The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigeria newspaper

  • Female lawmaker beaten up by colleague

    A member of the Kenyan Parliament representing Wajir East, Rashid Kassim has been arrested hours after allegedly assaulting Wajir County Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi.

    Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Gedi was allegedly beaten up on Thursday morning by Wajir East MP Rashid Amin in the parliament building.

    It is alleged that Gedi engaged him in a heated discussion before she was assaulted by the MP.

    The MP demanded to know why Gedi, who is a member of the budget committee, did not allocate any money to his Wajir East constituency.

    Gedi narrated that she was with her Homa Bay counterpart Gladys Wanga when she met the Wajir East lawmaker.

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    “He called me stupid and nonsense and then he beat me. I was shocked, I could not believe it. He came again and hit me.

    “I told him that Wajir County was only allocated Ksh100 million and we had to allocate money to only areas of priority to the region like water and roads but he told me that was nonsense,” she highlighted.

    The Home Bay Woman Representative confirmed she was present during the incident citing, they were heading to the Protection House when Amin met her.

    “They started to converse in Somali so I just stood by to wait for Gedi. A few minutes into the conversation I just saw him hitting Gedi on the cheek, she was crying and bleeding. I didn’t know what could lead to that.

    “I was surprised that a colleague can assault a female member,” Wanga narrated.

    Gedi was then taken to the Karen Hospital for treatment.

     

    NAN

  • Falae’s kidnap experience will not happen in Oyo, says Makinde

    Following calls for better security measures to tackle the spate of kidnappings across the country, especially in the Southwest region, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has assured the people of the State that the experience of the revered former Secretary to the federation and Afenifere leader, Chief Olu Falae in the hands of bandits at his farm in Ondo State would not repeat itself in Oyo State.

    The governor gave the assurance on Thursday while addressing members of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Nigerian Union of Journalists and other stakeholders who were at the state secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan during a peaceful protest march to call attention to the increasing spate of kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria, especially in the Southwest region.

    The walk tagged “Walks for Stop The Kidnapping Now” took off from the Mapo hall before terminating at the Agodi State Secretariat, Ibadan.

    The women journalists also used the occasion to present a letter to the governor on their demand for secured Yoruba states and stoppage of violence against women as well as the implementation of the Child Right Laws in the State.

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    Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka while receiving the protesters, Makinde assures that the security of lives and properties of the people of Oyo State remains paramount in his mind and would always make it a top priority.

    He added that the state government had put all measures in place to preempt and forestall kidnap of high profile individuals as well as all indigenes and residents by holding constant meetings with security stakeholders and leaders of thought in the state.

    Ilaka said, “Governor Seyi Makinde is a governor that understands his duties and responsibilities as the Chief Security Officer of this state, and I know and speak without any fear of contradiction that he owes the life of every single person in this state sacred and he will not tolerate or allow any pervading insecurity around Southwest to extend to Oyo State.

    “I am sure the governor will use his office to champion the cause for a secured Southwest. I also know that our father that we all know, Chief Olu Falae who is a leading light in the Afenifere movement also suffered in the hands of these obnoxious individuals who are popping up all over the place. We say to you, we will not allow such to happen in Oyo State.
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  • 15 police officers in detention over extortion

    The leadership of the Abia State Police Command says it has arrested 15 police personnel under its command for allegedly extorting money from motorists and other members of the public.

    The police officers, it was learnt are standing orderly room trial at the command’s Headquarters in Umuahia, the state capital.

    The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ene Okon who disclosed this in Aba said that the command would not shield any corrupt person within its workforce that is trying to tarnish its good image.

    The CP who was reacting to the calls made by some traditional rulers during a Town Hall Meeting in Aba, asking him to call some of his extortionist officers to order, assured that the Nigeria Police does not shield anyone with criminal behaviour.

    Okon pointed out that the command is determined to get rid of bad eggs among its personnel, stressing that it was why it declared one Sergeant Collins Akpugo wanted for killing Mr. Christian Onuoha in Umuahia.

    He further disclosed that a reward of N500, 000 will be given to whoever has information on his way about.

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    Okon who maintained that bail is free, however, urged the members of the public to resist the urge of giving money to any officers who tried to extort them, stressing that every citizen ought to know his right and stand on it.

    “We are the only organization that when you err, we punish. All of you must have heard about a policeman that shot somebody and killed on the 4th of June in Afara Umuahia?

    “After killing, he ran away and disappeared. We have declared him wanted and we have placed N500,000 on his head. Anybody that will give us Information on his arrest collects N500,000 cash from me,” the CP said.

    Speaking on bribery and extortion by police officers, Okon said “It takes two to tangle. If you don’t give the police will not take. It starts with you. If you know that you’ve not done anything wrong, if you know that you’re operating your joint according to rules, if a policeman comes, you prove to him that you know you’re right.

    “I don’t know that policeman that will not be afraid to even tell you to bring knowing that you know your right. Insist that you know your right. Let me be very frank to you, I am not supporting police collecting any money.

    “As I’m talking to you, I have 15 policemen in my cell. 7 were arrested here at Opobo Junction when I heard the information that they were collecting money. I sent out my monitoring unit and my monitoring unit went there and met them in the act and arrested them.

    “I subjected them to investigation and we have completed investigation and they’re undergoing ‘orderly room trials’. Let God be with them if they’ll escape. At the end of the day, they’ll turn to civilians and be giving money too and see how painful it is.

    “I have monitoring unit. We are not sleeping on it. I don’t like it, but you too must stop giving. If you don’t give, they’ll not take. Insist on your right. My phone number is here, call me, give me the information and see what will happen.”

  • Atiku seeks tribunal’s permission to inspect INEC’s server

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, prayed the Presidential tribunal to order the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to grant them access to inspect the commission’s saver.

    The PDP also prayed the tribunal to give it permission to inspect other electronic gadgets used by INEC in the Feb. 23 presidential election.

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    NAN reports that in their petition before the tribunal, the PDP and Atiku are claiming that they won the Feb. 23 presidential election as per the results fed into INEC’s server, a claim the electoral umpire has consistently faulted.

  • 9th Reps hold first plenary session

    The 9th House of Assembly on Thursday held its first plenary after members were inaugurated on Tuesday, June 11, 2019.

    The Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC-Lagos) swore-in Rep. Musa Sarki-Adar(APC-Sokoto) who was absent at the Tuesday’s inauguration.

    The oath of office was administered by the Clerk of the house, Mr Patrick Giwa at plenary in Abuja.

    The swearing-in was delayed for about 8 minutes as the microphone attached to the seat of the speaker was malfunctioning.

    Gbajabiamila ordered the clerk to delegate some members of staff to check the entire sound system daily before the commencement of plenary.

    He also mandated that the clerk to notify the President, the Senate and the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria that the house had elected Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila and Rep. Idris Wase as presiding officers and could now receive communications.

    The house at its maiden plenary entertained two motion of Urgent Public Importance bothering on security and environmental hazards.

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    Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) moved a motion on the need to urgently address erosion and floods ravaging Nkpa and surrounding communities in Bande Federal Constituency of Abia.

    Rep. Muraina Ajibola (PDP-Oyo) moved a motion on the need to address the spate of killing and kidnapping across country.

    Members unanimously voted in favour of the motions and Gbajabiamila ruled that the resolutions be forwarded to relevant agencies for implementation.

  • Bandits kill 62 in Niger, sack 8 villages

    Armed bandits in a continued attack in Shiroro local government area of Niger state has killed 62 more people displacing over 1000 people.

    It was gathered that the attack which began on Sunday has spread to eight more villages as the casualty figures continue to rise and displaced villagers are now staying in several IDP camps.

    A report made available to newsmen by the Senator representing Niger East Constituency, Senator David Umaru revealed that 19 people were killed in Kwaki village, 14 in Barden Dawaki village, 8 died in Ajatawyi village, 7 in Gwassa, 5 in Ajayin Bataro, 4 others in Bwailo, 3 in Baton village and 2 reported dead in Giji village.

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    The Senator called for security agents, especially the military to be drafted to the affected areas to curtail the killing spree of the bandits who have continued their killings in a deliberate and fearless manner.

    “I appeal to President Buhari to order the military into the area to stop the bandits. I am also calling on the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Div Nigeria Army Kaduna to deploy more personnel to save the villagers from the onslaught of the bandits”.

    Confirming the attacks and killings, the Police Public Relations Officer Muhammad Abubakar told our Correspondent on phone that they only had 12 deaths on record but they have sent their officers to the villages to get the true state of the situation.

  • Buhari greets Sam Amuka-Pemu at 84

    President Muhammadu Buhari has felicitated with the Chairman and Publisher of Vanguard Media Limited, Sam Amuka-Pemu, on the occasion of his 84th birthday anniversary.

    President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, joined family of the media icon, the media industry in Nigeria and beyond, to celebrate the award-winning journalist, columnist, publisher and elder statesman who has stirred the conscience of the nation for the greater part of his lifetime.

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    He believed that Uncle Sam’s deep understanding and patriotic appreciation of Nigeria, his devotion, sense of duty and leadership in the media industry, are example to all of us.

    The President recognized the octogenarian’s unrelenting contributions to promoting professionalism in the media industry at a time when disinformation and fake news threaten the very essence of a free and unbiased press in a democratic society.

    On behalf of all Nigerians who believe in the values the veteran journalist has championed as a consummate professional in the Nigerian Press, President Buhari wished Mr Amuka-Pemu good health, happiness and God’s continued benevolence on this special day.

  • Buhari restates Nigeria’s support for Sahrawi Republic

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday in Abuja restated Nigeria’s support for the people of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), and their quest for self-determination and independence.

    At an audience granted the President of SADR, Brahim Ghali at the State House, the Nigerian leader said that the country’s position is in line with the several resolutions of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) on the matter.

    According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, the President said “Nigeria remains committed to supporting the efforts of the AU and the UN towards finding a lasting solution to the Sahrawi problem.”

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    Earlier, President Ghali had congratulated President Buhari on his re-election and the successful celebration of Democracy Day.

    He commended Nigeria’s past support for SADR during President Buhari’s tenure as military Head of State, and the country’s support for liberation movements on the African continent.

    The SADR leader said the weight of Nigeria’s support remained crucial to the final resolution of the “continued colonisation of his people.”

    It would be recalled that Nigeria recognised SADR on November 11, 1984 when General Buhari was Head of State.

  • Updated: Navy destroys 2829 unserviceable firearms surrendered by Ondo militants, others

    The Nigerian Navy (NN) on Thursday commenced the manual destruction of 2,829 firearms recovered from Ondo State Amnesty Programme and unserviceable weapons belonging to the service.

    The Nation reports that 475 of the firearms were service rifles of the navy which were no longer useable, while 2,281 were recovered from repentant militants in Ondo State last year.

    The exercise which was organised by the Naval Ordinance Depot (NOD) Ojo following approval by the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, was the first since the depot’s establishment in 1966.

    According to the Admiral Superintendent NOD, Rear Admiral Abdul Adamu, the weapons comprised 2,108 single barrel rifles, 57 units of double barrel rifles, 189 short guns, 187 FN (Fabrique Nationale) rifles, 215 SIG (Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft) rifles and 73SMGs (Sub Machine Guns).

    “The depot was established in 1966 as a strategic naval establishment primarily responsible for the storage and issuance of arms and ammunition to NN fleet and establishments.

    “Its overtime roles expanded to include installation, servicing and on demand, maintenance of arms onboard NN ships. The depot also caters for sister services in storing their ordinances from time to time.

    “The naval headquarters recently authorised the depot to destroy the unserviceable weapons which comprised weapons seized from repentant militants by the Ondo State Amnesty Programme and unserviceable NN weapons. These consist of 2,108 single barrel rifles, 57 units of double barrel rifles, 189 short guns, 187 FN rifles, 215 SIG rifles and 73 SMGs which are earmarked for destruction during this exercise.

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    “It is also significant to state that the exercise will be conducted for two days to ensure that the weapons are rendered unusable. This would involve cutting of the barrels into tiny unusable pieces and finally burying the pieced weapons in a dug hole at the depot.

    “It is believed that this approach will permanently deny criminals and miscreants access to the seized weapons which could pose security threats to the society.
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  • Asset declaration: Nwaoboshi gets reprieve as court halts arrest by SPIP

    The Senator representing Delta North, Peter Nwaoboshi, on Thursday got a reprieve from arrest and other punitive actions against him by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for recovery of public property.

    A Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice J. T. Tsoho, who granted order, directed that the status quo as at the 31st day of May 2019, be maintained in respect of the matter of alleged non-declaration of asset which the Presidential panel has been investigating against Nwaoboshi.

    “Upon this motion, Ex-party dated, 08/6/2019but filed on 10/06/2019, the court ordered that the status quo as at 31st day of May 2019, in respect of this matter be maintained pending the hearing and determination of the Applicants.

    The suit was adjourned to the 25th of June, 2019 for hearing of the Applicant’s Motion on Notice.

    In the Originating motion, Nwaoboshi asked the Court for an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the Respondents (SPIP and its chairman, Okoi Obono-Obla) , by themselves or any one of them, their servants, agents, officials and/or privies from continuing to harass, intimidate, threaten and or disturb the Applicant (Nwaoboshi) over and, concerning any alleged declaration of assets; and in particular, from taking any step or further step and/or action in furtherance of the purported.

    “Notice to declare assets” said to have been dated the 15th September 2018 but served on the Applicant’s gateman, one Suleiman Abubakar at the Applicant’s residence No; 25, 6932 Road, Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, FCT on Monday, the 3rd June, 2019 as well as the said “Investigation Activities: Invitation Letter” dated 6th June 2019 and served late in the night of the same date on the Applicant’s Personal Assistant, one Ken Ifeanyichukwu at the Applicant’s said Gwarimpa Estate, Abuja, FCT residence pending the hearing and final determination Of the Applicant’s Originating application in this Suit.”

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    The SPIP had last Monday asked the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) to commence a proper prosecution against Nwaoboshi over his alleged failure to declare his assets when he was given an asset declaration form to fill during his interrogation by the panel.

    The Senator was alleged to have corruptly enriched himself and abused his position as Chairman of Senate Committee of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDCC) through the award of multi-billion naira contracts to companies linked to him but failed to execute the projects.

    According to the SPIP, Nwaoboshi has refused to declare his assets before the panel after lawful demand by the special presidential investigation panel,”

    “This refusal is contrary to and punishable under section 3(i)(a) of the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provisions) Act 2004.

    “It shall be appreciated if a charge is brought against him for this offence pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    “We hereby attach a draft charge against him, for your perusal and further action, please.” SPIP had stated.