Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Friday 2nd April 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 02/04/21
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E2%80%98-gun-battle-lasted-more-10-minutes%E2%80%99-%E2%80%93-soludo-breaks-silence-assassination-attempt-his ‘The Gun Battle Lasted More Than 10 Minutes’ – Soludo Breaks Silence On Assassination Attempt On His Life
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Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Chukwuma Soludo, has spoken finally about the assassination attempt on him, saying the gun battle between his assailants and his security aides lasted for more than 10 minutes.
Soludo was attacked during a town hall meeting at the Isuofia community in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Wednesday, during which three of his security aides were Killed.
The governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Grand Alliance was in the community for an interaction session.
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BREAKING: Gunmen Attack Former CBN Governor, Soludo In Anambra, Kill Three Policemen
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Soludo spoke about the incident on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He said: “When it was all over, it took several minutes, 10 or 15 minutes of continuous gun battles going back and forth of stopping, starting again.
“By the time we all came back, we saw three bodies lying in a pool of blood. They were the three policemen. May God grant their soul eternal rest.
“At first, I thought, maybe the policemen were shooting in the air. Until I began to hear people screaming and all of that and everybody just scampered for safety.
“Just as I was about to wrap up the town hall meeting and said finally for them now to open up for comments and answers, there were gunshots.”
He commiserated with the families of the slain officers while pledging to support them.
He described the attack as senseless, noting that no political office should be worth the blood of a chicken, let alone human life.
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Yoruba Nation: Gani Adams Says No Going Back On Call For Oduduwa Republic
Gani Adams
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has said the South-West’s quest for secession and establishment of Oduduwa Republic is not negotiable.
In an interview with BBC Yoruba, Gani Adams said he is solidly behind Yoruba people in their quest for secession.
Gani Adams
He also addressed the security threats bedevilling the South-West region, describing such as unfortunate.
He said, “Whatever they want is what I also want. But we are supposed to ask where our kings, leaders and politicians are going because I also want the Oduduwa nation.
“There are many activists around the world who say they want the Oduduwa Republic. Never will I be the enemy of the Yorubas, and we do our virtual meetings and it is obvious that our people want the independence of the Oduduwa nation.”
“It is the fault of security chiefs who have failed in their responsibilities to protect citizens, that is why people are agitating for the creation of Oduduwa nation but if the security forces join hands together with the citizens, we will be assured of strong security.”
He said although insecurity problems affect all the states in the country, it has been worse in some regions in the past six months.
Gani Adams said he has started working together with different groups and there are plans to protect the people of the South-West region against kidnappers and bandits.
According to him, the meeting has started yielding good results.
“We have written letters to all the Obas in Yorubaland, and I signed the letters alongside members of the Oodua Peoples Congress and security guards to report any issue of insecurity,” he said.
He said the security threat in Nigeria is very pronounced for all to see, adding that security operatives in Nigeria should be asked if they are ready to protect Nigerians.
His comment comes amid President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance that Nigeria is indivisible.
He stated this during the 12th Asiwaju Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Kano state, with the theme “Our Common Bond, Our Common Wealth: The Imperative of National Cohesion for Growth and Prosperity.”
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BREAKING: Nigerian Army Currently Engaging ESN Operatives In Gun Battle In Nsukka
Troops of the Nigerian Army are currently battling gunmen suspected to be operatives of the Eastern Security Network in Nsukka town of Enugu State.
SaharaReporters learnt that there has been apprehension in certain parts of the town since Wednesday.
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It was learnt that the military took the battle to suspected ESN operatives where they believed they were hiding.
A source in the area said there is tension while the gun battle rages on.
According to the source, many people have abandoned their houses and fled to neighbouring communities.
“Soldiers of the Nigerian Army are currently locked in a gun battle with ESN boys in Nsukka. They have been clashing since yesterday evening and some parts of the town are still tense. Heavy shooting presently going on,” he stated.
SaharaReporters had on Tuesday reported that eight persons were killed after Fulani herdsmen and operatives of the ESN had a violent clash in Adani area in the Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State.
SaharaReporters had stated that the ESN operatives came to support the Igga community who were being allegedly attacked by the rampaging herdsmen in their farms and houses.
Eyewitnesses had narrated that trouble started on Sunday when some Fulani herdsmen shot a member of the community on his farm and also blocked sympathisers from taking the victim to hospital.
“It was the refusal of the Fulani herdsmen to prevent the wounded farmer from being rushed to hospital that triggered angry reactions from residents, who called the attention of some members of the Eastern Security Network to the assault.
“It led to a terrible, bloody showdown between the herders and the ESN. Eight persons were killed. I cannot say if they were herdsmen or villagers,” the source had added.
Another source explained that while the herdsmen formed a barricade to prevent the young farmer from being rushed to hospital, the ESN operatives came on motorcycles and shot at the crowd of people barricading the injured farmer.
“After that episode played out, a mosque was also razed by angry youths in the community leading to many residents of Adani, an agricultural community, fleeing the area to neighbouring communities in Nsukka and Igboetiti local government areas,” he said.
Some of the fleeing Adani residents explained that the ESN operatives were in bushes and sighted by hunters and local vigilantes searching for the Fulani herdsmen and their cattle – a situation which had led to tension in the area.
The residents noted that they feared the herdsmen might be planning to stage a reprisal.
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India Deports Nigerian Woman For Illegal Stay
A yet-to-be-identified Nigerian woman has been deported from India for illegal stay, the Delhi Police revealed on Wednesday.
This was disclosed in a post on the Twitter handle of the DCP, Dwarka Police.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Santosh Kumr Meena, the Nigerian national was picked up by the staff of PS Mohan Garden after she was found living in the country without valid visa and passport.
The tweet read, “#Action Against Illegally Staying Foreigners. One #Nigerian National Woman was #Deported by the staff of PS Mohan Garden who was found living without Having Valid Visa & Passport.”
Many Nigerians have been pushed out of the country by desperation for greener pasture abroad because of the failure of leadership at home and lack of opportunities for teeming youths.
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Why Governor Makinde Is After My Life, Oyo Labour Union Secretary Cries Out
Seyi Makinde
The Secretary of the Oyo state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ibrahim Mohamed on Wednesday petitioned the state Director of Department of State Services and the state Commisioner of Police, stating that the governor of the state, Seyi Makinde is after his life.
Mohamed said the immidiate past chairman of the NLC in the state, Comrade Bayo Titilayo-Sodo, who is now the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Labour Matters had threatened to kill him several times.
Seyi Makinde
He said Titilayo-Sodo told him he was acting on the instruction of Makinde to eliminate him so that his government will have a good relationship with the NLC in the state.
The petition reads, “I bring your fraternal greetings from the bottom of my threatened heart and to inform you that attempted death threat was made to my life by Comrade Bayo Titilayo-Sodo, the immidiate past president of NULGE and the immidiate past chairman of NLC and now the Special Adviser to Governor Makinde on Labour when he met with the acting chairman of NLC and Trade Union Congress where he boasted categorically that he was going to kill me because I have become an obstacle for the government which has continued to indulge in anti-workers’ policies which I resisted and will continue to resist.
“Consequently, Comrade Bayo Titilayo-Sodo informed Comrade Kayode Martins, the acting chairman of NLC on March 29 that Governor Seyi Makinde instructed and directed him that for his administration to have a cordial relationship with the NLC, Comrade Ibrahim Mohammed, the Secretary of the Amalgamated Union of Corporation Civil Service, Technical and Recreational Services Employees and NLC secretary must be removed from office.”
In a swift reaction, the former NLC chairman in the state and Special Adviser to the Governor on Labour Matters, Titilayo-Sodo described the allegations as libelous.
He said the letter gave him psychological trauma.
In a letter written by his lawyer, A. A. Abolaji Esq, Titilayo-Sodo demanded the sum of N50 million as compensation for the allegations levelled against him by labour leader.
DOCUMENTS: Why Governor Makinde is After My Life, Oyo Labour Union Secretary Cries Out by Sahara Reporters on Scribd
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Policewoman Kidnapped By Gunmen Regains Freedom After Two Weeks
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A police constable, Esther Njoku, kidnapped by gunmen a fortnight ago has been released.
The officer was abducted after gunmen attacked the Isiala Mbano divisional police headquarters in Imo State two weeks ago.
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It was gathered that the officer was freed on Tuesday after police authorities raised concerns about her whereabouts.
A police source, who spoke with Punch, said the female cop was dumped in front of the divisional police headquarters where she was kidnapped.
According to the source, the gunmen who carried the cop in a vehicle drove off after dropping her.
The source said. “The constable, Esther Njoku, who was abducted after Isiala Mbano divisional police headquarters was attacked has been freed. She was freed on Tuesday night. It is very likely that those who brought her were her kidnappers.
“She was dropped in front of the station. They instilled fear in the young cop’s mind. They told her to be very careful. We are happy that she came back alive. The Command was very concerned about her safety and we are very pleased that she has been freed.”
The spokesperson for the police in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the release of the cop when contacted.
According to him, the manhunt for those who attacked the police formation and kidnapped the female cop continues.
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Appeal Court Grants Genesis Prophet, Ogundipe Bail After Claims Of Treating Diabetes, Hypertension, Peptic Ulcer
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has granted the post-conviction bail application filed by the Senior Shepherd-in-Charge of the Celestial Church of Christ, Genesis Global, Prophet Israel Ogundipe.
Justice Olabisi Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court had on November 18, 2020 sentenced the popular prophet to one-year imprisonment for converting a woman’s property to his personal use and stealing.
The court found Ogundipe guilty of stealing and unlawful conversion of the property of a London-based architect, Mrs Oladele Williams-Oni.
Ogundipe, who was arraigned on seven counts bordering on obtaining by stealing, inducing delivery of money by false pretences, unlawful conversion of property and forgery, fraudulently collected N14 million and £12,000 in various tranches from the complainant between August 30, 2002, and 2005.
Justice Akinlade, who found Ogundipe guilty on two counts of stealing and unlawful conversion of property not delivered, sentenced him to one-year imprisonment on each count and ordered that he should pay the complainant the sum of N11 million, which he obtained from her illegally.
After the judgement, Ogundipe through his counsel, Babatunde K. Ogala (SAN) approached the appellate court for bail pending appeal and an application to quash the conviction.
Ogala argued that the televangelist was diabetic, and could no longer follow a strict diet.
He also argued that the constant specialised medical attention in custody, which had taken a toll on his health made him “gaunt in appearance.”
He stated, among others, that prior to his incarceration, Ogundipe was suffering from hypertension, peptic ulcer and frequent malaria which had worsened his health challenges since his November 18 conviction.
Delivering the lead ruling Justice Abudullhai Muhammed Bayero held: “There are criteria for granting a convict bail. These include that the applicant must be a first-time offender or having serious health conditions.
“The applicant seeking bail pending appeal before the court is a first-time offender and he has also shown to court that he is having hypertension, peptic ulcer, unending malaria and diabetic, which are serious health conditions.
“He is consequently admitted to bail in the sum of N2 million with two surties in like sum. The surties must have landed property on Lagos Island with original Certificates of Occupancy from the Lagos State Government.
“The sureties are to deposit these documents along with their passport photographs with the Deputy Registrar of the Court of Appeal.”
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How $10million Armoured Helicopters Bought By Rivers State Were Diverted To Fight Boko Haram —Wike
Rivers Governor Wike
Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has accused the Nigerian Air Force of diverting two armoured helicopters worth over $10 million bought by the state government to fight crude oil theft and sea piracy in the state, to fight Boko Haram in the North-East.
Wike warned that the state will not hesitate to withdraw the gunboats it is about to present to the Army, Navy, and police if they are deployed for use in other states.
Rivers Governor Wike
He stated this at the presentation of twenty-nine (29) operational vehicles to the police at the relaunch of the Rivers State security outfit, known as C.4.I, at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The governor explained that his administration has continually demonstrated its resolve to rid the state of criminality through the provision of operational vehicles, gunboats, and other forms of support for the security agencies.
He however expressed dismay that some of the equipment provided by the state government to support security agencies to fight crime are often diverted to other states at the detriment of Rivers State.
“Let the Nigerian Air Force know that Rivers State government gave them two armoured helicopters. The former Chief of Air Staff never wrote to thank us. Which state has done it for Nigerian Air Force in this country? Not one. Even while he was former Chief of Air Staff, he never came here to thank us. But he was using our armoured helicopters.”
He continued: “Rivers State government paid over $10 million (for the armoured helicopters). We said it should be used to fight oil bunkers here, but ask me where are those helicopters today? The (Air Force) headquarters have taken it, saying they are fighting Boko Haram. But we bought it to fight criminals here, to fight oil bunkers here, but they have taken it.”
Governor Wike said with the re-launch of C.4.I, a security outfit, the Rivers State Police Command should become more proactive in fighting crime. He urged the police and other security agencies to take the war against criminality to the criminals.
“We must take the war to them (criminals), let them know that enough is enough. All those people who think they can collect money from contractors, who think that they can kidnap contractors and threaten people, you must go after them. We can’t continue with this kid’s glove. Enough is enough. Don’t allow them to kill your men before you go after them.”
The governor disclosed that in the next few weeks, the state government will donate more operational vehicles and equipment to the C.4.I security outfit to enhance their operations. He said the state will also give five gunboats each to Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and the police to tackle sea piracy.
“But let the gunboats remain within the territory of Rivers State. I am not here to buy gunboats for any other state. I am buying a gunboat for the protection of the people that do business and live in Rivers State and their property. Don’t carry our gunboat and say the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, IG said to bring the gunboat to so, so place. Every state is to protect its territory. The day I hear you take our gunboats to other states, I will collect them back.”
The governor assured the police personnel attached to the C.4.I unit that if they lose their lives in active service, the state government will take care of their families.
“Let me tell you what I will do for people of C.4.I. If any of you in course of this work, in course of fighting crime and criminality dies, Rivers state government will take care of your family.”
He disclosed that the state government will soon deliver the latest state-of-the-art equipment to the Department of State Services (DSS) to enhance their operational capability to track down criminals.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 16, Austin Agbonlahor, said the re-launch of C.4.I marks a new vista in the concerted fight against criminality.
He described security provision as expensive and commended Wike for his continued support for the police.
Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Friday Eboka said the 29 operational vehicles, 200 bulletproof vests, and helmets provided by the governor will serve as a morale booster for the personnel of the C.4.I as they strive to reduce criminal activities to their barest minimum in the state.
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#EndSARS Panel: Family Fight Over Who Should Be Paid Compensation For 19-year-old Son Killed By Police
Late Friday Arunsi
The family of the late Friday Arunsi, a young man killed by a drunk police officer at Ebem community, in the Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State is currently in turmoil.
According to Tribune, the family has been torn apart over who should be paid compensation for the death of their son from the state panel of inquiry on police brutality and extrajudicial killing,(#EndSARS).
Late Friday Arunsi
It was gathered that the late Friday Arunsi was on April 17, 2020, shot dead by a police officer attached to the Ebem police station, Ohafia, who was under the influence of alcohol.
The deceased’s father, Mr Ifeanyi Arunsi and the deceased’s maternal family, Umu Nneibo maternal family, at the resumed hearing on the matter, disagreed before the panel over who would receive the expected compensation for the deceased if granted.
Arunsi claimed that the maternal home’s representative, Mr Kings Hart Ukpai, never contributed anything to the training of the deceased from birth as he only got to know the late Friday in January 2017.
“My son was 19 years old when he was killed by the police. Mr Kings Hart Ukpai contributed nothing even from birth. I have been the one training him from primary school until he took his WAEC (West African Senior School Certificate Examination).
“January 2017 was the first time Mr Kings Hart Ukpai knew my son. My son was buried in Ebem Ohafia, on a piece of land I borrowed N5 million to buy. The Umu Nneibo maternal family did not play any role in his training and burial.
“They were cautioned by the council of chiefs and elders whom I reported the matter to when they pushed me to the wall. At the burial, over N1 million was realised. Mr Kings Hart Ukpai took everything. They didn’t give me anything,” he said.
Chairman of the panel, Justice Sunday Imo, rtd, urged the two parties to stop quarrelling and concentrate on the extrajudicial killing of their son. He further warned that the families cannot be certain that compensation would be recommended for the deceased.
Justice Imo adjourned the trial till April 7, for defence.
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Lawyer Assaults Wife, Knocks Out Her Teeth
A woman, Alice Effiong, has alleged that her husband, Columbus Effiong, physically assaulted her and knocked out her teeth after punching her in the face violently.
The woman said her husband, who is a lawyer, beats her consistently despite having produced three children in the marriage.
A clip obtained by SaharaReporters showed the woman’s mouth filled with blood after allegedly receiving punches from her husband.
In another clip, a conversation between their landlord and Columbus, the lawyer was heard complaining of the frustrations he had experienced at the hand of his wife.
He said his wife pushed him into it, citing several ways she had allegedly not lived up to her responsibilities.
He said: “If it is prison, I am ready, even if it is for 10 years, I’ll be happy, so she will feel the brunt of what I am feeling, the school fees, the feeding, the nonsensical thing she is doing in my house. She has pushed me into this. Why will somebody with children be sleeping around 8:30 am?
“There is no love, it is the children that are making me condone her in this marriage.”
He was heard promising to further assault his wife for trying to take legal steps against him.
Alice, whose front teeth are not missing, said the doctor has informed her of the need to get artificial teeth installed.
She said her husband had been beating her for a long time but she described the latest assault as brutal.
“We have three children: two boys and one girl. He has been beating me for a long time, I reported him to his people thinking it would stop but it didn’t. In 2017, he married a policewoman but he was beating her too and she left him because he had beaten her up to 5 times. I am just coming from the health centre, the doctor said they will put artificial teeth for me.”
Alice is trying to take legal steps but she is confused by the procedure. According to her, she was issued some letters by the Ministry of Justice, instructing her to submit the letter to the social welfare office at Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Secretariat in Lagos.
She said the chief welfare officer asked if her husband had been paying rent and their children school fees, to which she said yes.
“The landlord took me to Akinpelu Police Station but it seems they are not serious, so he referred me to Alausa and there, they gave me a letter that I will submit at the local government secretariat.
“But they told me it is not a welfare issue but rather a purely domestic violence issue and then, I was referred back to Akinpelu Police Station Human Rights Unit.
“When I got to Akinpelu Police Station Human Rights Unit, the woman there said I should wait till this Saturday morning because my husband might have a case to attend to during the week.
Alice said she doesn’t want to separate from her husband but hopes he can be prevailed upon to stop assaulting her.
She said, “I don’t want to separate from him but when the deliberations are concluded on Saturday and he doesn’t change, I might have to leave him. All I want is that they should ensure he doesn’t beat me anymore. It’s the beating I don’t want.”
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