Bandits Storm Katsina Military Base, kill Officers
At least a soldier and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been shot dead by bandits who attacked a military base in Shinfida community, Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The bandits were said to have stormed the base by 10pm Tuesday night shooting sporadically. They reportedly burnt down two patrol vehicles and used another patrol vehicle to convey food items from neighbouring villages during the attack.
The NSCDC spokesman in the state, DSC Muhammad Abdara confirmed the attack as well as the casualties.
The officers who were shot reportedly died instantly while those with gun wounds are receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital in the state.
Okowa Okays the Dissolution Of Delta Traditional Rulers Council
Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has approved the dissolution of the State Traditional Rulers Council.
A Statement issued on Friday by the Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah, said, the dissolution is sequel to the expiration of the tenure of the Council.
The statement read: “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the highly esteemed Traditional Rulers of Delta State and Deltans in general, that the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa has approved the dissolution of the Delta State Traditional Rulers Council.
“The dissolution is sequel to the expiration of the tenure of the council.
“I hereby convey the gratitude of the Governor of Delta State and indeed Deltans at large, to members of the defunct council for their impactful contributions to governance during the period of their stewardship.
“The council will be reconstituted in due time.”
Proprietor gives reason he killed five year old student
A school proprietor, Abdulmalik Mohammed Tanko on Friday said he killed a five-year-old, Hanifa Abubakar with N100 rat poison.
Abdulmalik is the proprietor of a private school, Noble Kids Academy, in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State. Hanifa was abducted late last year in an operation led by her teacher, AbdulmalikTanko, the proprietor.
He had demanded a ransom of N6million but eventually killed the 5-year-old Hanifa after he allegedly received N100,000 ransom.
Abdulmalik, who is a principal suspect to the crime, said he kidnapped Hanifa because of his financial constraints, adding that he was indebted to the owner of the structure which housed the school. The suspect, a father of two, made the confession when he was paraded before newsmen at the Bompai police headquarters on Friday, In Kano.
Niger Gov Supports Tinubu For 2023 Presidency
Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello has openly endorsed the presidential aspirations of Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State.
Bello also tasked Tinubu on his expectations in 2023, to replicate for Nigeria, what he did in Lagos.
”Lagos is a country within a country and we saw the foundation you laid there. We are looking forward to seeing you replicate it for Nigeria”, he said.
The Governor thanked the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s chieftain, for sympathising with Niger State and its people over the incessant banditry and terrorism.
“Watch Your Utterances” – Atiku Warns Ethnic Leaders
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has warned the various ethnic groups in the country to watch their utterances in the interest of the unity of Nigeria.
Atiku was Nigerian Vice-President between 1999 and 2007. He was also a former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 General elections.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku said dialogue and understanding could solve disagreements noting that “this is a delicate point in the history of this country”.
He said, “Again, let me also comment on the issue of the ethnic nationalities who try to put obstacles, like Baba-Ahmed said, making it ungovernable in certain parts of the country. I think what we need to do definitely as he recommended, there is a need that we lower the temperature.”
Several Killed In Ghana Explosion
Many people are feared dead after a huge explosion near a mining town in western Ghana.
Police say a vehicle carrying mining explosives collided with a motorcycle near the town of Bogoso.
Images shared by local media showed a large plume of black smoke rising above destroyed buildings and scattered debris as residents call for help.
Police have not confirmed the number of casualties but graphic videos showed mutilated bodies of victims. Rescue efforts are underway and people have been told to move out of the area.
Soludo Sets up 80-Man Transition Committee
Anambra State governor-elect, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has set up the 80-man transition committee assembled by him for the transition of the current state government to his, as his swearing-in on March 17 draws close.
The former Central Bank governor said he is very optimistic that he will hit the ground running, while stating that he would stop at nothing to ensure that Anambra people who overwhelming voted him were not disappointed.
He also stated that part of the task of the transition committee would be to draw a pool of resource persons from where the government would pick capable hands to help it drive its policies.
Soludo, while inaugurating the committee, said: “This is an assemblage of the people I describe as wise men and women who have kindly accepted to pay to serve our homeland, under the leadership of one of Anambra’s finest gift to the world, our own dear Oby Ezekwesili. This committee comprises some of Nigeria’s best, and Anambra is deeply grateful that you are sacrificing your time and talent pro bono, to help our journey to a liveable and prosperous smart city.
Ogun Assembly Issues Strong Warning to Customs Officers, Says it won’t Condone Killing Of Innocent Citizens
Ogun State House of Assembly on Thursday condemned the gruesome killings of innocent residents at border communities by men of the Nigeria Customs Service
The assembly equally called the head of NCS to call their men in the state to order and have a change of attitude in the discharge of their duties so as to avoid unnecessary killings.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo who disclosed this at a plenary session held at the assembly complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, the state capital, said that the assembly won’t condone extra-judicial killings.
Oluomo, while describing the rising spate of extra-judicial killings across the state as unacceptable, said that it was high time the officers became more conscious in their operations, noting that securing the lives and properties of the state was important.
Osinbajo Kicks-off $750m COVID-19 Recovery Programme NG-Cares
Nigeria’s Vice-president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-Cares), which will be implemented with a 750-million-dollar World Bank facility.
The vice-president performed the inauguration on Thursday as prelude to National Economic Council (NEC) meeting which he chaired at the State House Banquet Hall, Abuja.
He said that under the NG-Cares, which would be for a two-year period (2021-2023), each state would get 20 million dollars, while the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) would get 15 million dollars.
He explained that “NG-Cares is a multi-sectoral programme designed to support vulnerable and poor Nigerians to provide essentially emergency relief to small holder farmers and MSMEs, especially those that were adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
African Lawyers Promise Backing For Nigerian Army Against ICC
The African Bar Association (ABA) has promised to back the Nigerian Army against the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crime committed in its counterinsurgency action in the northeast.
President of the Association, Hannibal Uwaifo made this known on Thursday, when he led members of the council on courtesy visit to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, on Thursday in Abuja.
He said the association had made it clear that its members would not support any move by anybody to malign the army for carrying out its constitutional duties of protecting the nation against terrorists.
Uwaifo urged ICC and any other body to channel their energy to identifying and bringing sponsors of terrorists to justice for crime against innocent Nigerians. He also urged the media to take time to verify the authenticity of every information given to them before going to the press so as not to support the enemies of the state.
