Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Monday 18th April 2022
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 18/04/22
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Nigerian Man Arrested In India With Cocaine, Mephedrone Worth N16.4 Million
The police in Mumbai, India have arrested a Nigerian man identified as Oliver Diba Nikki with hard drugs worth Rs 30.20 lakh (N16.4 million).Nikki, according to a report by the Times of India, was arrested in Andheri West in Mumbai with 200 grammes of mephedrone and 34 grammes of cocaine.
The 42-year-old Nigerian, police sources said was arrested on Friday evening from a bus stop near Azad Nagar metro station by the Marol unit of the Anti-Narcotics Cell.”He has told us he was released in December 2021 in an NDPS Act case and had gone back to drug peddling. We seized 200 grammes of mephedrone and 34 grammes of cocaine cumulatively valued at Rs 30.20 lakh from him,” the policeman added.
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Students Of Nigerian Government-owned Polytechnic In Ogun Cry For Help Over Incessant Attacks, Shootings By Armed Robbers
Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro have cried out to security agencies to save them from the constant attacks, torture and harassment by armed robbers. A student leader told SaharaReporters that the students are unable to sleep as armed robbers launch attacks on the hostels and lodges every night.
Some of the students said the armed robbers are so vicious that they not only break doors but also remove window burglaries. After stealing their property, they also shoot at students and cut them with machetes. SaharaReporters obtained photos and videos of a student who sustained an injury in the right eye after the armed robbers shot at him. A student of the school told SaharaReporters, “We are not safe in this place. The armed robbers remove burglary, they will steal our valuables and they will still insist on killing someone. Everyone is afraid.”Meanwhile, the students’ leaders have already invited the police in the area to intervene in the security challenge but this has yet to stop the operations of the armed robbers. “We had planned a protest for April 14 but the police came around and the rector also asked that we hold on but the armed robbers attacked at midnight, students are seriously agitating,” the student added.
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Students Of Nigerian Government-owned Polytechnic In Ogun Cry For Help Over Incessant Attacks, Shootings By Armed Robbers
Students of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro have cried out to security agencies to save them from the constant attacks, torture and harassment by armed robbers. A student leader told SaharaReporters that the students are unable to sleep as armed robbers launch attacks on the hostels and lodges every night.
Some of the students said the armed robbers are so vicious that they not only break doors but also remove window burglaries. After stealing their property, they also shoot at students and cut them with machetes. SaharaReporters obtained photos and videos of a student who sustained an injury in the right eye after the armed robbers shot at him. A student of the school told SaharaReporters, “We are not safe in this place. The armed robbers remove burglary, they will steal our valuables and they will still insist on killing someone. Everyone is afraid.”Meanwhile, the students’ leaders have already invited the police in the area to intervene in the security challenge but this has yet to stop the operations of the armed robbers. “We had planned a protest for April 14 but the police came around and the rector also asked that we hold on but the armed robbers attacked at midnight, students are seriously agitating,” the student added.
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I’ll Not Withdraw My Comments Against Buhari Government, Sacked Abuja Imam Gives Conditions For Reconciliation
The former Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid on Sunday said he had given conditions for reconciliation over the issue that led to his sacking at the mosque. Khalid said he would not withdraw any of his comments on the matter.
The cleric said he gave the conditions following the move by some prominent Nigerians who have intervened in the matter.He disclosed this during a visit by human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore to his residence in Abuja.Khalid said, “There are some people who are trying to beg me for reconciliation with the other party. They are begging me to stop any media discussion about that issue that they would resolve the problem and I gave them my word that I would stop any media interview on that issue until after Salah.”Why I did that is because when you are moving with people, you have to be a democrat. Allow them to say their own minds and ideas.”I know I have conditions for the reconciliation, one of the conditions is that I will not withdraw any word that I have said. The second condition is that no one would caution me on any issue I speak out for the people. If it is against the will of the government, they have security operatives. They know how to operate, let them come and arrest me.”But you in the mosque as committee members or chairman you have no right to caution me. If it is against the tenet of Islam as it were, then summon the FCT committee of Imam to call me and ask me. Those are the conditions.”
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Sowore Visits Sacked Abuja Imam, Urges More Nigerians To Speak Against Buhari Regime’s Incompetence
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore on Sunday met with the former Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Muhammad Khalid in his residence in Abuja, commending him for identifying with poor Nigerians by speaking out for them.He also called on other Nigerians and religious leaders to speak against bad governance, injustice and insecurity ravaging the country.
Khalid was sacked by the mosque’s steering committee over a sermon that criticised the government’s failure to stop insecurity in the country.The Imam said he paid the “price for the voiceless” and would continue to identify with the massesSowore commended the cleric for his courage and resilience in speaking the truth to power despite the intimidation and threats by Buhari’s regime. He encouraged him not to give up or bow to pressure from the ‘clueless’ government in an attempt to silence him.Sowore said, “We came here to thank you for the work you are doing. I had been hearing about you even before I was detained in 2019 because I have a friend who told me about one Imam and that If I listen to him I will like him. But before I could meet you I was arrested and detained.”If they are not doing what they are doing to you, we would not have heard your message loud and clear. Because before then everybody said no Muslim was campaigning against Buhari.”But you have been speaking the truth. Had they not gone to the mosque to eject you, we would not have heard the message. So many people are now listening to your messages as far back as five years ago.”People thought you just started criticising Buhari till a few weeks ago. Whereas, there was an avalanche of warnings and prophetic teachings that you have been given about their incompetence loud and clear.”So there is a purpose, there is a reason why they are stupid so that we can know people like you.”Sowore said it would be difficult to push out corrupt politicians who have destroyed the country until more people continue to speak the truth to power.Sowore said his meeting with the Islamic scholar was not political but borne out of the love and interest he has for his teaching and his tenacity in the fight against oppression and injustice.”The fantastic job you are doing in creating social consciousness, especially the way you sustain it at the time everybody is afraid to speak out against this unjust and incompetent system.”Day in day out raising your voice telling people not to be afraid is very powerful and I am saying this not because I am in front of you.”I receive your message and I have assigned somebody that anytime you have something new, send it and I review it. If it is in the middle of the night, I will review it and I will take the points that are important.”I told him I would like to meet you one day and there is nothing political even though our lives are completely political,” Sowore said.In his response, the cleric thanked the activist for the solidarity visit, saying that he is a man of the people and loves the country more than anybody or ideology.He vowed not to give up on speaking for the common man against bad governance and injustice, adding that nobody can dictate to him what to preach or what not to preach.He said that is the assignment God has given him to do and that he would not give up on it.The cleric said he had decided not to talk to the press on the matter any longer following a move by some people seeking reconciliation on the matter, who had pleaded that he should stop speaking to the media about the issue.He said he had given them his words and conditions that he would stop until after Salah. He said his conditions for reconciliation include that he would not withdraw what he has said about the worrisome security situation in the country.He added that he was ready to honour any invitation from security agents should they find his teaching and sermon offensive or inciting.
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E2%80%99s-disciple-simon-ekpa-allegedly-sponsoring-terrorism Igbo Group In Germany Sues Nnamdi Kanu’s Disciple, Simon Ekpa For Allegedly Sponsoring Terrorism In South-East
Simon Ekpa
Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based self-acclaimed disciple of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, has been accused of sponsoring terrorism in South-East Nigeria.A group of Igbos in Germany identified as Overseas Igbo Federation, instituted a lawsuit against Ekpa for sponsoring terrorism activities in Anambra and Imo States.
Simon Ekpa
The group addressed the lawsuit to the National Prosecution Authority, Office of the Prosecutor General of Finland, a country where Ekpa is resident.Meanwhile, details of the suit were not disclosed as only the front page of the document was shared. Reacting via his Twitter handle, Ekpa advised his followers to disregard the group. He wrote in separate tweets: “Disregard faceless and criminal igbo group that have no address in Germany and could not afford to hire lawyer in Finland posting their propaganda on social media. Hire a lawyer in Finland and sue Simon Ekpa for agitating for Biafra freedom and stop coming to social media court. faceless poor igbo group looking for Fulani money could not file any documents to the ICC against Nig for genocidal crime against Ndigbo being committed by Nig state everyday, they could not inform Germany of the ethnic cleansing of Ndigbo, disregard the poor group. I am here.” weeks ago, the Indigenous People of Biafra reiterated that Ekpa was not a member of the group.The group further urged Ekpa to stop using the group and Eastern Security Network to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
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E2%80%94-sacked-abuja-imam Buhari Government Can Negotiate With Terrorists But Scared To Hear Citizens Talk — Sacked Abuja Imam, Khalid
Sheikh Nuru Khalid
The erstwhile Chief Imam of Apo Legislative Quarters Mosque, Sheikh Nuru Khalid has knocked President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. The digital Imam, during a meeting with human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on Sunday, said the same government which negotiates with bandits and terrorists, is now scared of hearing citizens speak, particularly those who demand their rights.
Sheikh Nuru Khalid
He said Nigerians should be given the freedom to speak without fear of harassment and intimidation, otherwise innocent citizens will become slaves. He stated, “I have conditions for reconciliation, one of them is I won’t withdraw any word that I’ve spoken and the second condition is that no one will caution me on any issue. “If it is against the will of the government, they have security operations, let them arrest me. If it is against the tenets of Islam, summon the FCT Committee of Imam to call me and ask. I am feeling as if I gained my freedom, I can speak out freely, I don’t mind anybody who feels good or bad. “My mission is not to convert people to Islam but create awareness in the minds of Nigerians that we are not slaves; our mothers gave birth to us as free people, we are free people, that freedom is very vital. “If we can maintain that freedom, we can speak out against bad governance but if we are afraid of them, we are now slaves. Somebody will just take one person and negotiate price. “That’s what is happening in Nigeria today, they’re kidnapping citizens, selling them out. Look at someone that can bear to negotiate with criminals, now he’s afraid to listen to citizens. There’s a problem.”Khalid was suspended as Chief Imam of Apo Mosque by its steering committee after his sermon against President Muhammadu Buhari’s government and its handling of insecurity in the country.The cleric had knocked Buhari for not visiting Kaduna after an Abuja-Kaduna train was attacked by terrorists recently.Eight passengers were confirmed killed during the attack while many were kidnapped by the terrorists.Before the train attack, some terrorists had also stormed the Kaduna airport, killing one person. And twice within 24 hours, bombs were discovered and disabled by the police in the state.The cleric had allegedly urged worshippers and entire Nigerians to shun the polls in 2023 if the government failed to fix the security problems and other challenges confronting the nation.According to the committee that suspended and later sacked him, the sermon was capable of inciting public outrage.
Many Nigerians have criticised the government for allowing the sacking of the cleric, whom they have described as speaking truth to power.
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Our Kidnappers Said Their Fathers Own Nigeria, So They Resorted To Terrorism, Others To Get Their Share— Alao, Gospel Artiste Abducted In 2018
A gospel artiste, Oluwatosin Alao has recounted his ordeal in the den of kidnappers when the criminals stopped a vehicle conveying him to a programme in 2018.Alao, during a recent interview with Amina Atairu said he alongside eight members of his band started on the journey from Lagos to Kogi and on getting to Kabba in Kogi State, Fulani bandits attacked the vehicle with weapons: cutlasses and AK-47 guns.
However, the bandits took four members of the band, Alao inclusive while five other members including two females were allowed to go — an occurrence the artiste considered a miracle from God. He said the bandits took them into the bush forcing them to trek for hours non-stop and threatening to kill anyone whose strength had waned. He said the bandits even hit their heads with the butt of a gun.The gospel artiste said he and members of his band had to drink the water the bandits used to wash their cattle. Meanwhile, Alao who at some points, queried the kidnappers said they told him that they ventured into the business of kidnapping and terrorism because Nigeria belonged to their father. He said, “They told me that their father owns the land and since they’re not getting what belongs to them, they have resorted to doing this. They said Nigeria belongs to them since the 16th or 17th century. “They said they do only three jobs: kidnap, join Boko Haram and do rituals. They said when they kidnap someone and people can’t pay to get them and it results in death, they cut their body parts and sell them.”He narrated, “I went for a show with one of my friends to Kogi State, we travelled by road, we took a minibus for about nine of us, we branched in Akure, enjoyed ourselves. “We passed a military checkpoint, we were moving, thanking God that the place is safe. After like four minutes, it is a bumpy road, though people pass there, we were sceptical but we still moved. I noticed a Fulani man in front, but I didn’t know what it was exactly. “The more I approached the man, the more uncomfortable I was. When we were almost close to him, I stopped and he double-crossed the road with an AK-47. I looked at the rear mirror, to reverse, three other people came out at the back from the bush, we were in Kabba already. I couldn’t move because I observed they were carrying AK-47s, cutlasses, etc. “They smashed the glass and corked a gun. We surrendered and they marched nine of us into the bush, there were two female back-ups, and the faces of the four attackers were painted. The first miracle God gave us was that the ladies were separated from us and three others. They marched four of us into the bush, at about past 4, they destroyed the car. “One of the boys went to the military checkpoint but couldn’t get help. They set the five other people free. I started talking to them in Hausa. From past 4 pm, we trekked non-stop till 1 am, one of my back-ups, he’s on the big side, and the boy said he was already tired, and that he doesn’t mind ending it up there. “The attackers said they would kill him, that we’re supposed to cover miles. They said they were going to kill my backup guy and sell his body parts so the talking drummer volunteered to carry him. The attackers said they will kill him and right in my presence, those who will buy his body parts will arrive. We didn’t know what we were doing because they were all carrying guns. “Later that early morning, they tied us together and set up a bonfire so we can see. So my drummer said boss we can overcome these four people, they are four, we are four, he said these guns are not normal guns. He said boss let’s run, I don’t know what came over me, I’m not always afraid but I’m just relaxed that they know this bush more than us. We had trekked from Kogi to Ondo. One of them was 24, the other 26, one was 28 and the other 29. “The four of them don’t even stay in the same state. They tied four of us, one was in front with AK-47, one was at the back, one went into the bush, the other one was cooking drugs, they were high. My drummer insisted that we run but I said no. When it was daylight, we saw that it was a real gun, that had about ten cartridges. “They went through our phones to call people. One of the things I want to say here is that each time our phone rings, they will dial some networks to know the identity of the person. They knew what they were doing, this is a cartel, and they speak to people in the communication world. “They told me that this money they’re asking me, they’re not the only one that will share the money, the police, military, etc. In fact, when they took the N5 million. Someone brought the money in cash to them, they said that they would know if there is a tracker. “When I heard about the Kaduna attack, my spirit went back to what I passed through, it’s hell. We were walking around, we trekked for almost 50 hours, they kept moving, they have people talking to them, monitoring their location. My five band boys went to report to the military, my immediate elder brother is a king, he too was already connecting people. “The truth is, if you are kidnapped, you are on your own, it takes God for you to come back. Our release was a miracle. Three days after our release, the Oba of Ifon was killed. This thing is not ordinary. When they took the money, they flipped it because there is a way they will know if it is being tracked. “It is sad that a country I belong to, that I’m serving, I’ve been playing music for over three and a half decades in my country, I had the opportunity to stay abroad with a green card but this is my country, I feel great being a Nigerian but my friends ask me if I want to die in the country. “I had a baby three months before the time and I was like, is that the end? As I’m talking to you, I’m already traumatised. “The following day, we were in Ekiti, they asked if we were hungry. They gave us the water they used to clean their cows, I drank it. They’re used to it because they are all on drugs. They are fetish, at a time I asked them if they aren’t tired. As a Yoruba boy, there’s something called Kanako, it means you can decide to trek from here to Ibadan and the journey will be shorter and they told me that’s what they use. “They know everywhere within the 5, 6 states of that area. You don’t know the freedom you have sitting down, doing what you want, we were drinking it with happiness because we were on the verge of passing out. “They asked us what we wanted to eat, one of them went to the market in Ekiti State. They told me that their father owns the land and since they’re not getting what belongs to them, they have resorted to doing this. They said Nigeria belongs to them since the 16th or 17th century. They said they do only three jobs: kidnap, join Boko Haram and do rituals. “They said when they kidnap someone and people can’t pay to get them and it results in death, they cut their body parts and sell them. They will make lots of money from it. I couldn’t argue with them, because we have already said our last prayers several times. The guy that went to the market brought garri and palm oil, mixed it and asked us to eat it. They live like normal humans among us. Some of my guys rushed the garri. “At this time, they had started negotiating with people, my pastor would call and pray for them. After this, they would beat the hell out of us. In fact, we were even praying that the man shouldn’t even call. “Two of my mums made efforts to get the government, called and tried to locate where we were. But what we heard was, if the military tried to strike, they might be able to rescue but lose some of us. “When they eventually said we should look for N5 million out of N40 million, special thanks to friends, pastors, my colleagues. The gospel industry was thrown into pandemonium. Sammie Okposo, Big Bolaji, BJ Sax Nathaniel Bassey, those three nights, they were just praying.”
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E2%80%94-tinubu-takes-swipe You Can’t Supply Nigerian Youths With Poor Electricity And Call Them Lazy — Tinubu Takes A Swipe At Buhari Government
The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu has taken a swipe at President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. Tinubu, during a rally of South West youths of the ruling party on Saturday, said young Nigerians cannot be blamed for being “lazy” while the country faces the problem of electricity supply.
About four years ago, Buhari President Muhammadu Buhari criticised the attitude of some Nigerian youths, saying they were only hustling to get on the gravy train.“More than 60 per cent of the population is below 30, a lot of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil-producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing, healthcare, education free,” he had said during a panel appearance with world leaders at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London.He was fiercely criticised for the comment, with many saying it failed to convey the reality of the exploits of Nigerian youths.Speaking on Saturday at a rally of South West youths of the ruling party, Tinubu indirectly replied the President, stating that no nation can witness “rapid development” without electricity.He said the country is blessed with enough gas that can be used to generate electricity and even export to European countries.Tinubu said: “We cannot continue with excuses on NEPA failure. No! No nation can make rapid development without electricity.“Give us that, and if we cannot be successful, you can abuse us. You cannot give us erratic electricity that is undependable and then blame us again that we are lazy. No!“Nigeria — it is about time. We have enough gas to fire up our electricity. We can supply the rest of Europe with gas, and we can make money from it.”
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Sister Osinachi And Marriage In Igboland By Ozodinukwe Okenwa
The popular gospel singer and minister, Osinachi Nwachukwu, died recently in Abuja following alleged domestic violence. Sister Osinachi whose hit song, ‘Ekwueme’, made melodic headlines around the christian world died untimely at 42 as a direct or indirect result of the bestiality and brutality of the husband. Osinachi died a sad agonizing death after suffering bouts of domestic conjugal abuse and violence for years. She was a lead singer at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre.Peter Nwachukwu remains a beast of a man who never appreciated the fact that his late wife was a wonderful musical ministration talent, a rare gift to humanity. Or how better do we describe a primitive narcissist whose misogyny represents what many women experience in marital unions in Biafraland in particular and Nigeria in general? Peter, the glorified murderer, had since been arrested and interrogated following petitions from Osinachi’s family and friends.The man was said to have been married to another woman prior to encountering Osinachi and marrying her without her knowledge! The man is equally said to be her ruthless Manager. He must have elected to marry Osinachi because he saw in her a cash cow worth milking! And he milked her until she kicked the bucket unfortunately!Those she confided in before her demise had given accounts of how household was a living hell for her. The husband would kick and slap and beat her. He was playing god in her life, sometimes single-handedly annulling her booked concerts or appearances on stage.
It is absolutely incomprehensible how a responsible mother and wife could be subjected to conjugal cruelty to the extent that she had to kick the bucket as a direct or indirect result of this exhibition of animalistic wickedness.Reports had it that Osinachi suffered enormously while trying to keep her marriage. She was subjected to inhuman treatment by her husband. Credible accounts from different quarters indicated a wicked pattern of humiliation and savagery for years. Even sometimes these abuses occurred in the presence of their children who often partook in the abominable mistreatment.Now, beyond her sad demise what comes to mind is the marriage culture and inconveniences in Igboland. Since divorce is rare and frowned at many women endure years of abuse and dehumanization in the hands of their ignorant husbands.Igbos are predominantly Christians but there is a whole lot of hypocrisy and loathsomeness among its people. Divorce is seen generally as a failure and it seldom happens even in complicated situations.Many women (and even men) are content pretending that all is well in their marriages when the very opposite is the case. It is not isolated a case seeing couples who go about their businesses without exchanging greetings or pleasantries in the morning before departure from home! Sometimes men of God or family members are called upon to intervene but their intervention could end up bringing more acrimonious hardening of positions.The major problem confronting the average Igbo man or woman is that marriage remains a sacrosanct social culture for generations. And society imposes certain servile encumbrances to its mutual existence or dissolution. Worse still, true love is hardly any factor featuring seriously before marriages happen.Take for example. A so-called ‘big boy’ goes to Europe or America and hits a sudden fortune through drug trafficking or digital fraud and upon his triumphant return back home ‘loaded’ many girls would swoop around him in search of ‘Mr right’ just because of his money! Besides, you find that with money an illiterate could go for a graduate wife!Sometimes courtship hardly happens before the consecration of the marriage. What interests the girl and her mother or father is his bank accounts, the big house built by the future husband or the luxurious car he rides in. What follows is flashy traditional marriage and modern (christian) wedding.In many homes around the country a lot of women are currently experiencing what led to sister Osinachi’s brutal end. They are afraid to quit, fearful of what the larger society would say in the event of divorce or separation.Among the major ethnic groups that make up Nigeria the Igbos pride themselves as a formidable people with great culture and entrepreneurial spirit. The are rich, organized and mobile. Again, among the ethnic groups in Nigeria marriage in Biafraland remains the most expensive from time immemorial.Yet the high cost of marriage, instead of making conjugal homes safer or better, makes them living hell becoming practically impossible for many folks to get hooked up with girls of their amorous choice. You can see a girl fresh off university ‘hustling’ to marry a semi-illiterate moneybag!In a nation where the President, Muhammadu Buhari, could afford to declare in far away Germany that the place of his wife, the First Lady, was in the kitchen and ‘the other room’ (whatever that meant) people are emboldened to maltreat women or visit violence on them.We hold, in the final analysis, that Peter Nwachukwu (or Nwaekwensu) stands accused as the killer of sister Osinachi. Justice must be made to prevail in this despicable abominable matter. He must be brought before justice and tried and if found guilty jailed to serve as a deterrent to other brutes and ignorant idiots visiting their frustrations on innocent women.Enough must be said to be enough! We grieve for Osinachi, the ‘Ekwueme’ gospel exponent gone home too soon! May Jehovah accept her in His bosom!SOC Okenwasoco_abj_2006_rci@hotmail.fr
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Ozodinukwe Okenwa
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