Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Sunday 27th June 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 27/06/21
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Military Denies Attack On Air Force Base In Kaduna
File Photo: Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied earlier reports that gunmen suspected to be Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group, tried to take over the Air Force base in Kaduna on Saturday morning.
According to NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Gabkwet Edward, in a statement sent to SaharaReporters, there was no record of an attack on the military facility or its neighbourhood.
File Photo: Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna
“Members of the public should please disregard the news as it is entirely false. There was nothing of such as the inhabitants of the entire base going about their normal activities and duties without any threat whatsoever,” Edward said.
The Foundation for Investigative Journalism had quoted an Air Force Official as saying the insurgents tried to take over the base.
Boko Haram Attempts To Take Over @NigAirForce Base in Kaduna | Sahara Reporters pic.twitter.com/8siULWYmT4— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) June 26, 2021
According to the newspaper, the source said that as of 6 am on Saturday, a gunfight between the terrorists and military personnel that lasted for close to two hours was ongoing.
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Why Torture Remains Prevalent In Nigeria – RULAAC
File photo used to illustrate story.
The Rule of Law And Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) says Nigeria has failed to fulfil its voluntarily undertaken obligations under regional and international human rights and humanitarian laws prohibiting torture.
The group also called to enforce the Anti-Torture Law of Nigeria (2017), a law that prohibits torture, cruel treatment of individuals.
File photo used to illustrate story.
Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC, in a statement commemorating the 2021 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, said the culture of violence inherited from the colonial police remains within the Nigeria police.
Nwanguma added that President Muhammadu Buhari’s shoot-at-sight order and the Inspector General of Police’s order to officers to act without regards to the rules of engagement and without sensitivity to the respect and protection of human rights all help to promote the culture of violence, including torture.
Read the full statement below:
“The Nigerian Constitution prohibits torture. The African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act prohibits and criminalises torture.
“The Anti-Torture Act was passed and signed into law in 2017. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which repealed and replaced the colonial Criminal Act and Criminal Code, was passed in 2015 after Lagos State had passed the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in 2007 and revised it in 2011. Many other states have followed suit by adapting and passing versions of the ACJL in their various states.
“The violence against persons (Prohibition) Act was passed in 2015. The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was passed in 1981; Nigeria ratified it without reservation in 1985, signed the Optional Protocol in 2000 and ratified it in 2004. Nigeria has also domesticated the Child Rights Act
“The new Police Act passed and signed into law in 2020 also criminalises and expressly prohibits the use of torture by the police. The framework of legal standards on policing in Nigeria also includes international laws and treaties and laws accepted by or applicable to Nigeria as a member of the international community.
“Despite these enactments, commitments, reforms and ‘revolutionary changes’ in criminal justice laws and legislation, the practice of torture remains widespread in law enforcement practices in Nigeria just as lawlessness and violence remain the defining features of national life in Nigeria.
“The culture of violence inherited from the colonial police remains within the Nigeria police. Many police officers still believe that torture is a legitimate means of interrogation. Police training has not succeeded in changing this colonial culture and orientation of violence and subjugation. Many citizens also leave with the wrong notion that torture is a standard and legitimate way to extract the truth. But torture is a crime in Nigeria, as seen from the array of local laws and international legislation and standards that Nigeria subscribes to. It is also a transnational crime classified among crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute.
“It is our view that the government has not demonstrated genuine commitment to end torture and the culture of violence in Nigeria. President Buhari’s shoot-at-sight orders and the Inspector General of Police’s orders to police officers to act without regard to the rules of engagement and without sensitivity to the respect and protection of human rights all help promote the culture of violence, including torture.
“Several laws that aim to promote professionalism and respect for human rights in law enforcement practices are not strictly implemented and enforced by the leadership at both law enforcement and political levels.
“All staff of the Nigeria Police ought to be conversant with and have access to these applicable laws and standards. However, in its 2006 report, the Presidential Committee on Police Reform acknowledged that ‘these important regulatory books that all officers must acquaint themselves with are either in short supply or no longer in circulation.
“The result is that many young police officers are not familiar with them, to the detriment of their professional competence.
“The situation has not changed. Awareness remains very low among law enforcement officials of the laws that should guide law enforcement practices. The laws are also not available for use by law enforcement officials. Research conducted by RULAAC on the awareness and implementation of the ACJA among police officers in Lagos and Anambra states shows that awareness is very low. The laws are also not available.”
“Lack of accountability and redress for the crime of torture. Officers who commit torture are not punished according to the law. Victims are never given justice.
“Lack of adequate funding, equipment and operational facilities hamper the ability to effectively implement the laws and discharge the obligations contained in the laws. Without sufficient funds and facilities, it isn’t easy to ensure effective compliance with aspects of the laws. For example, some provisions of the ACJA/ACJL, such as the requirement that interrogation of criminal suspects shall, among others, be video-recorded, cannot be complied with partly due to lack of facilities and funds to procure the facilities necessary to give effect to this provision.
“The British Council had in the past provided sample Statement Taking Rooms in selected police stations in Lagos and Anambra States and equipped them with cameras and other equipment. This was to promote effective implementation of the ACJA concerning video recording of interrogations and help reduce the torture of criminal suspects during interrogations. But the facilities were never put to use in any of the pilot police stations and were vandalised in some of the stations.
“Without the infrastructure and skills to support the criminal investigation, the NPF is institutionally unable to respect the presumption of innocence nor maintain credible crime records. Instead, “they now resort to parading suspects in handcuffs and others killed by them extra-judicially, such as armed robbers to impress the general public that they are working, when, at this stage, the innocence of the suspects should be presumed and their human rights protected by the Police.
“The effect of this is a tradition of compromised investigations and unsuccessful prosecutions, which the Nigerian Supreme Court has noted, results “in the acquittal of criminals who should have been convicted.”
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Thugs Allegedly Loyal To Lagos Council Boss Brutalise Council Worker For Blocking Diversion Of Funds
Ahmed Apatira
Hoodlums, who allegedly support the Chairman of Itire/Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Ahmed Apatira, have attacked a member of staff of the council.
According to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union Of Local Government Employee (NULGE) in the council, Summy, the staff member, who is the second signatory of the LCDA’s bank account, was attacked on Thursday.
Ahmed Apatira
He said, “In what appears as a show of shame, it is saddening to comment on the lawlessness going on in Itire/Ikate Local Council Development Area (LCDA) under the clueless leadership of Ahmed Apatira.
“On Thursday, 24th June 2021, thugs loyal to Apatira with instructions from Pius Soyoye, a friend of the chairman, physically assaulted the second signatory to the council’s account.
“Do you know the offence? He was carrying out his legitimate duty of ensuring that public funds are not being diverted. It will be noted that the Local Government Service Commission queried Itire Ikate LCDA recently as the worst in Lagos State in terms of revenue generation.
“This action should be condemned. All actors in the shameful acts should be reprimanded, including Ahmed Apatira, for his utterances which are fuelling the crisis and act as a guide to his aides.
“On Friday 25th June 2021, the LCDA staff embarked on strike, the council was locked up, and even Apatira was not allowed into the council.
“It’s so sad that this is happening less than a month before the council election. This same man sponsored thugs and cultists to disrupt the just concluded primary election. They were shooting guns on election day in Itire Ikate.”
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Boko Haram, ISWAP Reunite To Work Together In New Video, Appoint Al-khuraishi As ‘Leader of all Muslims’
The leadership of the Islamic State of West Africa Province, ISWAP, have mended fences with the Jama’atu Ahlussunnah Lidda’awati Wal Jihad (JAS) faction of Boko Haram.
This is coming weeks after the death of Abubakar Shekau, former leader of the JAS faction.
PRNigeria
The Boko Haram leader was said to have killed himself with a bomb “when he observed that the ISWAP fighters wanted to capture him alive”.
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Boko Haram
Abubakar Shekau’s Boko Haram Faction Confirms Death Of Leader, Issues Fresh Threats
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In a 13-minutes long video obtained by PRNigeria, an army of terrorists belonging to the rival extremist groups reunited themselves after individually placing their hands atop one another while chanting words of solidarity to demonstrate their reuniting and togetherness.
They then pledged their allegiance to one Aba Ibrahim Al-Hashimiyil AlKhuraishi, whom they unanimously ordained as ‘Khalifa Muslimai’, translated as “The Leader of all Muslims”.
In the clip, four insurgents, drawn from the defunct Boko Haram and ISWAP sects, were seen pledging their loyalty to their new commander while speaking in Arabic, Hausa, English and Fulfulde.
One of the speakers confirmed the report that intelligence services played critical roles in creating divisions in the camps of the terrorists when he claimed that “the enemies succeeded in dividing us, but we are now back.”
In the latest video released by Boko Haram, the terrorist element that first spoke extended his greeting to their new Leader, Khuraishi, thanking him for eventually bringing them together.
Pledging his loyalty, he said every Boko Haram member and ISWAP should be happy that they are now united.
Another terrorist, while speaking in Hausa, ‘warmly’ greeted Al-Hashimiyil Khuraishi, assuring that he and his colleague-insurgents would not disregard his orders and commandments.
He expressed delight that they are now back as one indivisible entity after the mutual hatred that hitherto divided them gave way.
Another ISWAP fighter, who was wielding a sophisticated gun hung on his neck, thundered:” What is left now is Jihad. We will not stop fighting the unbelievers. All the disbelievers have entered trouble.”
According to the daredevil terrorist, every Boko Haram and ISWAP member must be ready to fight under their new leader’s directive for them to survive and succeed.
ISWAP had in 2016 broke away from Shekau’s Boko Haram faction, alleging it disagreed with the late extremist leader over his excessive use of force, especially on Muslims in areas under his influence.
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Unknown Gunmen Abduct Another Traditional Ruler In His Farm In Ekiti
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted the Eleda of Eda-Ile in Ekiti East Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Oba Benjamin Omotayo.
It was gathered that the monarch was kidnapped on Friday evening while working on his farm in the community.
He was said to have been seized in the presence of his wife.
This happened barely two months after the Obaadu of Ilemeso-Ekiti, in Oye local government area, Oba David Oyewumi, was abducted by unknown gunmen and also the Elewu of Ewu-Ekiti, Oba Adetutu Ajayi, was shot.
The Commander of the Ekiti State Security Network called Amotekun, Brigadier General Joe Komolafe(retd.), confirmed the abduction, adding that all the security outfits in Ekiti, including police, soldiers, Amotekun corps, local hunters and Vigilance groups, are already in the forests searching for the monarch.
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EXCLUSIVE: Senate President, Lawan Gifts Newly Wedded Wife N100m As National Assembly Building Deteriorates
Despite claiming Nigeria is broke and should keep borrowing to fund critical infrastructures, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan has splashed over N100m on his new wife, Zainab Algoni Abdulwahid.
SaharaReporters had reported how Lawan secretly married Zainab at a very private ceremony in Borno State on Friday.
The low-key marriage was solemnised at the Sheikh Sharif Ibrahim Saleh’s mosque in Maiduguri.
SaharaReporters gathered that the event was performed secretly to avoid public criticism while Zainab is expected to relocate to Abuja on Sunday.
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EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria’s Senate President, Ahmed Lawan Marries Young Shuwa-Arab Girl In Secret Wedding
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A mini party was also held at the bride’s family residence in Gwange 1 Ward, Malut Shuwa Street, Maiduguri.
A source close to Zainab told SaharaReporters on Saturday that the Senate President gifted her N100 million a few days after they were introduced to each other.
The bride was said to have bought three houses in Maiduguri out of the money.
EXCLUSIVE: Nigeria’s Senate President, @DrAhmadLawan Marries Young Shuwa-Arab Girl In Secret Wedding | Sahara Reporters pic.twitter.com/RE1BohBpMu— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) June 26, 2021
“Lawan personally gave her N100 million days after he saw her pictures. The money was so huge that Zainab bought three houses here in Maiduguri,” the source said.
SaharaReporters had reported how leaks from the roof of the National Assembly building disrupted the plenary session on Tuesday.
The incident, which followed a downpour, occurred at the ‘White House’, the portion of the Assembly housing both upper and lower legislative chambers.
Many lawmakers were stranded for some minutes before the rain subsided. The lobby of the Assembly became impassable while cleaners were immediately mobilised to clear the pool.
Tuesday’s incident comes despite numerous budgetary allocations, amounting to billions of naira, to renovate the National Assembly complex.
One such was the approval of N37 billion by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, which sparked outrage among Nigerians.
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Kano Hisbah Vows To Rearrest Young Man Who Stopped Praying After Officials Forcefully Shaved His Hair For Being ‘UnIslamic’
File photo used to illustrate story.
The Kano State Hisbah Board says it is looking for a young man who stopped praying and going to the mosque after operatives of the Islamic police shaved his hair.
Hisbah Commander-in-Chief, Ustaz Harun Muhammad Sani Ibn Sina, disclosed this in an audio message.
File photo used to illustrate story.
Ibn Sina said the commission was looking for the Kano resident for violating Islamic law.
The young guy had in a trending video claimed he stopped praying after Hisbah operatives shaved off his long hair for being ‘unIslamic’.
Despite condemnation from Nigerians, the Hisbah group has continued its push for the Islamic agenda in the North.
The agency, established to enforce Sharia law in some states in the region, recently banned stylish haircuts, sagging of trousers, playing of music at social events by disk jockeys and tricycle riders from adorning their vehicles with pictures considered to be obscene and against the tenents of Islam.
A barber and his customers were also arrested recently for giving and having haircuts which were offensive to Islam.
They are also notorious for destroying truckloads of alcoholic drinks.
Also, in March, Hisbah operatives arrested two men suspected of sending pornographic materials to a married woman.
The suspects were traced and arrested after the woman complained to the board.
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E2%80%99s-eastern-security-network-camps-imo-arrest-members Police Allegedly Storm IPOB’s Eastern Security Network Camps In Imo, Arrest Members
File photo used to illustrate story.
The Nigerian police, on Saturday, busted three training camps of Eastern Security Network established by the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Imo State.
According to the Special Adviser on Media to the Imo State Police Commissioner, Mike Abatam, in a statement, the three camps were located at Atta in Ikeduru, Izombie in Oguta and Ideato North Local Government Areas of the state.
File photo used to illustrate story.
He said some arrested IPOB members gave useful information about their camps and activities and led the police’s tactical units to the areas.
According to him, on sighting the tactical teams approaching their camp, the hoodlums opened fire at them, adding that there was a heavy exchange of gunfire.
The statement read, “Due to the superior firing power of the police, the hoodlums were overrun by the tactical units while some of the hoodlums escaped with bullet wounds into the forest.
“Several weapons, stolen cars, explosives, gunpowder, charms, lPOB/ESN flags, ammunition, bags of Indian Hemp, tramadol tablets and many other hard drugs were recovered.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro, commended the efforts of the men and urged them to sustain the tempo.
“Yaro thanked Imolites for their support and assured them of the command’s commitment in ensuring a crime-free Imo State.”
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Bandits Abduct Local Government Vice Chairman In Kaduna, Demand N100m
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted the Vice Chairman of Jaba Local Government Area of Kaduna state, James Bijimi.
Bijimi was whisked away on the Kaduna-Kachia road on Friday with an unspecified number of travellers.
The incident comes a few days after bandits killed a driver and kidnapped 33 other people in the Kachia metropolis.
The Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, Mohammed Jalige, confirmed the incidence but couldn’t confirm the actual number of persons taken away.
He said security operatives recovered three vehicles belonging to the abductees while one person was injured.
Meanwhile, a local government official said that the bandits had established contact with Bijimi’s family and are demanding a ransom of N100 million before his release.
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Scammed Investors Want Davido, Rema, Other Celebrities Arrested For Endorsing Fraudulent Ponzi Scheme, RackSterli
Nigerians have called on security operatives to arrest some celebrities, including David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, Divine Ikubor, known professionally as Rema, and Williams Uchemba for endorsing and advertising a Ponzi scheme company, RackSterli, which has allegedly defrauded many people.
The celebrities had been seen in viral videos promoting the platform, prompting people to invest in it.
“I wanna introduce you guys to one of the biggest investment platforms in Nigeria. There are a lot of opportunities over there… It has been very, very reliable for the past six months. We’ve had great recommendations,” Davido said in one of the videos seen by SaharaReporters.
The Ponzi-like initiative, owned by one Chidi, popularly known as Blackgold, offers its subscribers different packages, including Standard, Diamond, Premium, Ruby, Platinum, Emerald, Gold up to Topaz. They are 11 in separate packages.
A check by SaharaReporters on www.racksterli.org on Saturday showed the RackSterli’s website has crashed, leaving investors due for payment stranded.
Some subscribers who invested in the scheme without getting returns since last year are lambasting the celebrities for promoting it.
“All the celebrities that endorsed the scheme should be arrested too. Davido, Williams Uchemba supported the brand and they got us into this. Now the so-called Racksteri investment ran away with our money after buying himself a Brand New G. Wagon days after his accident,” Akintunde Mayowa Johnson told SaharaReporters.
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