as the failure by the monarch to defend his people from continued attacks in their communities.

However, a statement issued by the OPSH military information officer, Major Ishaku Takwa, said Troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN have been mobilised to the scene to ensure law and order.

INEC set for by-elections in four states Feb 26

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed February 26, 2022 for the conduct of by-elections for six constituencies in four states.

The Apex electoral body also cautioned political parties against nominating unqualified candidates for the polls. INEC National Commissioner and Chairman (Information and Voter Education Committee), Festus Okoye announced this in a statement in Abuja.

The six pending by-elections are Akure North/Akure South Federal Constituency, Ondo State; Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, Plateau State; Pankshin South State Constituency, Plateau State; Ogoja/and Yala Federal Constituency, Cross River State.

Okoye said the decision to conduct the by-elections immediately after the FCT poll was to enable the Commission to clear most of the polls and focus on the Ekiti, Osun Governorship elections and ongoing preparations for the 2023 general election.

Buhari Says Nigeria Will Prevail Over Insecurity

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed confidence that the nation will overcome the prevailing situation of insecurity in parts of the country.

According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari gave the assurance during a visit on Friday to the State House, Abuja by the Grand Khalifa (overall head) of the Tijjaniyya Islamic Movement World-Wide.

President Buhari said the present administration is well aware of its responsibility with regards to security and will continue to do its best.

He urged Nigerians to be fair to his government in assessing the security issue in the country by reflecting on what obtained at the time he took over in 2015, and the successes as well as performance which mark a decisive break from the past, particularly in the Northeast and the South-South, adding that the Northwest which had given the nation some “headache” will experience a turnaround for the better.

Nasarawa LG Chairman Slumps, Dies In Abuja

Chairman of Akwanga Local Government Council in Nasarawa State Hon Emmanuel Leweh is dead. Leweh, who is barely three months in office, died on Thursday at a private hospital in Abuja where he was receiving treatment.

He was admitted after he slumped on Monday January 10, 2022 in his office at the LGA Secretariat in Akwanga. The chairman was said to have slumped shortly after addressing senior staff of the council with a promise to work with them for the development of the local government area.

He was confirmed dead shortly after Governor Abdullahi Sule and his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, visited him at the hospital in Abuja

He took oath of office in October 2021 for a tenure of three years and was yet to constitute his cabinet.

Southern, Middle Belt Leaders to Support only Southern Presidential Candidates

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) has asked political parties in the country to zone its presidential ticket to the south.

The Forum warned that any party that does not zone its ticket to the south should not expect support from the regions. The demand was part of resolutions reached at a meeting, held on Thursday in Abuja.

The Forum also cautioned the National Assembly to only give consideration to Bills that would promote equity, justice, peace and national cohesion instead of issues that will exacerbate conflicts and crisis in the country.

It also urged Governors and members of the National Assembly of the four regions to commit themselves to the subject of Restructuring.

Newly Promoted DIGs, Other Senior Officers Decorated by IGP

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, on Friday decorated twenty-five (25) newly promoted Senior Police Officers at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

A statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, CP Frank Mba, said the officers were decorated with their new ranks amidst cheers from their spouses, loved ones and well-wishers.

The highlight of the brief ceremony was the presentation of an award to AIG Hakeem Odumosu as the best Commissioner of Police for the year 2021 by the President, Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Hajiya Hajjara Usman Alkali Baba for his commitment towards women empowerment, social development, effective crime fighting and quality service delivery.

The Inspector-General of Police while congratulating the newly promoted officers charged them to bring their vast experiences and professionalism to bear in advancing the fortunes of the Force in their new ranks while keying to his vision and mission statement of his administration which is “to protect with courage and serve with compassion”.