Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 20th April 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 20/04/21
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Open Grazing: Ondo To Auction Off Seized Cows
The Ondo State Government says it will henceforth auction off cows seized for destroying farmlands after getting a court order, while the owners of the seized cows will also be prosecuted.
The State Commander of the State Security Network, Amotekun, Chief Adetunji Adeleye, disclosed this during the signing of an agreement for the release of over 250 cows arrested by Amotekun Corps in Akure, the state capital.
According to the Commander, Amotekun has seized over 250 cows in the state, following distress calls and petitions by farmers in Ipogun, Ilara, Owena Dam areas in the Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.
He said, “I was amazed when I saw the level of destruction and stealing that they did in this current case. When we got to the farm, the herders started by attacking us, but later they ran away but we succeeded in arresting two of them. They are in our custody. We also seized over 250 cows, which we brought to our premises here.
“But to trek for 30 to 40 kilometres every time is not a joke. Not only that we have to trek for this long distance, we have to guide the cows and control traffic on the expressway while leading the cows. So it is not a small job at all.
“While doing all these, we don’t engage in any financial discussion with either the farmers or the herders. We don’t collect a kobo but we suffer a lot in bringing these cows to our premises in enforcing this law.
“When this latest incident happened, we brought them together and said unless they signed an undertaking, that after this operation, Amotekun will no longer allow settlement of farmers henceforth because it appears that it is not working.
“We will henceforth charge them to court and auction the cow. That is the position of the state government and the Amotekun Corps from now. Any herder that destroyed farmland and crops now, we are not going to open the window of opportunity for negotiation for payment of compensation.
“They would be arrested, the herders would be prosecuted, the cows would become the government property and would be auctioned because the window of love we showed them, they are not reciprocating by complying with the agreement reached with the farmers.
“We felt that herders are transacting their business, which they have the right to as Nigerians. Farmers are equally transacting their business; a lot of them invested heavily on these farms. However, herders would come overnight and graze on these farms despite government’s order banning night grazing, underage herders and other illegalities.
“Many of the farmers have died of stroke and hypertension and a lot of them have lost their property because they cannot service the loans they took and invested in the farms. All these affect the socio-economic growth of the South-West, especially Ondo State. We are not going to tolerate this again.
“Collecting money and giving to farmers does not pay. The money paid to farmers as compensation is not up to one per cent of the crops destroyed.”
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E2%80%99s-supporters-harm #PantamiResignNow: Concerned Nigerians Group Alleges Threat By Minister’s Supporters To Harm Adeyanju
A human rights group, Concerned Nigerians for the protection of Human Rights and Rule Law initiative, has alleged that some condemned the declaration by some Muslims that the convener of the group, Deji Adeyanju, is a ‘enemy of Islam’.
The group also condemned the ‘Fatwa’ (authoritative legal opinion given by a mufti or legal scholar) issued against Adeyanju and the circulation of his pictures on social media, with threats to harm him.
A statement by the group’s spokesperson, Theophilus Abu Agada, on Monday, condemned in “strong terms” the threats against Adeyanju over the group’s petition to American Embassy to investigate allegations of terrorism and extremist views against Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Pantami.
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Unmasking A Jihadi Masquerade: The Many Faces Of Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami
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Pantami has been under fire since the visual and audio clips of some of his teachings resurfaced over a decade later, some of which showed he was sympathetic to Islamic extremist sects like Al-Qaeda and Taliban.
According to the statement, the followers and supporters of the minister “have declared our convener, Deji Adeyanju an ‘Enemy of Islam’, an action capable of endangering his life”.
If anything happens to our convener, @adeyanjudeji, the minister of Communications, @DrIsaPantami should be held responsible. For your kind attention: @PoliceNG @StateDept @USinNigeria @UKinNigeria @amnesty @FrontLineHRD pic.twitter.com/QL2M1kUNNY— Concerned Nigerians (@ConcernedNIG) April 19, 2021
“They have taken to Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp and other social media platforms to circulate the picture of our convener with a caption, ‘Enemy of Islam,’” the statement continued.
“We are horrified by their threats to harm our convener for no just cause. This action goes further to show how dangerous Isa Pantami and his followers are. We are not surprised by their actions as they are simply following the footsteps of their leader, Dr. Isa Pantami.
“We condemn, in the strongest terms, this extremist views and actions of his followers and supporters which are against all human and Islamic norms. The Noble Laws of Islam forbids all forms of attacks on the innocent.
“We enjoin all Muslims to be united against all those who terrorise the innocent, and those who permit the killing of non-combatants without a justifiable reason. It is worthy of note that Islam has declared the spilling of blood and the destruction of property as absolute prohibition until the Day of Judgment.
“Moreover, we are calling on Dr. Isa Pantami to call his followers he has indoctrinated with his extreme views to order.”
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FLASHBACK: We Are All Happy When Unbelievers Are Killed—Minister Pantami
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Tanker Fire Kills 12 Persons In Benue
At least 12 dead bodies were recovered on Sunday at the scene of a petroleum tanker explosion at Oshigbudu junction in the Agatu Local Government Area of Benue state.
The State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Yakubu Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement.
OLIKITA EKANI
Mohammed said the tanker loaded with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was heading to Abuja from the Otukpo area of the state when the vehicle’s brakes allegedly failed, skidded off the road and exploded in flames.
“The number of deaths as a result of the explosion is 12 but there could be deaths that could be beyond our purview to know but the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA or National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, may fish them out.
“You know that the houses that got burnt in the incident will not be classified as crash so when these agencies visit the houses, they may discover more corpses from the debris.
“But those involved in the crash were 12. Of the number, eight were males, three were females, and a child.
“In view of this indictment, I want to call on all petroleum tanker owners to ensure the immediate installation of safety valves on their tankers to ensure the safety of lives, properties, and the products their vehicles convey.
“It is disheartening to see some petroleum tankers still plying the roads without safety valves fixed on them despite the February 2021 deadline earlier issued.“Any driver caught contravening the standard will risk going to jail. Tanker drivers should be safety conscious always and should abide by all safety rules and regulations.
“I assured members of the public that FRSC will not rest on its oars at ensuring discipline on the road. And the command would always be ready to respond promptly to any rescue operations just as we are ready to always partner with all stakeholders to ensure a safer road culture in Benue state,” he said.
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How Young Baker Was Strangled To Death In His Bayelsa Residence
A baker, Temple George, has been found dead in his residence in the Opolo area of Yenagao, the Bayelsa state capital.
The deceased was reportedly strangled to death by an unknown assailant and his lifeless body was discovered by his landlord on April 7, 2021.
A statement by the state police command said the Commissioner of Police, Mike Okoli, had ordered a discreet investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of the popular baker.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the body of the deceased was discovered by his oandlord on 17 April, 2021, at his apartment at Opolo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
“The scene was visited by police detectives, and the corpse was taken to the Federal Medical Centre Mortuary for autopsy.”
Meanwhile, the case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for proper investigation.
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E2%80%99ll-stabilise-our-region-nigeria-niger-republic-buhari-vows We’ll Stabilise Our Region For Nigeria, Niger Republic, Buhari Vows
Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari has assured that Nigeria will continue to assist its close neighbours in diverse ways as required.
Mr Femi Adesina, the President’s spokesman, in a statement in Abuja on Monday, said Buhari gave the assurance when he hosted the newly inaugurated President of the Republic of Niger, Mohamed Bazoum, who was in Nigeria on his first international visit.
The Nigerian leader also assured Bazoum that Nigeria would continue to do all it could to stabilise the West African sub-region, saying that Nigerians and Nigeriens shared similar culture and language.
He said: “We will stabilise our region for the benefit of the two countries.
“Nigerians and Nigeriens are people with a similar culture, language and ways of life, and we also share about 1,500 kilometres of land border, so we cannot ignore each other.”
Buhari Holds Closed-Door Meeting With New Niger President, Bazoum | Sahara Reporters Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) April 19, 2021
The president congratulated Bazoum on winning the recent presidential election, and his successful inauguration into office.
“You have been in the system for a long time. The only thing is that you had never been President. Now you are one,” he said.
On terrorism, as perpetrated by Boko Haram, Buhari observed that the Republic of Niger also suffers high casualties, saying: “We will do all it takes to secure our two countries.”
Buhari was thankful to the immediate past President, Mahamadou Issoufou, for what he called “his understanding and sacrifices” to help stabilise the region, urging his successor to maintain the institutions his predecessor had established.
Bazoum had earlier said he was delighted to make Nigeria his first port of call, noting that the two countries had common interests, “and, therefore, a good relationship is very important.
On security, he observed that the fact that some Nigerians flee to Niger during terrorist attacks “shows that we need to cooperate, and we will face our challenges together”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bazoum, who is on a two-day official visit to Nigeria, would be hosted to a private breaking of fast by Buhari.
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How Repentant Kidnappers, Militants Became Pastors
Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere
Eight repentant Niger Delta militants and kidnappers are now pastors in the Omega Power Ministries (OPM).
The General Overseer, Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere told NAN that they turned a new leaf after evangelism organised at the church’s rehabilitation centre.
Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere
He said it was easy for them to go back to their old ways because they had no place to start new lives.
“I decided that the best way to approach them is to change their environment and that became the first step,” he said.
Chinyere recalled they were baptised and taught the word of God on complete liberation from crime.
Noting that some of the ex-criminals were outlaws for many years, the cleric said the police decided not to go after them for surrendering willingly.
The cleric disclosed that one of the repentant men who submitted three AK-47 rifles was taken to the police headquarters in Rivers for biometrics and documentation of the weapons.
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E2%80%99-killing-benue-hands-over-two-paramount-traditional-rulers-others-police Soldiers’ Killing: Benue Hands Over Two Paramount Traditional Rulers, Others To Police For Investigation
Two traditional rulers in Konshisha Local Government Area, the Vice Chairman of the Council and the Councillor representing Mbagusa/Mbatsev Council Ward where 12 soldiers were killed on Easter Day have been handed over to the police for investigation.
In the same vein, the Benue state government, working with stakeholders in the affected area, have also retrieved eight of the 12 rifles taken from the slain soldiers.
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom made this known on Monday after presiding over the State Security Council meeting in Makurdi, the state capital.
The governor commended the stakeholders of the Konshisha who were in attendance for supporting the government to achieve the promise he made to the military high command and the federal government that everything would be done to recover the confiscated weapons.
He said, “In line with the promise I made to the military and the Defence Minister we have so far recovered eight of the 12 rifles, including a machine gun that was removed from a van. This has brought the recovered weapons to nine since the military had earlier recovered one.
“The process of recovering the remaining three is in progress and we will ensure that all the weapons are recovered and returned to the army.”
The governor stated that those handed over to the police for further investigation were the District Head of Iuuar Nyam, Chief Unaha Koko; acting kindred head of Mbator, Chief Emmanuel Achirgbenda; Vice Chairman of Konshisha LGA, Mr Sam Kave and the councillor representing Mbagusa/Mbatsev Council Ward, Mr Mela Yange.
“We believe that these four people will assist the police in the investigation of the matter,” Ortom said.
According to the governor, the Security Council also instructed him to lead a delegation to President Muhammadu Buhari to condole with him over the death of the soldiers and also apologise for the sad experience.
Meanwhile the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has carried out an assessment of the destruction and damages caused by the crisis in the community.
The Executive Secretary, Benue State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Emmanuel Shior who visited the affected areas on Sunday revealed that Governor Ortom directed him to visit the areas and evaluate the victims for immediate intervention by providing relief to cushion their predicament.
While interacting with the traditional rulers, community leaders and the victims, Shior, who condemned the attacks on the community by the military and as well as the attack on the military by the militia said the governor was doing everything possible to bring peace between the feuding communities of Konshisha and Oju.
Addressing some of the victims at the Gungul Market Square, Shior urged the Federal Government, relevant agencies and Non-Governmental Organisations to swiftly come to the aid of the victims of the crisis.
Youths and traditional rulers in the community while welcoming the team expressed sadness over the incident in the area and applauded Governor Ortom for his peace efforts. The areas affected and assessed by the SEMA team were Gungul, Agidi, Aku, Adoka, Bonta, Gbinde, Tse-Anyon and Guleya communities.
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45 Suspects Arrested Over Ekiti Killings, Deadly Cult Clash
More suspects in connection with the Sunday’s cult clash in Ikere Ekiti, Ikere Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have been arrested on Monday by Nigeria Police.
The clash which the police said was caused by “rivalry and show of strength” between two cult groups left six persons dead and several others with various injuries from gunshots and machete cuts.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Sunday Abutu, who confirmed the arrest of 35 more suspects, the latest arrests brought the total number of arrests to 45.
“The combined team of security personnel who were drafted to the scene when the news of the incident got to the command has restored peace to the town, while street patrol continues,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police had on Sunday said they arrested 10 suspects in connection with the brutal killings, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
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Six Die In Ekiti Cult Clash
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E2%80%94-coalition-south-middle-belt-regions We Have Abandoned Fulani Caliphate, Now On Our Own— Coalition Of South, Middle-Belt Regions
Professor Banji Akintoye
Following the Constitutional Force Majeure given to the Nigerian Government, the Nigerian Indigenous Nationalities Alliance for Self Determination, NINAS, says its members (South and Middle-Belt regions), have moved on with their sovereignties.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the world leader, Professor Banji Akintoye, during the NINAS World Press Conference on Saturday.
Professor Banji Akintoye
According to him, this decision follows the expiration of the 30 days of consultations with elected officials from the Alliance Territories after an initial 90-day period of notice given to the Federal Government on December 16, 2020.
The statement explained that, at the expiration of the said 90-day period of notice, no formal contact or statement was made by the Federal Government of Nigeria in response to the December 16, 2020, proclamation.
It also stated that the governors of the states in the Alliance Territories were advised to liaise with one another and send bills to their various state Houses of Assembly and work with the assemblies to pass laws by which they assume responsibility, power and control over most of the subject matters contained in the 68 items federal exclusive legislative list of the 1999 Constitution.
He said this was, however, not complied with.
Consequent to this, the group said it had overpowered and delegitimised the “monstrous” 1999 Constitution and have fully activated their inalienable right to self-determination.
It read, “NINAS has now abandoned the carcass of the defunct Federation of Nigeria to the Fulani Caliphate, and moved on with their sovereignties (hitherto forcefully hijacked and confiscated by the illicit Federal Government of Nigeria that emerged from the Catastrophic Bloody Fiascos of 1966 — 1970), towards fresh constitutional protocols as willing, compatible contiguities in unfettered self-determination.”
The group also said December 16, 2020, Joint Multi-Regional Constitutional Force Majeure has “defeated the fraudulent 1999 constitution and therefore unhinged the legal basis of unitary Nigeria.
“It is in this regard that NINAS is now informing the political merchants of the South and Middle-Belt across all the political parties in Nigeria, that any decision by them or their political parties to go another round of national elections in 2023 will be interpreted as a clear-minded choice to help the enemy preserve the 1999 Constitution and this will mean sabotaging the self-redemption initiative of their people.
“NINAS strongly advises the political parties and political merchants in the alliance territories not to put themselves on a head-on collision with the peoples of the territories in their quest for self-preservation via self-determination.
“Going forward, since the two tiers of government in Nigeria have abandoned the populace to their fate, NINAS’ action train now moves to the people.
“The NINAS train of consultations and engagements will today, April 17, 2021, move on to the peoples of Nigeria, especially in the alliance territories, who collectively own the sovereignties forcefully consolidated and hijacked by the Nigerian state via the Instrumentality of the imposed and fraudulent constitutional arrangements of 1999.
“Accordingly, NINAS hereby declares 120 days of consultations commencing today, April 17, 2021, with the peoples of the alliance territories with dedicated sessions for various segments of the Nigerian society, the diplomatic community and the international community. In this period, all segments of the Nigerian society in the alliance territories {should} be consulted and engaged with the NINAS propositions as outlined in the December 16, 2020, constitutional force majeure proclamation.”
NINAS further encouraged its members in the diaspora to organise town hall meetings in their countries of residence to discuss and disseminate constitutional force majeure related information as it is being done in Nigeria.
However, the group stated that if the demands of the constitutional force majeure remain unaddressed by the Federal Government by mid-August 2021, “NINAS will proceed with the ‘Activation of Reconsideration of Allegiance to the Repudiated 1999 Constitution’ and commence processes of the orderly interment of that constitution within the context of the self-determination imperative for the constituent nationalities components of Nigeria.
“Let it be noted that in response to Interventions by people of goodwill from within and outside Nigeria, including foreigners who are sympathetic to Nigerians for their horrifying plight, NINAS will in the interest of our peoples, be willing to reopen the window of dialogue and engagement with the two tiers of government in Nigeria if they turn up in course of the 120 days of consultations with the peoples of Nigeria and the international community.”
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E2%80%93-army How Boko Haram Attacked Dikwa With 12 Gun Trucks During Ramadan Break – Army
Boko Haram
The Nigerian Army has recounted how the Boko Haram fighters attacked Dikwa town in the Dikwa Local Government Area of Borno State, noting that the terrorists invaded the area in 12 gun trucks.
The Nigerian Army in a release on Monday obtained by SaharaReporters noted that the insurgents attempted to take control of the town during the evening Ramadan fast break, but they were repelled by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole.
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SaharaReporters had earlier today reported that hours after the Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Magashi (retd.) led the Chief of Defence Chief, Gen Leo Irabor and other service chiefs came on an assessment visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, the Boko Haram insurgents invaded Dikwa town with several gun trucks.
SaharaReporters had learnt that the Boko Haram and Islamic State West African Province fighters attacked Dikwa town, only about 85 kilometres to Maiduguri, on Sunday evening, engaging the troops in a gun battle which lasted hours.
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Boko Haram Fighters Invade Dikwa During Defence Minister, Service Chiefs’ Visit To Borno
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It was gathered that there were explosions in parts of the town, even as the ISWAP fighters took control of the major access roads into the area.
In a release by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, the army stated that the terrorists attempted to take over the town but they were repelled by troops who are still patrolling the town.
The army was, however, silent on the casualties suffered by its troops or civilians.
The army spokesman said, “Troops of Operation Lafiya Dole currently carrying out Operation Tura Takaibango stationed at Dikwa and Gulumba Gana supported by the Air Component inflicted heavy casualty on Boko Haram Terrorists who attempted to take control of the strategic town of Dikwa, the headquarters of Dikwa LGA of Borno State.
“The terrorists in their numbers mounted on 12 gun trucks attacked the town on the eve of Sunday just as the locals prepared to break their Ramadan fast for the day. The troops, having contained the initial wave of the attack, had to occupy their alternative headquarters at Gulumba Gana to enable the Air Component engage any gun trucks and other technicals in the vicinity of the attack to prevent fratricide.
“The troops launched a counter-attack in the early hours of Monday 19 April 2021 and successfully reoccupied their main headquarters in Dikwa.
“The retreating terrorists suffered heavy losses in both equipment and personnel, including some of their key leaders from the superior fire power of troops both from the air and ground forces. The troops are currently patrolling Dikwa town and environs to assess the level of damage inflicted on the terrorists.
“The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru has commended the troops for their doggedness and directed them to restrategise in order to prevent any further attacks in the area. The Nigerian Army remains committed towards ensuring a safe and secure environment throughout the North-East theatre.”
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