Category: Featured

The terrorists who attacked an Abuja-Kaduna train on March 28 yesterday released four photos of their captives.

In the photos, 62 of the kidnapped victims are seen in four groups.

The first photo has 23 persons, including five children (two females and three males) and 18 women.

Among them is the 85-year-old woman said to be diabetic.

The second photo shows 17 men, including a foreigner.

The third photo shows six of the victims sitting, one of whom has a bandage wrapped on his right leg.

The fourth photo shows 16 people.

It is the third time the terrorists would release evidence that their captives are alive.

The first photo was released during the release of Managing Director of Bank of Agriculture, Alwan Ali-Hassan.

The other was a video showing victims begging the government to grant the terrorists’ demands.

It was reported after the attack that 68 captives were with the bandits, including 41 women, 22 men and five children.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is unsure of the exact number of those abducted.

The terrorists used clothes to block the background on the photographs as the abductees sat on a tarpaulin.

They blew up rail tracks on the Abuja-Kaduna route during the attack, killing eight passengers. No fewer than 41 people were injured.

Ali-Hassan, who is the only released captive released so far, had told those who visited him that they were subjected to five days of trekking from the attack scene to a forest in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

A victim’s relative who visited Ali-Hassan had said: “He assured us that, all our loved ones were fine.

“He said after being driven from the scene of the attack for several kilometres into the bush, the bandits dropped them and made them to trek from that point.

“He said they had stopovers at several transit camps of the bandits; that at every point, they would think they had gotten to their destination, but they would just command them to start trekking again.

“He said they moved for five days before they arrived at the terrorists’ main camp somewhere in the forest around Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

“He also told us that the terrorists had medical personnel and they brought them to the camp to treat victims who got injured either from the scene of the attack or during the journey to the terrorist camp.”

There were speculations that two expectant mothers among the victims, including a lady said to be due for a caesarean section (CS), were delivered of their babies, but this could not be independently confirmed.

Premium Times spoke to family members who confirmed that those seen in the photographs were their relatives.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered security agencies to secure the release of all those in captivity.

Families write NSA

Families of the victims have written the National Security Adviser (NSA), Major-General Mohammed Munguno (rtd), demanding a status report.

The April 25 letter was signed by Aliyu Mahmood, Idayat Yusuf, Aminu Othman and Dr. Baaba Muhammed on behalf of the victims’ families.

They lamented being left in the dark as to the state of their loved ones .

The letter reads: “We the families of victims of the Nigerian Railway Corporation train attack AK9 departing from Abuja on 28th of March 2022 to Rigasa Kaduna have come together on behalf of the victims that are in captivity.

“We write to express our concern that there is no representation from government to communicate with us on the status of our loved ones.

“Even though we know the information may be of confidential nature, families need to be reassured and be carried along in a safe manner to ensure their release from captivity safely.

“We humbly request your facilitation to ensure that the Federal Government is in touch with the victims’ families.”

By Bolaji Ogundele and Frank Ikpefan, Abuja 

Two hitherto unexpected aspirants  – a governor and a minister – joined the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket yesterday.

Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade announced at Aso Villa, Abuja that President Muhammadu Buhari had asked him to bid for the ticket.

Minister of State (Education) Emeka Nwajiuba said his friends had raised N100m for him to purchase nomination and expression of interest forms.

The ruling party began the sale of forms for political offices yesterday.

Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello became the first to obtain the presidential form.

However, sale of House of Assembly forms failed to begin at the secretariat of the party in the state.

An official said forms were yet to be delivered from the National Secretariat.

Speaking to reporters, Ayade said he did not originally contemplate running and only came to convey his support to the President on his successor’s selection.

Nwajiuba said he was still consulting on whether to join the race.

Ayade added he would be flexible with his quest for the party’s presidential ticket.

He promised to support any person the party’s delegates settle for.

The governor said: “I didn’t come to the President to tell him I’m running.

“I went to the President to tell him I’m here to join him, to support him in the process of producing his successor and that peradventure power is to go to the South, I’m the only sitting governor from the Southsouth.

“The President didn’t allow me to finish and says: ‘I know you’ and recounted our relationship.

“I asked him: ‘Can I? Because I’m not here for that, unless you say so.’

“So, if you ask me the question, am I running? My answer is that I am running because the President has said: ‘You go while I watch’.

“I want you to report me intellectually. I want you to understand that truly, outside all the cheap talks, the truth is that my approach to be President is different. I will support the President’s candidate.

“Even though I’m on standby, I will support the President’s candidate and the President said: ‘You are not outside of my view. Go, I give you blessing, go and consult; ensure that you engage with key people while I watch.’

“I think it’s a clear indication that I have the right to go and try, to go and declare. So I will.”

Ayade said he would drop his interest whenever the President makes clear who he is backing.

“I’m willing to stop at any point where it becomes necessary, that I find that my interest does not align with the directions of the President.”

On rumours that the APC might present former President Goodluck Jonathan as its sole candidate, Ayade said: “I have great respect for President Jonathan and so, I have no challenges whatsoever.

“I believe that the party leadership will decide the appropriate candidate that will take our party to victory and so, if you heard me well, I am just part of the family, absolutely loyal to the President, seeking to run for President and I’m running.

“At any point in time the leadership of my party, the APC, feels that President Jonathan is the appropriate candidate that will take us to victory, I will turn my support for him.

“I am never ever going to fight the establishment, the institution, the aristocracy, the spiritual vortex of which God has placed a leader on the country, I will never question the powers of the leader of the country.

“I have never played the politics of antagonism or fights. If you know how I became governor, I became governor by offering to support whoever the governor wanted.

“By a stroke of luck, I became the candidate. The same token… I’m only here to support the President’s candidate and by a stroke of luck he said: ‘You, go there and join the race.’”

Ayade said he would consolidate on President Buhari’s efforts on the economy, security and the power sector if he becomes the President.

Group raises N100m for Nwajuiba

A group known as Project Nigeria, raised over N100 million to purchase the APC expression of interest and presidential nomination forms for Nwajiuba.

It was learnt that the minister of state may obtain the forms today.

Nwajiuba told reporters that the group informed him that about 1,000 individuals raised the fund.

He was excited that the group could to raise the amount, adding that he would decide on his next move after consulting with stakeholders across the country.

Nwajiuba said: “I have the unique opportunity of being promoted by a wide range of Nigerians, young people and others from all parts of Nigeria, who are contributing their funds as well as their time to drive this project.

“They have taken the challenge of thinking of where to get the money and relieve the burden from me.

“One of them told me that they have actually exceeded the figure by some fractions at the moment. They have over 1,000 contributors from different places.

“I was only informed that they were ready. I have been trying to get them to meet with me, but they only want to meet me when they have the forms.”

On whether he would run for the presidency and when he intends to declare his ambition, he added: “I do not want to answer that question until they (members of the Project Nigeria group) come.

“It is not just my decision to make. This is a collective decision of all Nigerians.

“I am actually impressed by them telling me that over 1,000 persons have contributed. I thought it was a joke until I saw that such a huge number of people contributed.”

By Nicholas Kalu, Precious Igbonwelundu, Lagos  and Duku Joel, Damaturu

A major security threat has been uncovered by the Department of State Service (DSS).

The secret service said yesterday that criminal elements are planning to bomb targets in parts of the country.

The latest plot, according to its despatch, is targeted at worship and relaxation centres as well as critical infrastructure.

Also yesterday, security threat forced the police to shut down the popular  ‘mammy market’, a relaxation spot in  Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

Following recent attacks by Boko Haram, operators of other relaxation spots, including bars, in the Jerusalem area of the city, are on self-imposed breaks.

President Muhammadu Buhari urged political leaders to support efforts to end insecurity.

He spoke during an iftar with political leaders.

Spokesman for the Service, Dr Peter Afunanya, in a statement, said: “The DSS  hereby draws public attention to plans by criminal elements to return the country to the pre-2015 era reminiscent of IED(Improvised Explosive Devices) attacks on soft and hard targets in parts of the country.

“Though there are already reported cases of such incidents in some areas, the service has uncovered a plot by suspected criminal gangs to forge an alliance among themselves with a view to launching further attacks on critical infrastructure and other frequented public places, such as worship and relaxation centres, especially during and after the holidays and festive celebrations.

“The objective is to achieve some self-serving interests as well as cause fear among the citizenry. The service, however, recalls its earlier warning that some groups and individuals were plotting to stoke violence in the country.

“Following these, patrons, owners and managers of aforementioned public places are advised to be wary of this development and implement basic security measures to deter the threats.

“While the service is committed to the disruption of this trend and pattern of violent attacks, it will continue to partner other security agencies to ensure that necessary drills are emplaced in order that public peace and order are not jeopardised.

“To this end, residents are enjoined to go about their lawful businesses and share, with security and law enforcement agencies, useful information on activities of criminals.”

Our correspondent, who visited the Police ‘mammy market’,  noticed that all the shops were locked.

The State Police Spokesman, Dungus Abdulkareem, said that “the Police do not want to be embarrassed or caught unaware by terrorists.

“With what happened at Geidam and Gashua, it is expedient on us to act proactively by closing down the Area Command ‘mammy’ market until further notice.

“The police and security agencies are also collaborating with other places to ensure adequate protection of people and property.”

A security source who spoke in confidence said the market will remain shut throughout the Sallah period and after until adequate security measures were put in place.

Boko Haram a week ago, killed 12 people at a drinking spot in Giedam town. A few days after, the group launched a bomb attack at another drinking spot in Gashua, home of the Senate president, Dr Ahmed Lawan.  One person lost his life while seven were injured.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday began the sale of expression of interest and nomination forms for its aspirants in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Nomination forms for the House of Assembly will be sold at the State level while aspirants vying for the National Assembly, Governorship and presidential tickets are to obtain their forms from the National Secretariat.

Flagging off the exercise at the National Secretariat, APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Muhammad Argungu promised members and aspirants that the party will be transparent and ensure hitch-free exercise.

Argungu presented expression of interest, nomination forms and guidelines to Plateau Governor Simon Lalong and Senator Ita Enang, who are contesting the Plateau South Senatorial and Akwa Ibom State governorship elections respectively in 2023.

Accompanied by the National Publicity Secretary, Barr. Felix Morka and the Deputy National Organizing Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, Argungu assured aspirants of adequate forms, dispelling fears of hoarding.

The Plateau Legacy Group led Yusuf Gagdi collected the expression of interest, nomination forms and guidelines on behalf of Governor Lalong.

Addressing newsmen on his plans for Akwa Ibom State after picking the form, Enang promised to bring to the table accountability, change in the mode of doing things, concentration in the manner in which we generate funds from the State and the National level.

He also said he would attract and work more with the federal government by cooperating with federal institutions to be able to bring development to the State and giving attention to agriculture, and education and declaring an emergency on the development of Youth and the development of human infrastructure.

By Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja; Osagie Otabor, Akure; Kolade Adeyemi, Jos and AbdulGafar Alabelewe

Some former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday denounced the consensus candidacy being promoted by four presidential aspirants of the party.

They argued that such an idea was capable of causing disunity that could affect the opposition party’s chances of winning next year’s elections.

The former governors are Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Boni Haruna (Adamawa) and Ibrahim Idris (Kogi).

They gave the warning after a meeting hosted by Lamido at his Abuja residence.

A former Police Affairs Minster, Adamu Waziri, Senator Dino Melaye and other stakeholders of the PDP also attended the parley.

Waziri and Lamido are supporters of Saraki and another presidential aspirant, Atiku Abubakar.

Saraki, who, however, insisted on consensus, continued his consultation with delegates to the May 28-29, 2022 primary of the PDP yesterday.

The former Senate President is one of the quartets comprising Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State and Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen that initiated the consensus.

They had suggested that each of the two regions (North and South) should present one candidate for the National Working Committee (NWC) and National Executive Council (NEC) to pick one as a consensus candidate.

Five of the aspirants are from the North and 12 from the South.

Aspirants from the South had earlier kicked against the option, insisting that power should shift from the North to their region.

Some of them were at the Greater Nigeria Conference (GNC) yesterday, in which the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and Middle Belt Forum (MBF) insisted that the office should be micro-zoned to the Southeast.

Northern Elders Forum (NEF) leader Prof. Ango Abdullahi sparked controversy at the weekend by announcing Saraki and Mohammed as the two PDP “consensus aspirants of the North.”

In the statement, the former governors and the stakeholders argued that what the PDP needed most now was a synergy that would result in producing Nigeria’s next President in 2023 and not an idea that could result in North-South divide within the party.

They clarified that there is no such thing as Northern or Southern PDP.

The group cautioned against profiling the 17 presidential aspirants along ethnic and regional lines and charged them to close ranks and work together for the success of the party in 2023.

According to them, the ripple effects of North-South profiling, if not checked, could also engulf PDP structures in the states and geo-political zones.

They argued that the disagreement generated by the controversial announcement of two “Northern consensus” presidential aspirants by Abdullahi was capable of causing disunity.

The statement reads in part: “Our coming together as key stakeholders from the Northern states is only for the purpose of debunking any notion or impression, which might have been created by Prof. Ango Abdullahi’s media statement about the Northern Elders Forum having shortlisted consensus PDP presidential candidates.

“The PDP, as conceived by its founding fathers, is and, remains the foremost national political platform wherein the democratic aspirations of its teeming members can be actualised devoid of any sectional consideration. Our party is neither Northern nor Southern but Nigeria!

“We are happy to note that the Northern Elders Forum has, through its Secretary, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed, dissociated itself from Prof. Ango’s media statement. They made it clear that it is Ango’s personal opinion.

“The aspirants have informed us that they are discussing among themselves. They are consulting other senior citizens to create a better understanding and unity among themselves.

“Their ultimate objective is to build a national consensus that will produce a national candidate for the party.

“We urge them to keep up with this commendable effort.”

The elders maintained that all the 17 PDP aspirants are qualified to serve president under the PDP banner.

They promised to continue to support, promote and campaign for whoever might emerge the candidate at the primary scheduled to hold between May 28 and 29, 2022.

Saraki continues consultation, Wike donates N200m

Two presidential aspirants of the party-Senator Saraki and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike continued their consultations with delegates in three states.

Saraki was in Ondo and Plateau states while Wike visited Kaduna where he donated N200 million to victims of banditry.

In Akure, the  Ondo State capital, the former Senate President asked the delegates to see him as their son and back his aspiration which, according to him, has been okayed by NEF.

He said, “The beauty is that the Northern Elders have spoken and I think we should go with that face.”

.At his meeting  with Plateau State delegates in Jos, saraki said he should be supported because the Northcentral of which he is also a part of had been marginalised for long.

“When it is time to get something, they will call us, but once it is done they forget us. We need to unite this country, this country has been so divided. We need a man that has the capacity, not a man that will say I am not aware or somebody that does not know what is happening,” he said.

The presidential hopeful, who  attributed the rising insecurity in country to continued  lack of accountability and  political will to punish the perpetrators, said he would end injustice in the country if elected President.

In Kaduna , Wike pleaded with the delegates to give  him at least  80 per cent of their votes. He  donated the N200million to victims of banditry and violent clashes in the state through  the state PDP.

“I am here to say that this country needs rescue, we came here to say we must not take sentiment to 2023 election, we came here to tell you that what PDP requires now is to get somebody who is courageous, who can withstand this party and win this election in 2023.

“I am not here to tell you that am just a mere presidential aspirant, I want to win election if you give me the ticket on 29 and 30 of May 2022,” the governor said.

Former governor of the state and one time National Caretaker Chairman of the  PDP Ahmed Makarfi  said he would not hesitate to   make Wike President if he had the power.

”If is it appointment, I would simply appoint you and you will go home and rest. But this is democracy, it is convention and  the delegates know those who have been with them and will continue to be within them.  The  party people know. And I am vigorously working for it,” Markarfi told Wike.

By Bisi Oladele and Segun Showunmi, Ibadan

The burial of Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola (Adeyemi III) conformed with tradition, Bashorun of Oyo (Traditional Prime Minister) Chief Yusuf Ayoola, saod yesterday.

The position of the high chief, who is the head of the Alaafin-in-Council (also known as Oyomesi), cleared the air on the controversy lover the way the late monarch’s body was handled on Saturday. Oba Adeyemi died on Friday.

He explained that the body of the royal father, being a Muslim, was brought to the public to allow Islamic clerics to pray on it before interment.

According to him, doing so did not anyway contradict tradition. He, however, insisted the remains could not be buried in public.

Chief Ayoola said: “Kabiyesi was a Muslim. What was important is that Muslim clerics needed to pray on his body before it is taken to Ile nla (Kings’ burial site). The body was taken indoors to prepare for burial according to tradition.

“People should not expect to witness Alaafin’s burial like those of other obas. Alaafin’s burial is different. So, is that of the Ooni. Oyo is a town ingrained in Yoruba culture. We do things according to Yoruba tradition; and that was why the body was buried in accordance with tradition.”

Also speaking on how the new Alaafin will be picked, the prime minister said due process will be followed before another king can be enthroned despite the fact that the compound that will produce the next Alaafin is already known.

He said: “There is procedure for everything here. There are only two compounds that produce the Alaafin. Only the one favoured by God mounts the throne.”

Oba Adeyemi, who was 82, was on the throne for 52 years.

The monarch, who hailed from the Alowolodu compound, will be remembered for his great knowledge of history, influence and promotion of Yoruba culture as well as his controversies.

Yesterday, a former Olori Badirat Olaitan of the late monarch relived her romance with Oba Adeyemi.

In her post on Instagram, Olori Olaitan, who claimed to have been betrothed to the Alaafin at 19, recalled how she and the late monarch were the best of friends.

The Olori noted that the bond she shared with the Alaafin could be likened to that of a “siamese” but everything flopped when “they had inkling about whom your favourite was.”

”I was thinking it’s all lies and that you are coming back but I’m afraid I was wrong”, the Olori said, adding: “the father of my kids, whom I met at an impressionable age, left when it was least expected. Whenever I tell people that the bond we shared can be likened to that of a ‘Siamese’, having been married to you at age 19, they are more than transfixed.

“We were practically best of friends but the moment they had an inkling about whom your favourite was, everything flopped.

“Alas! the kids and I can’t see you anymore nor converse with you any longer but I vehemently believe you are seeing us, how I wish we could still have few words because I’ve got a whole lot to tell you.

“I’m bereft of what to tell the boys, especially Adejuwon, because, at his age, he reads and surfs the net so much that curiosity gets hold of him and has already known a lot about you.

“You remain to me, the best father, teacher and mentor and husband that ever bestrode the landscapes. Almighty Allah will forgive all your sins and accept your return.”