Sahara Reporters Latest News Tuesday 30th July 2019
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 30/07/19
Read also
E2%80%99s-mother-n50m target=_blank>Kidnappers Reduce Ransom To Free Siasia’s Mother To N50m
The abductors of Samson Siasia’s mother, Mrs Beauty Ogere Siasia, have reduced their demand for the release of the 79-year-old woman to N50million from initial N70million, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Samson Siasia’s, a former Super Eagles striker and coach, and his family were understood to have pleaded with his mother’s abductors to accept N500, 000, explaining he has been out of a job for some time now.
The 79-year-old Beauty Ogere Siasia was kidnapped 16 days ago alongside 65-year-old Florence Donana and her 17-year old granddaughter.
The victims were taken away from their Odoni community, in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, on July 15 at about 2 a.m.
See Also
Breaking News
BREAKING: Gunmen Kidnap Ex-Super Eagles Player And Coach, Samson Siasia’s Mother
0 Comments
2 Weeks Ago
Siasia, however, begged the kidnappers to set his aged mother free unconditionally saying he was out of the job and had no such money to pay them.
“The kidnappers have reduced the ransom from N70m to N50m without consideration to the health of the woman.
“The family offered to pay N500,000 to secure the freedom of the woman but the kidnappers rebuffed the offer saying it was too small,” a family member said.
The family member raised concerns over the health of Ogere given the rainy season and extremely cold weather.
See Also
Sahara Reporters
Kidnappers Yet To Free Siasia’s 76-Year-Old Mother, 13 Days After
0 Comments
1 Day Ago
“We are begging the abductors to set our mother free. We don’t have the kind of money they are asking for. They should please respect the age of the woman and release her,” he appealed.
The Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Butswat Asinim, assured that the police were working seriously on the matter.
The whereabouts of the victims remain unknown.
CRIME
Insurgency
Police
Sports
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
target=_blank>YABATECH: Lecturers Withdraw From Part-Time Programmes
YABATECH
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, Yaba College of Technology, on Monday, withdrew its services from all the part-time programmes in the college, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
Mr Nureni Yekini, Chairman of the union, made the ASUP’s decision known to newsmen at the end of the union’s congress in Lagos State.
Yekinni said that the decision followed the shortfall in the payment of wages and allowances to ASUP members.
He said that all services had been suspended until further notice.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the congress reached the decision following various complaints from members over a shortfall in payment of wages and allowances by the management of the college.
According to him, today, members declared that they will withdraw their services from the part-time programmes until further notice.
“We have been trying to resolve it internally, but as at today, all academic staff in Yaba College of Technology have withdrawn their services from the part-time until those issues are addressed.
“We have been on it for long. On July 5, we discovered this amputated wages and we wrote the management immediately, but till today, the management has not responded to our letter,’’ he said.
Education
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
target=_blank>11 Safety Tips To Adopt Against Kidnapping On South-West Roads
Gunmen
Travelling on Nigerian roads have become more dangerous in recent times because of the activities of kidnappers and abductors. And the southwest roads are no different.
As reported, bandits, including foreigners, have invaded southwest forests, where they have set up temporary camps.
From these camps, they intermittently storm the highways and kidnap travellers, whom they hold and only release in exchange for ransoms.
They terrorise, defile and sometimes kill their victims.
Because of this, here are 11 tips to save you from kidnapping on the southwest roads:
1. Be vigilant at all times and review your security measures regularly.
2. As much as possible, avoid travelling at night. Limit travel after dark outside city centres as far as possible; and avoid quiet and poorly lit roads.
3. Take particular care if you’re visiting crowded public places or attending events which attract large crowds. Criminals often use these situations as cover for robbery and kidnapping.
4. High-profile Nigerians are frequently targeted; so, be discreet in the kinds of gadgets you display in your car when on the road.
5. Be mindful of curfews or restrictions that may be imposed on the movement of vehicles and persons, and don’t attempt to break any of them.
6. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and don’t wear valuable watches, jewellery or items of sentimental value that could attract undue attention to you.
7. Be particularly vigilant when sitting in traffic jams or at traffic lights. Keep car windows up and doors locked, and make sure valuables are out of sight.
8. If you feel your vehicle is being followed, drive to the nearest place of safety (e.g. the nearest police station).
9. You should take particular care when driving outside cities, and consider travelling in a convoy.
10. If you are travelling by public transport, board in designated motor parks, rather than standing by the road to solicit a free ride from strangers, or taking a cheaper alternative that could prove unwise.
11. If you’re driving your car, don’t pick up people at random. (Source: Gov.UK)
CRIME
Insurgency
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%99river-declares-public-holiday-plant-trees target=_blank>C’River Declares Public Holiday To Plant Trees
The Government of Cross River on Monday in Calabar, declared July 30 a public holiday for the planting of one million trees in a ceremony known as the Green Carnival, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
According to a statement by the Permanent Secretary, State Security Office, Dr Alfred Mboto, the general public should be informed that major routes in Calabar will be closed to motorists from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the tree planting.
Mboto said the closure was to give way to the green carnival train to freely move around the state capital and plant trees in designated spots.
The permanent secretary stressed that the state government hoped for strict compliance with this directive.
He said the areas in Calabar that would be closed included Botanical Garden Road, Target Road, Mary Slessor Avenue from Bogobiri to the College of Health Tech gate.
Also to be blocked are Marian Road, IBB Way and Calabar Road and Transcorp Hotel roundabout.
Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River had last Wednesday declared July 30, a public holiday for the planting of one million trees.
The governor had the statement through his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Christian Ita that setting aside a day for tree planting “underscores our readiness for the REDD+ and commitment to forest conservation and management.”
“REDD+ is Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, plus the sustainable management of forests, and the conservation and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.”
It is also an essential part of the global efforts to mitigate climate change, and FAO is supporting developing countries in their REDD+ processes.
FAO is also turning their political commitments as represented in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDD), into action on the ground.
Agriculture
Environment
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%93-anyim target=_blank>How Gowon, Others Saved Obasanjo From Impeachment – Anyim
A former President of the Senate and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Pius Anyim, has said members of the National Assembly were aggrieved with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the reason why they wanted to impeach him.
Anyim said the lawmakers were aggrieved that several presiding officers were removed under Obasanjo’s administration but were blackmailed from impeaching the President, ThePUNCH reports.
The former lawmaker said their grievances were expressed at a meeting by the Council of State, confirming the comment recently made by a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, that pleas were made to the National Assembly not to impeach Obasanjo.
Anyim spoke in Abuja on Monday at the second public lecture organised by National Assembly Legislative Digest, with the theme, ’20 Years of the National Assembly in the Fourth Republic: The Tasks Ahead of the Ninth National Assembly.’
The former SGF, who was chairman of the occasion, recalled that on May 29, 1999, the 4th National Assembly was inaugurated “with daunting challenges, most outstanding of which include Executive/Legislature tango on the selection of the leadership of the National Assembly.”
He said, “In quick succession, this challenge delivered three Presidents of the Senate in the 4th Senate, the last of whom is my humble self. I had to struggle to the very end, to hold on to the seat of the Senate President and administer the office to the best of my ability. At about the same period, there was also a change of Speaker in the House of Representatives, though in circumstances not similar and not as controversial as those of the Senate.
“The 5th Senate also witnessed a change of a presiding officer. I recently read a report in the media crediting Gen. Yakubu Gowon as stating how the body of former Heads of State persuaded the then leadership of the National Assembly not to impeach President Obasanjo.
“During our meeting with the former Heads of State, we shared one concern with them, i.e. that a situation where the impeachment of a presiding officer is regarded as democracy in action and, on the other hand, impeachment of a chief executive (president) is regarded as democracy under threat, was not acceptable.
“I wish to restate our view that impeachment of any elected official in any arm of government, especially when it is contrived, is unhealthy for our democratic progress. Accordingly, I urge both arms of government to strive to avoid impeachment for whatever reason.”
Anyim said the second challenge that confronted the 4th Nation Assembly was the issue of office accommodation for the members of the National Assembly.
He said, “We took up this challenge head-on. Whenever I visit the National Assembly today, particularly members in their offices, I feel that the sleepless nights we spent with the Julius Berger design team to finalise the design and size of the office complex was justified.
“I sincerely use this opportunity to thank the executive for their understanding and support, despite the disagreement on whether the National Assembly had the power to award the contract or not. Eventually, FCTA, which awarded the contract, has delivered on the job.”
The former SGF also gave credit to the Fourth National Assembly for leading the fight against corruption in the country, with the establishment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
“I am happy to state, finally, that all of us in the 4th NASS are proud to say that we cheerfully gave life to the fight against corruption. The ICPC Act was the first Act we passed and the EFCC Act was our last Act.
Both are designed for the lawful, institutional fight against corruption and abuse of office by elected officials and public servants,” he said.
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
target=_blank>Gunmen Kill Three, Injure Journalist
Benjamin Agesan, Benue State correspondent of Business Day Newspapers, was injured by unknown gunmen along Kastina-Ala to Makurdi on Monday.
Three people were killed in the same vehicle that was conveying Agesan, according to Punch Newspaper.
It was gathered that the vehicle was ambushed at Ogboma a few kilometres from Kastina-Ala.
The gunmen shot indiscriminately at the vehicle and in the process punctured the tyres, making it to summersault.
A colleague of the journalist, Jerry Iorngaem, who narrated the incident said Agesan was returning from Katsina-Ala from Makurdi when they were ambushed by the gunmen.
He said, “We learnt that the vehicle he (Agesan) later joined also conveyed produces collectors who were carrying a huge sum of money and were being trailed by the gunmen.
“Shortly after take-off, the gunmen trailed the vehicle to about 5km and shot sporadically at it and in the process punctured its tyres which caused it to summersault into the bush.
“They then ransacked the entire vehicle, killing three occupants while monies said to be in millions were also carted away by the gunmen, leaving the journalist in the pool of his blood.”
Agesan is currently receiving treatment at the State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
Recall that Kastina-Ala axis had been a haven of criminals suspected to be gang members of the wanted notorious criminal, Terwase Akwuasa, aka Gana.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Catherine Anene, said she was not aware of the incident.
Insurgency
Military
Terrorism
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
target=_blank>Bullets In El-Zazaky, Wife’s Bodies Since 2015 Responsible For Lead Poison, Says Falana
Femi Falana, lawyer of Ibrahim El-Zazaky and his wife, Zeenat, has said his clients have pellets of bullets lodging in their bodies.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria made the revelation on Monday after the Kaduna State High Court adjourned the ruling in the application for permission filed by El-Zazaky to travel for medical attention.
The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) had filed an application for permission to travel to India for medical attention, hinging his application on his ‘failing’ health.
However, the state High Court presided over by Justice Darius Khobo adjourned ruling on the application to August 5.
Briefing newsmen after the hearing, Falana said his clients— El-Zazaky and wife Zeenat– were in dire need of medical attention as the Nigeria’s government had refused to give them adequate medical care since their detention in 2015.
See Also
Sahara Reporters
EXCLUSIVE: How DSS Shunned El-Zakzaky’s Medical Report Despite Evidence He Needs Urgent Treatment
0 Comments
3 Hours Ago
Falana stated that pellets of bullets lodged in the bodies of both El-Zakzaky and his wife since 2015 had not been removed.
He said the continued stay of the pellets in their bodies had resulted in lead poisoning.
While expressing concern over the continued deteriorating condition of his client’s health, who he said had already lost an eye, Falana said there was an urgent need for them to travel abroad for medical care.
See Also
Sahara Reporters
Court Fixes August 5 To Rule On El-Zakzaky’s Application For Medical Treatment
0 Comments
9 Hours Ago
“In fact, he was not in court because his health had gone very bad. Even during last appearance, he could not climb the staircase to the courtroom. That is why we applied that he be excused from appearance in court and it was granted.
“The pellets in their bodies had resulted to lead poison and they need to be urgently removed by highly professional medical personnel,” he said.
He, however, expressed confidence that the court would grant his clients permission to travel for urgent medical care.
ACTIVISM
Human Rights
Islam
Legal
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
E2%80%99s-medical-report-despite-evidence-he-needs-urgent target=_blank>EXCLUSIVE: How DSS Shunned El-Zakzaky’s Medical Report Despite Evidence He Needs Urgent Treatment
Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky after being attacked by the Nigerian military
Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky after being attacked by the Nigerian military
Sahara Reporters Media
A document obtained by SaharaReporters has revealed that a medical examination conducted on the detained leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria by the Department of State Services, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, on July 8, 2019, shows that he is need of urgent medical treatment.
The DSS ordered test was conducted at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Department of Family Medicine on July 12, 2019, a few days before his legal counsel, Femi Falana filed a bail application urging the court to grant the detained Zakzaky permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The court had ordered another investigation of health claims despite existing proofs that Zakzaky is sick from the DSS.
The report signed by the Head of Family Medicine BDTH states that El-Zakzaky, who is 60 years old, is “hypertensive” and suffers from “Hemimiparesis with left facial neck paralysis 18 months ago, secondary to the Ischemic phenomena in the brain.”
It adds that the Shiite leader was in April 2019 diagnosed by a team of foreign doctors of having, “Ischaemic heart disease, left ventricular hypertrophy, chronic hypertension, cervical spondylitis causing nerve compression, right eye severe visual impairment with progressive open glaucoma, macular atrophy and left eye anophthalmia in addition to mental toxicity.”
The medical report for the DSS’ medical inquiry was signed by Dr Ramatu Abubakar (M.B.B.S, FMCFP, MRH), a Consultant Family Physician for the hospital.
El-Zakzaky remains detained despite a court order mandating his release. The IMN, which he leads, has also been described as a terrorist organization by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
ACTIVISM
Human Rights
Islam
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
target=_blank>BUK Professor Vows To Continue #FreeZakzaky Protest
Professor Dahiru Yahya of Bayero University, Kano has said the followers of Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky will continue to protest to demand the freedom of their leader.
The professor of history also condemned the move by the federal government to proscribe the religious group after tagging it a terrorist organization.
Speaking with journalists in Kano, Yahya said the allegiance of the followers of El-Zakzaky remained strong and unwavering.
He, however, said the Muslims followers of Shaikh Zakzaky would continue to press for the release of the Shiites leader.
“They are always peaceful and what they are doing is in line with their right according to the Nigerian constitution.
“The Shiites will continue practising their religious duties, as usual, no matter what will happen, and the #FreeZakzaky protest will continue until the demand is granted,” he said.
ACTIVISM
Human Rights
Islam
Politics
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
MURIC Backs Proscription of Shiite, Slams Christian Leaders For Shedding “Crocodile Tears”
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC
Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director of MURIC
The Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, on Monday, backed the Federal Government on the proscription of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, (aka Shiites) describing the action as a move to strengthen peace and harmony in Nigeria.
MURIC added that the proscription of Shiites would prevent Nigeria from battling with another security threat like Boko Haram.
The Director, MURIC, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, in a statement, urged the Iranian government not to interfere in internal affairs of a sovereign country, Nigeria.
The statement partly read, “MURIC considers the proscription of IMN as a decisive and necessary action. Nigerians who sincerely want to see peace and stability must, therefore, give the Nigerian government a free hand on this. Boko Haram would not have festered so badly had former President Goodluck Jonathan taken action when he should.
“It is also our considered opinion that members of the civil society and individuals defending the Shiites are not looking at the larger picture. The Federal Government has more comprehensive information. Civil society must ponder over Shiite ideology which rejects the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and all constituted authority within the country including traditional rulers.
“We recognize the right of Shiites to practice their faith but strictly within recognised rules of engagement. The organization stressed that IMN (aka Shiites) must respect the fundamental rights of their neighbours before embarking on any action.
“They must genuinely renounce violence and pledge to stop the harassment of other citizens. Not only that, they must review their revolutionary tenets particularly that which refuses to recognise federal and state governments. It is treasonable to vehemently persist that they will only recognise an Islamic government based on Shiite ideology alone.”
Urging Nigerians to back the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in proscribing IMN, MURIC argued that Shiites was proscribed for its violent propensity.
The group added, “It can be “deproscribed” when there is enough evidence that the group is no more violent.
“We appeal to Christian leaders to stop shedding crocodile tears over Shiite-FG imbroglio. We urge civil society and individual activists to desist from selective activism. Those who are silent on the hijab question vis a vis the oppression of the Muslim girl-child should not be quick to comment on the Shiite affair. It is sheer hypocrisy.”
While warning the Iranian government not to interfere in the face-off between the Federal Government and IMN, MURIC stated: “Iran is known to have executed Sunni Muslim leaders in its domain even without the latter engaging in any criminal activity.”
” This is a sovereign nation and any attempt to export the Ayatollah-style bloody revolution to Nigeria will be stiffly resisted by mainstream Muslims in the country. For the avoidance of doubt, MURIC is not interested in promoting a Sunni-Shiite dichotomy.
“We are for all Islamic groups. We are simply here to project, promote and protect the rights of all adherents of Islam.
“Nonetheless, we reject those who smear the image of Islam in any way and those who kill and maim followers of other religions and their fellow Muslims. We recognise the authority of the Federal Government of Nigeria as well as those of state governments and we will not associate with those who seek to render asunder the sovereignty of our great country, Nigeria.”
ACTIVISM
Free Speech
Human Rights
Islam
News
AddThis
:
Original Author
:
SaharaReporters, New York
Disable advertisements
:
You can also check
