Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Wednesday 23rd December 2020
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 23/12/20
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Be Prepared To Welcome Independence Of Oduduwa Republic Soon, Akintoye Tells Yoruba People
Professor Banji Akintoye
Professor Banji Akintoye, the Alana of Ilana Omo Oduduwa and a member of the Senate during the Second Republic, has said Yoruba people’s journey to redemption has begun.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the Media and Communications Secretary of the group, Akintoye said Yoruba people all over the world should be prepared to welcome their freedom in no distant future.
Professor Banji Akintoye
He said the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria and the amalgamation of 1914 of the Southern and Northern Protectorates in 1914 by the British were the means through which the assets and sovereignty of the people of the Middle Belt and southern parts of the country were hijacked.
He said, “The Yoruba journey to redemption has started, and soonest, we are going to reach our Canaan land without any bloodshed.”
The statement announced a former Commissioner for Education in Osun State and former Director of Institute of African Studies at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof Wale Adeniran, as the Interim National Chairman of Ilana Oodua, while a renowned architect, Opeoluwa George Akinola, was named the Interim General Secretary with an Ondo State-based varsity don, Kayode Akinwande, as his assistant.
Recently, particularly during the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, there have been more agitations by groups in the southern part of the country for secession from Nigeria despite the government repeatedly saying Nigeria’s unity is not negotiable.
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E2%80%93-dss Suicide Bombers Planning To Strike At Christmas – DSS
The Department of State Services (DSS) has said some criminal elements are planning to carry out violent attacks on public places during the Christmas season.
Peter Afunanya, spokesman for the DSS, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Afunanya, the attacks are to be executed with the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.
He asked Nigerians to be on the alert, saying the agency was taking steps to prevent such attacks from happening across the country.
The statement read, “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to inform the public about plans by some criminal elements to carry out violent attacks on public places, including key and vulnerable points during the Yuletide season.
“The planned dastardly acts are to be executed through the use of explosives, suicide bombing and other dangerous weapons.
“The objective is to create a general sense of fear among the people and subsequently undermine the government.
“Against this backdrop, citizens are called upon to be extra vigilant and report strange movements and indeed, all suspicions around them to security and law enforcement agencies.
“On its part, the Service is collaborating with other sister agencies to ensure that adequate measures are put in place for protection of lives and property.”
Afunanya provided emergency response numbers which he asked Nigerians to take advantage of.
“To further achieve this purpose, the Service has provided these emergency response numbers 08132222105 and 09030002189 for urgent contacts. It is also using this opportunity to unveil its interactive website www.dss.gov.ng for public communication support,” he said.
“Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of these platforms and similar ones provided by related agencies to timely reach and avail them (security agencies) of required information.”
In the past, there have bombings and attacks by insurgents on Christmas Day.
For instance, On December 25, 2011, there were a series of bomb attacks and shootings in Madalla, Niger State; Jos, Plateau State; and Gadaka and Damaturu in Yobe State, which reportedly left 41 people dead. The terrorist group, Boko Haram, later claimed responsibility for the attacks.
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Ijaw Protesters Barricade Delta Govt House, Gate Over Ward Crisis
Hundreds of placard-carrying protesters from Ogbe-ijoh urban communities barricaded the main gate of Government House, Asaba, Delta State Tuesday, demanding a ward in the Warri South Local Government in the state.
This is the third protest organised by the aggrieved Ogbe-Ijoh people since the ward creation in 2020 by Delta State Independent Commission.
They have organised two protests in Warri recently, drawing the state governor’s attention to their plight.
Speaking to journalists, community leaders, Mr. Friday Deinghan and King Jerry Prebor, expressed their disappointments with Ijaw people in Warri after being excluded in the recent ward creation in the Warri South Local Government Area.
The Warri South council has 19 wards; Urhobo, nine wards; Itsekiri, 10 wards, while the Ijaw people have no ward.
The protesters described it as injustice and an aberration to give the single ward allocated to Warri South council to the Itsekiri who already had 10.
They called on Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, to review the recent ward creation in the council area, so as to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
Addressing the protesters on behalf of the state government, the State Commissioner for Urban Development, Chief Arthur Akpowowo, commended them for the peaceful protest.
Akpowowo, who was flanked by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Chief Emmanuel Agbadugba, and the Commissioner for Energy, Mr Basil Ganagana, said the protest was legitimate and assured that a delegation of 10 persons from the protesters would be invited to dialogue with the government on how to best resolve their grievances.
Recently, the aggrieved youths of Ogbe-Ijoh embarked on a protest during which the main gate of Warri South council secretariat was barricaded. They called on Okowa to ensure there is justice by directing the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) to delineate just a single electoral ward for them.
A position paper presented to the press on behalf of the protesters was signed by the following persons: Comrade Nathaniel Oronomoni, Chairman, Ogbe-Ijoh Concern Youths Warri Kingdom; Comrade Lot Loyibo, Coordinator, Ijaw Delta Ijaw Political Assembly, DIPA, Warri South; HRH Jerry Prebor, Amananaowei of Meinbutus, Etumadimane Dames, Seyefa; Youth President, Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom and Okosu Smart; and IYC Chairman, Ogbe-Ijoh Warri kingdom. They warned that if justice was not seen to be done for the Ogbe-Ijoh urban communities by the DSIEC and Delta State government, they would have no other option but to resort to any possible means to draw public attention to the alleged connivance between DSIEC and Delta State government against them as a minority tribe in Warri South Council.
The protesters said their proposed ward had met all DSIEC requirements for ward creation in the state. So, they accused DSIEC and Delta State government of sidelining them in favour of the Urhobo and Itsekiri of Warri South Local Government Area.
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E2%80%93buhari Only God Can Effectively Supervise Nigeria-Niger Border –Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has said only God can effectively supervise the massive border between Nigeria and Niger Republic.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, President Buhari stated this in Abuja while receiving former Vice President Namadi Sambo.
Sambo heads the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Election Mission to the Republic of Niger.
The President said Nigeria would support Niger in its forthcoming presidential election.
“I come from Daura, (a) few kilometres to the Republic of Niger, so I should know a bit about that country. The president there is quite decent, and we are regularly in touch. He is sticking to the maximum term prescribed by the constitution of his country,” Buhari said.
“Also, we share more than 1,400 kilometres of border with that country, which can only be effectively supervised by God. I will speak with the President and offer his country our support. We need to do all we can to help stabilise the Sahel region, which is also in our own interest.”
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I’m After Justice Not To Smear Deeper Life’s Image, Says Mother Of Assaulted Schoolboy
Deborah Okezie, mother of Don David Archibong, a Junior Secondary School 1 student of Deeper Life High School, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, who was allegedly assaulted by his seniors, has dismissed claims that she is trying to tarnish the image of Deeper Life Bible Church.
Following her recent disclosure on Facebook Live that her son was abused in the school, some people have been accusing her of having an ulterior motive.
But on another Facebook Live session on Tuesday, Okezie quashed such claims, explaining that her actions were aimed at getting justice for her son.
The mother said she is someone who reports cases of injustice on her profile, adding that it is wrong for people to criticise her for her recent outburst.
She said, “For those who do not know me, go and check my profile, I have always fought against injustice. This is not the first time I would come on live broadcast. It is not about Deeper Life.”
Okezie said she was glad to have voiced out because another student had reached out to confide in her.
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Nigerians Demand Probe Of Deeper Life School Over Assault On Student
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She revealed that her son was fast recovering but still suffering from trauma. She added that efforts were ongoing to get a counsellor for him.
“He is responding to treatment but jolts from his sleep and says he feels that a senior wants to kick him in the head. We will get him a counsellor once he leaves the hospital so he can recover fully,” she added.
Okezie expressed her gratitude to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, who had set up a committee to investigate the matter within just two hours of getting to know about the case.
She continued: “This has really changed my orientation about our government; the governor of Akwa Ibom State came here in person. I am very grateful and the committee has commenced investigation into the matter.”
She promised to keep people in the know as regards the developments while expressing gratitude to Nigerians who have been supporting her quest for justice.
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EXPOSED: How Senior Police Officers Aided Escape Of 100 Robbery Suspects In Lagos
Hakeem Odumosu
At least 100 armed robbery suspects escaped from the Lagos State Police custody during the #EndSARS protest, SaharaReporters has gathered.
The suspects escaped from the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention centre in Ikeja.
Lagos CP Hakeem Odumosu
SaharaReporters learnt some senior police officers aided their escape a few days after the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, announced the disbandment of SARS.
Adamu had on October 11 announced the disbandment of the police unit following nationwide protests over its brutality.
“About 100 of them were released by some senior police officers immediately the IGP announced the disbandment of SARS. We have arrested two operatives; one of them confessed they did it to increase the rate of crime in Lagos which they intended to link to the disbandment of SARS.
“So far, we have arrested about 20 of the suspects; some of them couldn’t jump the fence when they were told to run away. Others were arrested while committing another offence,” a police source told SaharaReporters.
A notorious robber and rapist, Adeniyi Ajayi, was said to be among the fleeing suspects.
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Notorious Armed Robber, Adeniyi Ajayi Escapes From Police Detention In Lagos
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It will be recalled that Ajayi, aka Ogologo, was paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, in August 2020.
Speaking on how the suspect was arrested, Odumosu said he had robbed some female and male staff of a company on June 16, 2020.
Rather than showing remorse for his action, Ajayi begged the police to kill him, instead of sending him back to prison.
He said his modus operandi was to break into victims’ homes, ordering them to cooperate with him or risk being killed by other members of his gang whom he claimed had surrounded the building.
He confessed to having operated at Sabo, Ijora Badia and Lagos Island areas.
SaharaReporters gathered Ajayi had already robbed two families and raped a lady after he escaped from SARS custody.
A source said, “They said he uses juju. I don’t know what to believe, but the guy is quite artful and very prolific. He knows how to escape and evade arrest. We were on his trail for a while until, with the help of SARS, he was recently arrested.
“However, during the #EndSARS campaign, a neighbourhood security person informed me that the guy had been released. I didn’t believe it. I made calls to some SARS officers at the Lagos State Command of Nigeria.
“They told me it’s a lie, but my security source was adamant. Just last week, we got information that he robbed two homes recently and raped someone. When I confronted the SARS officers, they owned up that the guy is no longer in detention as he had escaped in the course of a purported jailbreak.
“This explanation sounded fishy because there was no report of a jailbreak anywhere in Lagos during the #EndSARS protests. So how come? Our lives are now in danger.”
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Syndicate In ABU Issuing Fake Certificates To Students, Workers tell VC
Some staff members of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, have revealed how a syndicate in the university has been issuing fake degree certificates to fraudulent students.
SaharaReporters learnt that one of a number of aggrieved workers attached to the Directorate of Academic Planning, Monitoring and Registry wrote an anonymous letter to the ABU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Kabir Bala, asking him to investigate the syndicate which was soiling the reputation of the university.
In the letter obtained by SaharaReporters, the workers explained that one of such instances was a Bachelor of Science in Physics, Second-Class Upper Division certificate, issued to a female student who had already been withdrawn from the school since 2015.
The said female student was withdrawn for poor performance, but the syndicate helped her to secure the ABU certificate.
The workers dared the VC to verify their claims from the Physics Department, while alleging that there is a cover-up in some of the affected departments.
The letter dated, December 17, 2020, partly reads, “We, the staff of the above unit of our great university, wish to bring to your notice the issuance of a fake degree result i.e. B.Sc. Physics (Second Class Upper) to a female student named Shafaatu Abdullahi with Registration number U15/PY/2014 who had been withdrawn from this university since 2015.
“She was withdrawn for poor academic performance. In fact, this candidate was withdrawn in her first academic session in the Physics department. Information that we sourced is that this same withdrawn student was provided with all the necessary documentations for her to be mobilised in the National Youth Service Corps programme. She is thus either mobilised in the NYSC scheme or about to. We have attached a copy of the fake statement of results for your inquiry.
“Sir, we are proud of this university and we felt we shouldn’t just remain mute. We are very sure that this BSc (Physics) result issued to this student is fake. We want you to confirm the result as any delay could jeopardise the standard of this great university.
“We are sure many staff members are aware of this habit of connivance of our staff with students to issue fake statements of results. It is no longer news or rumours that some do get away with these fake results of ABU, Zaria and secure jobs. The university needs to totally eradicate this crime before we totally lose our glory. We have confidence in you and are sure you will take decisive action.”
The letter was also copied to the Registrar, Director, Academic Planning, the Academic Staff Union of Universities and the Non-Academic Staff of Universities.
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Bandits In North-West Stockpile 70 AK-47 rifles, 191 Dane Guns
File Photo
The Nigerian Army has revealed how it was able to recover no fewer than 70 AK-47 rifles and 191 Dane guns from bandits and other criminal elements terrorising the North-West region of the country.
The army made the recoveries during Operation Sahel Sanity and Operation Hadarin Daji in the North-West which covers Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna states.
File photo used to illustrate story.
CrisisGroupOrg
Katsina has lately been under violent attacks despite the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari with two successive school abductions which attracted national and global condemnations.
The army noted that it had killed 210 bandits, arrested 326 suspected bandits, 46 logistics suppliers and 11 rustled cattle buyers.
The 17 Brigade Commander, Brig Gen W.B. Idris stated this when he received the Chief of the Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, during an operational visit to the Nigerian Army Special Super Camp 4 Faskari in Katsina State on Monday.
Buratai extended Operation Sahel Sanity which started around June and was supposed to end by December 2020 to March 2021.
He was thereafter briefed on the operational activities, successes and achievements of the troops.
“These included the neutralisation of 210 bandits, the arrest of 326 suspected bandits, 46 logistics suppliers and 11 rustled cattle buyers. Also, during the period, 70 AK 47 rifles, 191 Dane guns, 4,987 of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered.
“Similarly, 619 kidnapped victims, including the recently rescued 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, in conjunction with other security agencies were rescued.
“Also, during the period, 7,668 cows and 1,842 sheep were recovered and handed over to their owners,” the brief said.
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I Wish She Was Rescued Like Kankara Schoolboys, Leah Sharibu’s Father Recounts Grief As Daughter Spends 34 Months In Captivity
Nathan Sharibu, father of Leah Sharibu, the only remaining student abducted by Boko Haram insurgents from the 2018 Dapchi school kidnapping who has not been released, has appealed to the Nigerian government to secure the release of his daughter.
Leah, who was 14 years old at the time she was kidnapped, will be spending her third Christmas this year in Boko Haram captivity if she is not released by Friday.
In an exclusive interview with SaharaReporters, Nathan Sheribu, called on the Nigerian government to do everything to secure Leah’s freedom like it did recently when it secured the release of the kidnapped 344 students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State.
He said, “We’re pleading again, begging the authorities to help secure the release of my daughter. I believe it is possible because hundreds of schoolchildren were recently released in Katsina.
“We have been left in sorrow for almost three years now since Leah’s abduction. I know they (the government) gave us many promises but my daughter is still in the jungle.
“I believe in God, I believe He (God) can perform miracles; that’s why I still have hope that I will live to see my daughter return home to us.
“Yes, this is going to be her third Christmas since she was abducted in Dapchi, but we still have hope.”
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“B’Haram Still Holding Leah Sharibu” —CAN Backs US Blacklisting Of Nigeria For Religious Violations
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On whether he thought she had accepted Islam and believed she truly mothered a child for a top Boko Haram commander, Leah’s father, Mr. Sharibu, said, “All I’m saying is I’ll live to see her return home to us some day, God willing.”
Sadly, if nothing is done by the government to secure her freedom, it’s almost certain that Leah Sharibu would be spending her third Christmas in Boko Haram captivity.
In February 2018, a total of 110 girls were originally kidnapped in Dapchi, Yobe State, but five did not survive the ordeal. Leah, a Christian, was not released along with others because she refused to convert to Islam.
Despite promises by the President Muhammadu Buhari regime to secure her release, Leah has remained with her captors and has been confirmed to have mothered a child for a top Boko Haram commander.
On June 19, 2020, SaharaReporters broke the news that the teenage girl was delivered of a baby boy.
Confirming SaharaReporters’ story, Ahmed Salkida, a journalist with access to the terror group – Boko Haram – on Sunday, June 20, 2020, disclosed that indeed Leah Sharibu was now a mother.
Further confirming SaharaReporters’ story, Salkida in a post on Twitter, said, “Why, I wonder, do we pretend that leaving Leah behind won’t result in pregnancy?
“Since the terror group announced condemning her to slavery, is there any step or collective focus on preventing similar occurrences? She’s a mother, but I don’t know about the gender of the baby.”
A source had told SaharaReporters that the Christian teenager had given birth to a baby boy after being forced to convert to Islam and forcibly married to the unnamed Boko Haram commander.
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Leah Sharibu’s Parents Accuse Government Of Deceiving Nigerians
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Where Is Leah Sharibu? Does She Know It’s Christmas? By Fredrick Nwabufo
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Amotekun Confirms Gunmen Kidnapped Another Quarry Worker In Ibadan
Four armed men on Monday stormed a quarry located around Moniya in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to kidnap a female worker.
State Commandant of Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN), also known as Amotekun, Col Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), confirmed the abduction of the site worker.
Olayanju told journalists that members of the outfit were searching for the victim.
He said, “We have been on their trail since yesterday. We are in the bush currently in search of the lady.”
SaharaReporters learnt on Tuesday that her family and company where she works had not been contacted.
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