Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Monday 24th February 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 24/02/20
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Third Death Linked To Coronavirus Announced By Italy
An elderly cancer patient became the third person known to be infected with Coronavirus to die in Italy, health officials said on Sunday, as the number of people contracting the virus continued to mount.
The woman had been in hospital in Crema, located in Lombardy, where most cases of infections have been reported, according to the AFP.
“She had been hospitalised for a few days,” Giulio Gallera, Lombardy’s health chief, said during a news conference. “She’d been tested and they already knew she had Coronavirus.”
The head of Italy’s civil protection department, Angelo Borrelli, said 152 people had now tested positive for the virus, including the three deceased.
Italy became the first country in Europe to announce death from Coronavirus on Friday when a 78-year-old man died in the region of Veneto.
A 77-year-old woman died in Lombardy on Saturday, prompting new security measures by Italy’s government to contain the spread of the infection.
Eleven towns — 10 in Lombardy and one in Veneto — are now under lockdown, with residents prohibited from leaving.
Regional authorities have cancelled public events such as football matches and instructed schools to remain closed.
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A Disgrace On The Throne By Remi Oyeyemi
Remi Oyeyemi
Remi Oyeyemi
As a traditionalist and authentic Yorùbá son, I am very embarrassed. I am greatly discomforted. I feel personally humiliated. I feel personally insulted. I feel thoroughly disrespected. I feel dishonoured by this incivility on the throne. I feel greatly perturbed by this insolence, impudence and impiety. I am greatly worried that we have a thug on a revered throne. I really feel ashamed.
How this miasma came to be manifested has to be investigated. How a dog came to occupy the throne of a lion has to be revisited. How a stinking pig came to walk on a throne of white velvet has to be looked into. How a putrid character got the chance to contaminate a sanctified and sacred seat must be disconstructed. How a morally calcified crud came to cruise on a cherished cathedra must be disemboweled.
This is nauseating. This is disgusting. This is revolting. It is detestable and distasteful. It is repulsive and repugnant. Who were the decision makers that put him on the revered throne? Who were his sponsors? Who were his supporters? Who were those that carried the water for him? Who were those that recommended him? Who were the approving authorities of this charlatan?
A highly combustible shamelessness. An audacious disgrace. An unrestrained reprobate. A licentious loose cannon. A giddy goon gallivanting perniciously over a greatness built by generations of great characters. A misfit. A bohemian. A beatnik. Vacuous. Empty. Brainless. Thoughtless. Valueless.
What is happening in Yorùbá land? What is happening to Yorùbá nation? What has occurred to our great culture? What is happening to our tradition? How did we get here? How did a depraved degenerate get to occupy the shrine of our forefathers? How? Someone, please help me, how?
Definitely something could be done about this. Something must be done about this. This could no longer continue. An end has to come to this shenanigans. This is a travesty. This is grotesque. This is a mockery. A parody. A perversion. It could not continue to subsist. Not any further. Not anymore. Not even one more time.This has to be completely severed. And immediately too.
Suspension is not enough. It is not going to be enough. It won’t be enough. Suspension would not cut it. It would not do the job. Removal is the only solution. It is what is required. It is what would appease Elédùmarè, the God of our fathers. It is what would satisfy the spirit of our ancestors. It is what would delight the gods. It is what would cleanse the Stool of all desecrations.
He is a pumped up opprobrium. He has no scintilla of a sense of decency. He has no idea of what he does. He swims in the pool of alternative reality. He is creamed in a cocoon of mortified confusion. He is a bull in a china shop furiously seeking the grass to eat. He is in a wrong place. He does not belong. He has cinctured cognitive ability. His thought process is functionally arid.
That is why he is still brazenly loudmouthed. This is why he is still blatantly loquacious. It is the reason he is still garishly garrulous. It is why he is still bragging after disgracing the hallowed throne. It is why he is still granting interviews. It is why he is still all over the social media, acting comedically with fetid tinges of concentrated yèyénátù.
This is the throne once graced by the people of dignity and integrity like the Tadeses, the Lamuyes, the Osunwos, the Olayiwumis, the Adegunodos, the Ogunmakindes, the Gbases, the Abimbolas and the Adegoroyes. This is the throne that was once occupied by men of honour and characters like the Olufates, the Abanikandas, the Ajanis, the Omotoshos, the Olatunbosuns, the Adubiarans and many more.
It is a throne that has now become the playground of and for a corn artist. A fake. A phony. An impostor. A quack. He has given enough reasons for his DNA to be checked out. He is a doubtful true born. He is destroying 800 years of hard work, meticulously put together by men of vision and mission. He is pulling down a house that had taken 800 years to build by men of valor and character.
He has called himself an emir. He has called himself an Eze. He has called himself every and any despicable name that is antithetical to the duties and expectations of the throne he is desecrating. He has engaged in evey repugnant act to disgrace himself, his family, his ruling house, his people, his city, his race and Yorùbá nation. Suspension could not and would not solve this problem. Only removal from that stool would do.
The Iwo people needs our help to put an end to this blot. They should remember that no amount of money would repair the damages being visited on this throne The Goverment of Osun State needs our encouragement to be courageous. The Osun State Council of Obas need our support to be proactive. All Yorùbá people of good will must stand up and end this disgrace to our Nation, our land, our heritage, our history and our people.
This nonsense has gone on for too long. This is the time to end it.
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Insecurity: Catholic Bishops Urge Christians To Wear Black On Wednesday
Catholics in Nigeria have been asked to wear black outfits on Ash Wednesday to protest rising insecurity in the country.The directive was communicated in a statement by Catholics Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria. The statement signed by Augustine Akubeze and Camillus Umoh, President and Secretary of CBCN respectively, reads, “As a mark of mourning all our brothers and sisters who have been victims of the most recent wave of violence against Christians, we are all dressed in black today and offer our prayers and penance for their repose.“We invite the universal church and all Christians to join us in prayers for our dead brothers and sisters and for peace and security in Nigeria.“We equally appeal to the international community to come to the aid of the Nigerian Government in the fight against terrorists, who want to destabilise our country.“The repeated barbaric executions of Christians by Boko Haram insurgents and incessant cases of kidnapping for ransom linked to the same group and other terrorists have traumatised many citizens.”
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EXCLUSIVE: Navy Invades Ondo Coastal Communities, Destroys Valuables As Residents Flee Area
Illustration; Nigerian Navy.
Illustration; Nigerian Navy.
Residents of Ugbo Kingdom under Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State have fled their homes following an invasion of the region by men of the Nigerian Navy, SaharaReporters has learnt.
The invasion of the area comes barely a month after four naval ratings were killed at Gbagira Village and three foreign sailors abducted in the oil-rich kingdom.
The Nigerian Navy, however, soon announced the rescue of the three expatriates including Varonray Anandan (Indian), Roman Dmitriev and Mikhail Finenko (Russians) abducted aboard Sterling Global Oil vessel, MV AMBIKA.
The communities attacked by the naval personnel include Awoye, Mese, Gbagira and Odofado in Ugbo area of Ilaje Local Government Area.
Some residents, who spoke with SaharaReporters on Sunday, alleged that no fewer than three persons in one of the communities died during the invasion.
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They claimed that the incident led to destruction of lives and valuables, noting that economic activities had been paralysed as a result of the situation.
One resident, Mr Abiola Ikuoye, accused Commanding Officer of Nigerian Navy Fowarding Operating Base in Igbokoda, Danjuma Ndanusa, of ordering the invasion of the area.
He said, “It’s unfortunate that men of the Nigerian Navy in Igbokoda could twist the facts of the entire story.
“They claimed that our people in Ilaje killed the naval personnel whereas we know nothing about the issue including the abduction of the foreigners.
“It was a gang of sea pirates that abducted three foreigners in Bayelsa State and were later stranded in Gbagira in Ilaje area of Ondo State.”
According to Ikuoye, the abductors became stranded when the fuel in their boat ran out.
He said a fisherman going about his normal activity was held by the pirates in order to help them get fuel.
He added, “The fisherman agreed to help them but instead took one of the pirates to the Naval Base at Awoye.
“He hinted the navy personnel of the presence of the pirate and other gang members on the boat near Gbagira community.
“Later, the naval officers went after the pirates and engaged them in a gunfight, which led to the killing of their men while they fled with their victims.
“Instead of cooperating with us and appreciating what we are doing for them, they are killing our people and invading our homes.”
It was gathered that some indigenes of the affected communities, who took refuge in swampy forests in the wake of the invasion, are yet to return home.
A naval officer, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said they decided to visit the communities following intelligence report about the presence of pirates in the area.
He denied allegations that officers invaded the coastal communities to wreck havoc.
He said, “When our men were killed last month, they stole rifles and ran into the swampy forest while we issued some warning to them to return the arms and ammunition.
“We got intelligence reports that some of the inhabitants of these communities engaged in crime and even haboured criminals in their houses. We issued them a warning.
“They failed to listen, and rather than having a change of attitude, they kept attacking us and also engaged in all forms of crime to sabotage our efforts.”
Meanwhile, the Ugbo Central Working Committee has called for proper investigation into the invasion of the communities by the Nigerian Navy.
In a statement, the committee lamented the activities of the Nigerian Navy in Igbokoda Forwarding Operating Base under the watch of Commodore Danjuma Ndanusa.
The group said the authorities of the Nigerian Navy should also be mandated to repair all properties destroyed during the invasion of the communities.
It added that the navy should also provide locals declared missing when they invaded the area.
The committee said, “The Nigeria Navy should release our people arrested in connection with this incident without further delay.
“They should also be mandated to refund the looted money belonging to our people.
“There should be an urgent security meeting in Ilaje Local Government Area.”
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Memo To General Buratai On Alleged Army Consultants By Yushau A. Shuaib
“My namesake, I commend your relentless counterinsurgency media campaigns against our enemies, on a pro bono basis without a penny from the military. Please sustain the tempo.” – General Yushau Abubakar
General Buratai, the above message was sent to me by the first Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Yushau Mahmood Abubakar, when he was redeployed to the Nigerian Army Headquarters as Chief of Training and Operation in January 2016. He later died in a very mysterious accident along Damaturu-Maiduguri Road two months later in March 2016. It is one of several goodwill messages we receive from top military officers and soldiers on our media interventions. I must also appreciate your goodwill message too when I voluntarily retired from the public service last year.
As you are aware, this is not the first open letter to you or article that I have written about you and the Nigerian Army under your watch ( . I am writing presently to draw your attention to the highly libellous and defamatory rejoinder written about me by one Terrence Kuanum, who is allegedly working as a contractor/activist for and supported by the Nigerian Army.
In his over 3000 words-long defamatory piece, reveling in insidiously false claims, Mr. Terrence labeled me a Boko Haram supporter, ISWAP propagandist and that I was on the payroll of terrorists while offering his distorted and apparently suborned response to my recent Memo to President Buhari on the Service Chiefs.
In that memo, I had argued on the need for the present service chiefs to be let go when the ovation is still audible, and after giving the best of their skills to the nation, while also allowing for a smooth progression in service through the promotion of other competent military officers to the next level. My argument was anchored on the necessity of enabling a new cadre of officers and set of competencies to come through in the national security architecture, if the war on terror in the country must be won.
Yet, President Buhari has the right to decide otherwise, since he has signed the revised, though restricted, document on the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service for Nigerian Armed Forces Officer in 2018, which now includes a provision stating that: “Notwithstanding (retirement age or expiry of tenure), the President, C-in-C reserves the prerogative to extend the tenure of CDS/Service Chief irrespective of his age or length of Service.”
From available records and an Internet search, the activities and statements of the said Terrence revolve around his membership of a so-called Global Amnesty International Network, a National Coalition Against Terrorism, an obscure website known as Television Nigeria and other shadowy groups to support the Nigerian Army.
Surprisingly, in his deliberate effort to incite the military and the victims of terrorists against me, on the basis of false accusations, Terrence compromised the websites of highly credible, as well as notoriously incredible media platforms, by planting his offensive article, mostly without the knowledge of the publishers and editors of some of these platforms. Subsequently, about 15 of these media have had to delete the highly libellous content from their websites, while offering their profound apologies.
Considering the gravity of the false accusations and information that he has been sharing, coupled with the criminality of spreading fake news and hate speech, through the breaching of the standards of a number of media platforms, I have since petitioned security and intelligence agencies, including the Police, National Intelligence Agency and the Department for State Services to investigate these allegations and the motive behind the malicious attacks I have been subjected to. I have also provided these agencies with the details of the web links and screenshots of the websites on which this defamatory information has been circulated.
Surprisingly, more than two weeks after my petition, Terrence seems untouchable, as the security agencies have not been able to take any action on him, even as he has had the audacity to publicly launch a book in Abuja last week, where he blamed the victims of terror for being their own nemesis.
I feel disappointed that after serving critical institutions in Nigeria, the system appears not able or willing to protect one from malicious, inciteful and false allegations that could possibly lead to the loss of one’s life. Yet, only recently, security personnel arrested the young editor of an online medium, the webmaster of this medium, alongside one of its reporters, and arraigned them in court in another state over a harmless investigative report against drug addiction that was carried out. How come drawing attention to the sinister motivation behind such a grave matter as the false allegation of Boko Haram membership, which could possibly subject one to lynching, is being treated with levity?
General Buratai, sir, since your appointment as Chief of Army Staff, after your sojourn as the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Chad Republic in 2015, I and my organisation have reported the activities of the Nigerian Army at no single cost to the Nigerian Army till date.
When the alleged Dubai property of your family went viral, our platform, PRNigeria provided the other necessary perspective on the issue to the Nigerian public, on the basis of the information and documents provided to us by your associates and a presidential spokesperson. (
During the Shiite-Army fracas in December 2015, our medium, in close liaison with your spokesperson, became the major source of syndication of news and videos of your appeal to the protesters before the situation went awry a few days later ( .
We have also provided credible intelligence and engaged in and supported strategic media censorship for the protection of national security. These are facts that your respective spokespersons and spy chiefs can easily attest to pertaining to our professional integrity and ethical practice.
It, therefore, beats my imagination that a fellow associated with, patronized and allegedly funded by the Army could be allowed to disparage my reputation to no consequence till date.
My appeal to you as the Chief of Army Staff is to be wary of those who may be dropping your name or that of the military to engage in silly activities and criminal offences.
I also urge the security services to be fair and just in protecting and treating Nigerians equally before the law, especially on cases involved heavy cybercrime offences.
I trust that your sense of professionalism and reasonable conduct would make you investigate and call those behind this unfortunate situation to order. Thank you.
Yushau A. Shuaib is Founder PRNigeria and author of An Encounter with the Spymaster
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SARS, Why Are You Killing Us? By Adekunle Adeyemi (Scotty Aluta)
Scotty Aluta
Scotty Aluta
The recent horrific killing of a young Nigerian football player of Remo Stars FC by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad — an arm of the Nigeria Police Force is barbaric. SARS officers have received several condemnations for going after suspected internet fraudsters popularly known as ‘Yahoo Boys’, rather than spending more time to investigate cases of armed robbery which is their constitutional duty.
On no account should any security agency put an end to a common harmless Nigerian life when we have a working but compromised judicial system, suspected criminals are to be investigated and if found wanting, such person should be prosecuted and let the court of competent jurisdiction decide his/her fate.
SARS has, over the years, earned a notorious reputation of a brutal agency following cases of extrajudicial killings, torture, ill-treatment of detainees, and extortion of suspects. SARS needs an overhaul—not a ban—to check its excesses without trading off an increase in crime and overhauling SARS will require more than a presidential order.
Nigerians are now living in fear because the fear of SARS is the beginning of wisdom as it is now a prayer point in churches and mosques not to fall victim of SARS operatives. The Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Police force decided to turn deaf ears to people’s complaint over the activities of SARS. When Nigerians start resisting and carry out jungle justice on them, I hope they keep the same energy.
The violations of fundamental human right are even worse in SARS custody. Once grabbed or arrested, suspects are subjected to various degrees of torture in inhumane conditions. The different forms of torture melted on those detained have led to the death of so many young ones who sees themselves as leaders of tomorrow. Yet most of the cases were neither investigated nor were the culprits held responsible for their actions.
During the social media campaign of #ENDSARS, the Inspector-General of Police promised to reform the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The IGP released a statement on January 21, 2020, stating that the Special Anti-Robbery Squad has been reformed. The Unit is no longer allowed to be involved in stop and search exercise unless there is a distress call from a victim but reverse is the case. Who is deceiving who?
The Nigerian Police Act outlines duties of the Nigerian police force which include ‘protection of life and property, apprehension of offenders, preservation of law and order and the prevention of crime’, not going after Internet fraudsters (Yahoo boys) and killing innocent Nigerians.
I join well meaning Nigerians, especially the youth populace to call on the Federal Government and the IGP to look into the menace SARS officials has turned themselves into, we need to put an end to these senseless killings of innocent Nigerians.
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Adekunle Adeyemi (Scotty Aluta)
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Copyright Commission Invites Author, Ozikpu, Over Petition On Alleged Copyright Infringement
Elias Ozikpu
Elias Ozikpu
The Nigerian Copyright Commission has invited an activist and author, Elias Ozikpu, over a petition written by his lawyer following an alleged infringement on the copyright to his play entitled, “Heroes of the Night”.
Rockson Igelige, counsel to Ozikpu, via a petition dated February 9, 2020 and addressed to the Director-General of the NCC, accused Melrose Books and Publishing Ltd, Macmillan Nigeria Publishers Ltd and Universal Basic Education Commission, of publishing and reprinting his client’s literary work since 2012 and distributing same to schools throughout Nigeria without the prior knowledge and consent of his client.
The author, through his lawyer, asked the commission to invoke its investigative and prosecutorial powers under the Nigerian Copyright Act to protect his copyright and ensure violators are duly sanctioned.
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Lawyer Accuses Melrose, Macmillan Of Intellectual Theft
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The Nigerian Copyright Commission has now reacted to the petition, inviting Ozikpu to formally present his case at its headquarters.
NCC’s letter to Ozikpu obtained by SaharaReporters, reads in parts, “I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated February 9, 2020 and to inform you that investigation has commenced.
“In this connection, you are therefore invited for a meeting with the investigation team.”
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Deontay Wilder Rushed To Hospital After Defeat To Tyson Fury
Deontay Wilder was rushed to a hospital after his defeat to Tyson Fury in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States, on Saturday night.
Wilder was dominated by Fury as he suffered the first professional defeat of his career, being knocked down twice en route a stoppage defeat in the seventh round, according to Independent UK.
It was the first knockdown, which saw Wilder sustain the injury that would eventually be the difference as Fury swung a right hook towards the back of his head, bouncing off the ear and possibly perforating the eardrum.
Wilder was then dominated by body and head shots to which he had no real answer until his corner decided the fight could be no more and brought to a close towards the end of the seventh round.
Fury was then crowned WBC heavyweight champion before both men spoke graciously in the ring, as Wilder skipped the post-fight press conference and was taken immediately to hospital to be examined for possible ear injuries as well as a general observation.
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Diaspora Group Tackles Buhari Over Insecurity, Poverty In Nigeria
A group, Concerned Nigerians in Canada, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately resign from office following the rising spate of insecurity and poverty in the country.
Decrying latest attacks on helpless citizens by Boko Haram terrorists in the North-East region of Nigeria, the group said that the administration of Buhari had failed woefully in protecting Nigerians and creating avenues for economic empowerment for the people.
In a statement by Convener of the group, Olujimi Adekanle, and addressed to House of Commons Government of Canada, Catholic Archdiocese of Canada, Amnesty International among others, Concerned Nigerians in Canada disclosed that they would soon embark on a global protest against the government of President Buhari for failing to deliver on promises made before coming into office.
The statement reads, “We want to register our fears and utter disappointment at the leadership and government of President Muhammed Buhari.
“Events and heart-breaking happenings in our country as a result of gross incompetence of the Buhari administration can no longer be tolerated judging by the humongous negative effect they are having on our nation.
“We unequivocally submit that Buhari’s government has failed in all departments of governance and he has become nothing but a puppet in the hands of his cabal.
“The recent infighting between the National Security Adviser, General Monguno (retd), and Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, is a signal that all is not well with Nigeria’s security system. Buhari has totally lost it.
“Nigeria went in search of solution and elected a problem, today we have graduated to the third position in global terrorism index after Syria and Iran.
“What is obvious to the whole world is that rather than face good governance and delivery of his campaign promises for public good, Buhari and his cohorts have continued to engage in lethargic divisive ethnic and sectarian sentimentality with alarming impunity.
“We can no longer entrust our collective destiny in the hands of such wicked leaders and therefore call on Nigerian patriots world over to rise up to this occasion to join us to resist Buhari’s government of total failure.
“We want to assure you that a protest will be staged round the globe to finally end a grossly incompetent and self-centred government.
“We beckon on all well-meaning Nigerians to support us in our quest to take our Nigeria back from evil leaders benefiting from terror in our nation.”
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E2%80%93emir-kano Begging Not Allowed In Islam –Emir Of Kano
Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi
Emir of Kano Lamido Sanusi
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The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has said that begging of alms was not allowed in Islam.
The traditional ruler and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said this at the National Conference on Alarammomi (Qur’anic teachers) on Saturday.
He also stated that beggars should direct their entreaties to the government and not the people around them.
He said, “Begging is disallowed in Islam and if you must beg for alms beg the government, not individuals or relatives.
“It is better for you to cut firewood and sell to earn a living than to beg.
“Those who beg or seek assistance from individuals will be resurrected on the day of judgment without meat/flesh on their faces.
“And if you must beg, then beg the government not individuals or relatives. This is because they should be responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of citizens.
“Individuals, relatives or neighbours can assist you as gestures of kindness and generosity, but that’s not necessary.
“So, those who are saying that begging is not prohibited in Islam are just misleading you,
“Programmes like cash transfer and many more can assist in tackling these problem. So, we urge the government to sustain the cash transfer programme and come up with many more.”
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