Tag: Abuja

Members of Movement in Nigeria (IMN) on Sunday, August 25, clashed with police officers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The incident, according to an eyewitness occurred around noon at the Wuse, Berger roundabout in Abuja.

The IMN members marched from Wuse to the burger roundabout when the police started shooting teargas into the air.

The leader of the group, El-Zakzaky has been in the news for several reasons.

Two vehicles at the scene were burnt while the police were trying to dispatch the protesters.

A member of the group, Sheikh Sidi Munir Mainasara Sokoto told our correspondent that: “Police attacked the Arbaeen Symbolic Trek in Abuja and killed numerous mourners.

“We wish to inform the public that police have attacked the ongoing Arba’een Symbolic Trek at Wuse District in Abuja and killed numerous mourners. While trying to disperse the Arbaeen Trek, the police killed and injured numerous mourners.

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“Presently, security agents are busy arresting the Arbaeen Trek mourners. Medical practitioners are attending to those critically injured, and details of those killed, injured, and arrested will be made available to members of the press in due course.

“Before the commencement of the trek, we have searched all participants to ensure no infiltration, and the programme will end as scheduled.”

He said the Arbeen Trek that was conducted on Saturday at the Masaka and Zuba axis ended peacefully and successfully.

All efforts to get the immediate reaction of the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh were futile as calls and text messages put across to her were not responded to.

Details shortly…

Twenty rescued medical students adducted last week have been moved  to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory for examination.

The Nation gathered exclusively from one of the security personnel involved in the search and rescue operation, that one kidnapper was shot and killed while two were captured.

Benue Police Command confirmed the rescue of the 20 medical students on Friday night . 

The Nation gathered the medical students were rescued at Ajide  forest in Ukwonyo council ward, in  Ado Local Government Area of  Benue State. 

Ajide forest is sandwiched between Ado and  Okpokwu Local Government Areas in Benue South senatorial district.

The source said: “The security team and surveillance helicopters  were  stationed in  Utonkon, Ado Local Government Area before security personnel  stormed  the kidnappers den.

” We killed one and captured two and all the 20 rescued medical students have been moved  to Abuja for proper medical examination.”

DRACC Guest House Hall was venue recently as The Golden Crest Royal Academy, ACO Estate, Lugbe, Abuja held its graduation ceremony.

Reflecting on the school’s history since its inception on October 10, 2011, the proprietress, Dr. Mrs. Unenwojo Sarah Edah, said: “Starting as a creche with just one child, the school has grown through various stages, becoming a nursery in 2013, a primary school in 2014, a junior secondary in 2017, and finally, a senior secondary school in 2019”.

Dr. Edah expressed joy in providing employment opportunities for young Nigerian graduates, even as she emphasised the importance of mandatory educational qualifications for school staff, as required by the Federal Ministry of Education.

Eda attributed the school’s success to its commitment to continuous training for teachers, non-academic staff, security personnel, caregivers, and janitors, and a divine vision and calling, stating that the school as a ministry rather than a profit-driven enterprise.

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“The school’s mission is to advance the Kingdom of God through education, instilling spiritual, academic, and moral excellence in its students, in line with its motto, ‘Excellence By The Spirit.’”

Dan Adaolan was recognised as the best graduating student and most outstanding overall, having excelled in various competitions, including a National Spelling Bee.

The event saw the distribution of 572 awards to students and staff, with special acknowledgments from the non-governmental organisation, St. Philomena Foundation.

A northern group, Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence, has called on youths and other residents in Abuja to end all forms of protests and hostilities, and key into the economic support programmes put in place by the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.

The group, in an appeal message made available to journalists at the weekend, noted that the youths have a brighter future under the Wike-led FCT administration, with the recent establishment of a youth secretariat in the FCT.

According to the appeal message signed by its national chairman, Hon. Haruna Bature, the laudable youths-oriented programmes initiated by the Minister of the FCT cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of strife and pandemonium.

“With the view of fostering constructive engagements to proffer immediate, short term and long-term solutions to the economic hardships experienced by Youths and Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence is calling for an end to all forms of protests and hostilities by Youths and Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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“Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence expresses deep concern about the economic hardships experienced by our people and has therefore offered to create a platform for dialogue and constructive engagement between the Youths, Residents of the FCT and the Office of the Hon. Minister of the FCT.

“We are however aware that the Office of the Hon. Minister of the FCT has secured Mr. President’s Approval for the establishment of a Youth Secretariat in the FCT and has also commenced putting in place immediate/remedial, short term and long-term measures by providing foodstuffs at affordable prices.

“There is also financial support to farmers and traders to return to their farms and boost their productivity, support transporters access funds to acquire cost-effective vehicles, and provide access to secure areas of farming to boost food production among others.

The success of these laudable Programmes for the Youths and Residents by the Office of the Hon. Minister of the FCT cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of strife and pandemonium.

“Therefore, we wish to urge all Youths and Residents of the FCT to call the designated phone lines or reach out to the Economic Support and Development Desk Officers in their respective Area Councils for registration in the Area Town Hall Engagement Meetings.

“We strongly believe that, if the youths and residents of FCT embrace peace, dialogue, and key into these laudable programmes of the FCT under the Hon. Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, the future is going to be brighter,” Bature said.

…shop owners close shop at Karu market

The police in the Kurudu area in the suburb of Abuja metropolis clashed with some angry youths who attempted to block the road by setting up burn fires and preventing the free flow of traffic.

Attempts by the police to dialogue with the youths failed, leading to the use of teargas to disperse them, but that has not prevented them.

The youths claimed that they wanted to draw attention to their grievances, while the police said they were working to maintain order and restore normalcy to the area.

The confrontation between the police and the youths has brought traffic to a standstill, causing disruptions to daily activities.

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There are however concerns about safety and potential escalation of the protest in the area as the use of tear gas by the police has added to the tensions.

At the ever-busy Karu market, business activities have been significantly disrupted as some major shops remain closed due to fears by traders of a possible escalation of the protest.

A visit to Market revealed a significant decline in business activities, with most shops closed, while only petty traders are seen operating, and most shop owners are seen hanging around their shops, expressing concerns about the uncertain outcome of the planned protest.

Some of them expressed concerns about the unpredictable nature of the protest, citing the need to secure their businesses.

One shop owner, Emmanuel Ekpa said even though he arrived at the market, he refused to open his shop because he could not predict the eventual outcome nature of the protest, while appealing to the government to address the grievances of citizens rather than simply discouraging protests.

He also criticized the government’s response to the protest, saying, “It’s not enough for the government to say aggrieved citizens shouldn’t protest. They should attend to their demands. Nigerians are suffering, and those of us in business are finding things difficult. We can’t continue like this, so I’m in full support of the protest.”

However, Obe of those who opened their shop, Sarah Ameh said she felt compelled to open her business to ensure her family’s survival, emphasizing the importance of her daily sales to feed her family.

Abuja-based businessman, Adeniyi Bankole has opened the 9th Oliver Twist Supermarket in the nation’s capital.

Speaking at the unveiling of the supermarket in Lokogoma, located behind Shell Estate, Bankole hinged his success on his resolve to always progress regardless of the subsisting economic situation in the country.

Stating that the first Oliver Twist Supermarket opened in July 2019, Bankole said the idea was born out of a vision and passion to create a brand that will grow to empower people and serve as bedrock for positive social impact.

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He said the outlet has also helped reduce unemployment in the country, having employed over a hundred staff in its various stores.

“We are working assiduously to continue to spread outside Abuja, although this requires proper planning because we don’t want to grow to a stage where we would lose control, as is currently happening in some big stores and outlets.”

The business tycoon urged youths to shun the get-rich-quick syndrome and avoid short cuts that will lead them into the path of destruction.

Some of the other Oliver Twist stores can be found in Gwarimpa, Maitama, Lugbe Airport road, Kubwa among others.