Sahara Reporters Latest News Today Tuesday 26th January 2021
Sahara Reporters Latest News Today and headlines on some of the happenings and news trend in the Country, today 26/01/21
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E2%80%99s-eastern-security-network-clash-orlu VIDEO: Soldiers, Operatives Of IPOB’s Eastern Security Network Clash In Orlu
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E2%80%99s-statements-sues-peace Lagos Muslim Students Fault Kukah, Igboho’s Statements, Sues For Peace
The Lagos Chapter of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria has criticised the Christmas message by the Bishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Kukah and a recent statement by a pan-Yoruba nation activist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, asking Fulani herdsmen to leave an area in Oyo State.
In a press release signed by its President, Miftahudeen Thanni, on Monday, the group called on the Nigerian government to caution those causing discord in the country.
Bishop Matthew Kukah had said in his Christmas message that the country would have experienced a coup d’état had President Muhammadu Buhari not been a northern Muslim, while enumerating the challenges of the country, including nepotism in government and terrorism.
Also, Sunday Igboho gave Fulani herdsmen a seven-day ultimatum to leave Ibarapa area in Oyo State due to the upsurge in cases of killing, rape, kidnapping and other criminal activities believed to perpetrated by the killer Fulani herders.
In the statement, Thanni described Kukah’s statement as arrogant and said Igboho was not in any position to issue such a quit notice.
“No responsible government should allow lawlessness to reign. The activities of non-state actors in recent times are worrisome and must be quickly nipped in the bud by the federal and state governments,” Thanni said.
“For no reason should the government allow anybody to see him or herself as being above the law, especially those fanning the embers of disunity through words or action.
“It all started with Bishop Kukah’s arrogant New Year message capable of inciting the people of the state against the government and preaching religious hatred, a thing that should have attracted a harsh sanction from the Federal Government.
“And down to the South, Sunday Igboho unilaterally issued a quit notice to some Fulani over alleged banditry and kidnapping despite not being a state actor. In their reactions to this development, prominent groups and famous personalities threatened war.”
The MSSN, however, called for peace and unity in the country, stating that the ugly experience of the Ife-Modakeke tribal war in the 1990s, and a glimpse of the chaos that accompanied #EndSARS protests across the country were enough reasons to caution those allegedly causing tension.
“This resulted in tension and panic in the region. Though the majority of us did not witness the civil war, the memories of the Modakeke crisis and the violence that followed the EndSARS crisis can’t be forgotten. We want peace. Peace is sacrosanct. The full weight of the law should take its course on people who attempt to disrupt peace in the nation.
“Without doubt, an ethnic crisis is brewing in the country and an urgent intervention needs to be made. According to psychologists, people are more sympathetic and emotionally attached to their tribes and could do anything to defend them.”
Miftahudeen, who commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts to curtail insecurity in the country and encourage farmers, advised him to protect the country against disunity.
“We are aware of the grievances of many in the South-West against the activities of criminals and bandits. We appeal that a particular tribe should not be tagged and attacked. Instead, we should join hands with the government to fight crime collectively.
“Islam encourages peace and we want peace. All Nigerians should see ourselves as one regardless of tribe or profession. The unity of this country is paramount than ethnic bias. Both Fulani and Yoruba are Nigerians and we must see ourselves as one.
“We strongly appeal to the state governments concerned and our dear President to quickly swing into action and do the needful by arresting the situation headlong, thereby ensuring peaceful coexistence and forestall a further breakdown of law and order. Apart from the fact that some people are profiting from this insecurity, the media should avoid sensational headlines capable of misleading the general populace into crisis.”
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E2%80%99ve-sold-over-10000-weapons-bandits-%E2%80%93-katsina-man-two-sons-confess We’ve Sold Over 10,000 Weapons To Bandits – Katsina Man, Two Sons Confess
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The Katsina State Police Command has arrested a father, Haruna Yusuf, and two of his sons for their alleged involvement in banditry and sale of sophisticated dangerous weapons in the Kaita Local Government Area of the state.
Yusuf confessed to the police that he and his sons had sold over “10,000 arms and ammunition to bandits in the forest.”
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Yusuf and his two sons; Shuaibu Haruna and Murtala Haruna, were among 16 suspects paraded by the police on Monday at the Katsina command headquarters for alleged banditry and supply of weapons to bandits.
The police recovered two General Purpose Machine Guns, one LAR rifle, and 200 pieces of anti-aircraft ammunition from the suspects.
Yusuf, 47, with his sons; 18-year-old Shuaibu and Murtala; 20, lived and allegedly perpetrated their criminal activities in Sawarya village of the Kaita LGA.
Those paraded also included two Nigeriens: Ibrahim Dabo, 19, and Umar Bello, 28.
The Katsina State Commissioner of Police, Sanusi Buba, who briefed the press during the parade of the suspects and the display of the recovered items, did not reveal when the suspects were arrested.
The commissioner, however, attributed the arrest and the recovery of the items to “credible intelligence”.
He explained, “Based on credible intelligence, the command has been following a lead, one Lawan Zayyana, 35, of Muduru village, Mani Local Government Area of Katsina State, a notorious bandit and arms and ammunition supplier to bandits in the forest.
“In the course of the investigation, the suspect was trailed and arrested after a serious gun battle which led to the arrest of his cohorts.
“Consequently, Haruna Yusuf confessed to being the gang leader as he usually received the supply of arms and ammunition from Niger Republic and handed over to Lawan Zayyana, Haruna Adamu, and Auwal Abubakar who would, in turn, take the supply to bandits in the forest.
“He confessed to having sold over 10,000 arms and ammunition to bandits in the forest.”
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Human Rights Lawyer Drags El-Rufai to Court Over Indefinite School Closure
Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai
A Kaduna-based human rights lawyer, Desmond Tabakwot, has sued the governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai, over the indefinite closure of schools in the state due to COVID-19 infections.
SaharaReporters had reported how Kaduna State government had ordered the closure of schools across the 23 local government areas of the state.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai
The state Commissioner for Education, Shehu Makarfi, had said this was necessary due to an upsurge in the COVID-19 cases in the state.
But on Monday, Tabakwot challenged the closure by El-Rufai in a court of law.
Tabakwot argued that El-Rufai had no power to keep private and public schools closed indefinitely as the executive order on the matter was an infringement on the constitutional rights of affected students.
Arguing his submission, Tabakwot, who doubles as a Public Interest Litigator, and father of two school pupils, Mitchel and Mildred, on behalf of whom he is suing, argued that the Nigerian government ordered the resumption of all public and private schools on January 18.
The governor is the first respondent, followed by the Kaduna State Attorney General and Kaduna State Commissioner of Education as the 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively.
The charge sheet read, “The Federal Government of Nigeria on Thursday, January 14th, 2021 in Abuja directed that all public and private schools across the country should resume on Monday, January 18th, 2021, and the schools should adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols.
“That pursuant to the directive of the Federal Government of Nigeria, as stated in paragraph 4 above, the Lagos State Government announced that all schools in the state are to reopen on Monday, January 18, 2021.
“That similarly, schools in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory and Kano State have also resumed as directed by the Federal Government.
“That the statement of the Government of Kaduna State and by extension the 1st respondent above is a breach of the rights of students in the state enshrined under section 18 (1) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“That other schools and institutions in other states like Lagos State the FCT and Kano State have resumed full academic session with normal academic activities going on in compliance with the Federal Government’s directives of adhering to COVID-19 protocols.
“In fact, other public places with higher risk of COVID-19 spread and contact such as mosques, churches and various markets within Kaduna metropolis, have been functioning optimally while complying with the COVID-19 protocols, among others,” he stated
Tabkwot is, therefore, seeking among others “that all the students (in every nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions) in Kaduna State are entitled to the enjoyment of the objectives set out under section 18 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“That all the students (in every nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions) in Kaduna State are entitled to the enjoyment of the rights enshrined under Article 17 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That the continuous closure of, and refusal to open the schools in Kaduna State and the failure of the 1st respondent to discharge his constitutional duties and responsibilities under section 18 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) amounts to a breach or violation of the right to education of all the students in Kaduna State enshrined and protected under Article 17 (1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That the continuous closure of, and refusal to open all the schools in Kaduna State and the failure of the 1st respondent to discharge his constitutional duties and responsibilities under section 18 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) amount to a breach or violation of the right to freedom from discrimination of all the students in Kaduna State enshrined and protected under section 42 (1) (a) of the same Constitution.”
He also enjoined the court to make an order compelling the respondents to open all the schools (nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary institutions) in Kaduna State to enable normal academic activities resume.
He also sought other reliefs that the court may deem just and fit to make in the circumstances of his application.
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Governors Ban Open Grazing In South-West After Ondo Meeting
The governors of the South-West who met in Ondo State capital, Akure, on Monday banned all forms of open grazing in the region.
The decision was taken during the meeting which was held with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria as well as security chiefs.
Apart from the governors of South-West; Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Gboyega Oyetola of Osun State, Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; there were also; Mohammed Abubakar of Jigawa State, and Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State.
Giving a report of the meeting, Governor Makinde said, “Today, the South-West governors held a security stakeholders’ meeting in Ondo State. The meeting was attended by our brother governors from Kebbi and Jigawa States; security chiefs, SW zone led by the AIG Zone 11 and leaders from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.
“Collectively, we resolved to ban open grazing in all parts of the South-West. In Oyo State, we already have a law against open grazing which will continue to be implemented by our security agencies.”
Earlier, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, in his remarks, assured the herdsmen that they were not asked to leave Ondo State but to only get proper registration.
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He added that the meeting was held at the instance of the NGF and necessitated by the exigencies of the present challenges of insecurity in the country.
He noted that there was no eviction order given to the Fulani herdsmen in Ondo or any other state in the South-West.
“This is your home. You’ve lived here, married and done business with us. Nobody is going anywhere. The statement by the Ondo State Government had no eviction reference,” Fayemi was quoted as saying at the meeting.
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UPDATE: Biden Overturns Trump’s Transgender Military Ban
President Joe Biden
The United States President, Joe Biden, has finally repealed his predecessor’s ban on transgender Americans willing to join the US military.
The move is yet another example of Biden using executive orders to overturn policies initiated by the Donald Trump-led administration.
President Joe Biden
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Trump had announced the ban in July 2017, reversing a landmark decision by his predecessor, Barack Obama, which allowed transgender people to serve openly and receive medical care.
He, however, allowed transgender military personnel to keep serving while new recruits were kept out.
But in a statement on Monday, the White House said, “Transgender service members will no longer be subject to the possibility of discharge or separation on the basis of gender identity.
“President Biden believes that gender identity should not be a bar to military service, and that America’s strength is found in its diversity.”
It comes after new Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, a retired army general, spoke of the need to rescind the ban during his Senate confirmation hearing last week.
“If you’re fit and you’re qualified to serve and you can maintain the standards, you should be allowed to serve,” he said.
BBC reported that there were 8,980 on active duty transgender troops in 2019, according to Department of Defence data analysed by the Palm Center, a non-profit group.
Biden repeatedly said he planned to overturn the ban.
Prior to the inauguration, a memo from Ron Klain, now the White House Chief of Staff, said Mr Biden planned to use his first full week as president “to advance equity and support communities of colour and other underserved communities”.
Biden has already signed orders halting construction of the Mexico border wall, overturning a ban on travellers from several predominantly Muslim countries, and launching an initiative to improve racial equity.
Transgender rights were addressed early by the Biden campaign. He is the first president to pledge his support to the community in his victory speech.
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UPDATED: Uzodinma Declares Curfew On Imo Communities After Soldiers Allegedly Killed Five Residents, Razed Church, Others
Hope Uzodinma
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in all the local councils in Orlu area of the state.
At least five residents of Okporo, a town in Orlu zone have been reportedly shot dead by officers of the Nigerian Army following a clash between the security agency and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) security outfit, Eastern Security Network (ESN).
Hope Uzodinma
The community was said to be the operational base of the ESN.
The clash between the two groups led to sporadic gunshots, as residents scampered for safety.
Five persons, including a middle-aged woman, were said to have been killed by stray bullets from guns of the Nigerian Army while some properties were burnt.
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In a statement released after an emergency security council meeting of the state executive council on Monday, Governor Uzodinma said “those behind this callous barbarism will surely regret their actions”.
The statement read, “This afternoon, I received a very disturbing report on the activities of a group of militants who unleashed a shooting spree in the Orlu area of the state, killing and maiming innocent citizens in the process.
“I am totally appalled by this sad report which appears to paint a picture of a near breakdown of law and order in the Orlu area. The government condemns in its entirety this act of extreme hooliganism and brigandage. This is completely unacceptable to this administration. Those behind this callous barbarism will surely regret their actions.
“Consequently, I have directed the security agencies to fish out without fail, all those behind the carnage and immediately bring them to book. Let no one be in any doubt that the perpetrators of this dastardly act will ever escape justice. I assure them that they will pay for their cruelty against a peace-loving, innocent people.
“As an interim measure to immediately restore the peace in Orlu zone, a dusk-to-dawn curfew (6 pm to 6 am) is hereby imposed in the following local government areas of Orlu zone, namely Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Oru West, Ideato North, Ideao South, Njaba, Isu, Nwangele and Nkwerre.
“All law-abiding citizens are advised to comply strictly with the curfew as announced. Anyone caught violating the curfew will be treated as a suspect. The government wants to assure all Imo people that the situation in the Orlu area is under control. Security operatives have been deployed on a 24-hour patrol of the zone. Equally, every security measure necessary has been put in place to ensure that law-abiding citizens can go about their businesses in the affected areas without any fear of molestation.
“The government sincerely condoles with the families of the bereaved and all the victims of the unfortunate incident. I assure them that those who committed the heinous crime against them and their loved ones will never go unfurnished.”
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E2%80%93-apostle-suleman-reacts-sexual-allegation Maybe IGP Ordered Probe Of My Ghost – Apostle Suleman Reacts To Sexual Allegation
Apostle Johnson Suleman
The General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has denied that he was being probed by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, saying maybe the police were investigating his ghost.
The cleric noted that there was no such thing as the allegation against him that he allegedly slept with the wife of Mike Davids, a former pastor of the church.
Apostle Johnson Suleman
Reacting on his verified Twitter handle, @APOSTLESULEMAN, on Monday afternoon, he wrote, “IGP orders probe on me? Where, when? Maybe my ghost. Just reading stories now. Please discard. There is no such thing.”IGP orders probe on me?where,when?.maybe my ghost.just reading stories now.Please discard..There is no such thing..Bad press really sells fast.— Apst Johnson Suleman (@APOSTLESULEMAN) January 25, 2021
It had been reported earlier today that the IGP ordered a probe of Apostle Suleman, for allegedly sleeping with Pastor Faith Edeko, who heads the Abuja branch of Omega Fire Ministries in Utako.
The IGP had conveyed the order in a letter addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, dated January 5, 2021.
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The letter, with reference number CB: 7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/Vol.515/561, was signed by the Principal Staff Officer II to the Inspector-General of Police, ACP Iliya Doma.
The letter is sequel to a petition written by V.C. Ezenagu & Associates on behalf of the aggrieved Pastor Davids who accused Apostle Suleman of threat to life and preventing him from seeing his three children.
The police letter is titled, “Re: Criminal Petition Against Apostle Johnson Suleman for Enticement of a Married Woman; Adultery; Unlawful Criminal Restraint to Access Children and Threat to Life.”
The letter had read in part, “I attach herewith a copy of a letter dated December 30, 2020 with its attachments received from V.C. Ezenagu & Associates on the above underlined subject. The Inspector-General of Police directs that you treat. Accept the assurances of my esteemed regards please.”
In the petition he sent to the IG, Davids said he met Apostle Suleman in 2003 while he was in school. He said they became very close and he was eventually ordained a pastor of Omega Fire Ministries on June 9, 2006 by Apostle Suleman and served the church for over 15 years before his exit in 2019. He attached his pastoral certificate with licence number 125 to the petition.
In three videos posted on Instagram on Sunday, the aggrieved pastor accused Suleman of sleeping with his wife and destroying his marriage.
Davids, who wept in the videos, said he began a relationship with his wife in secondary school and they courted for about 11 years before marriage.
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E2%80%98havent-you-destroyed-me-enough%E2%80%99-%E2%80%94-pastors-wife-accused-sleeping-apostle-suleman-attacks ‘Haven’t You Destroyed Me Enough?’ — Pastor’s Wife Accused Of Sleeping With Apostle Suleman Attacks Husband
L-R: Suleman; Edeko; Davids.
Pastor Faith Edeko has debunked allegations by her husband that she had an affair with the General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministries International, Apostle Johnson Suleman.
A former pastor of the church, Mike Davids and husband of Edeko had, in three viral videos on Sunday, alleged that Suleman slept with his wife and also stopped him from seeing his three children.
L-R: Suleman; Edeko; Davids.
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He also alleged that he received threats from the clergyman, which has prompted the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to order a probe into the matter. But, reacting in a video on Monday, Edeko, who heads a branch of the church in Utako, Abuja, dismissed the allegations by her husband, describing it as an attempt to blackmail Suleman.
She also said it was Davids who walked out of their marriage and that she suffered so much abuse while she was still living with him. She said she even contemplated suicide but her son stopped her.
According to her, Davids abandoned the marriage and even demanded a refund of her bride price from her family.
She said, “I don’t know what you hope to achieve, I don’t know who paid you but the only thing I will say is haven’t you done enough? “You left me in Kano. You called me on a certain day that you were going to leave the marriage. I thought you were bluffing. I called my people and they can testify. My elder brother called you from the UK. You told them you were leaving the marriage. My elder brother told me you were bluffing.
“I remember I begged you and then I got to the office and I collapsed, according to what my principal said because I found myself in the hospital.
“There are recordings which I will upload. You told my brothers that I would crawl in the gutters. I told them not to do anything to you, that you are still the father of my kids. At some point, I contemplated suicide. I had written my suicide note, I had bought Sniper (a brand of pesticide) because I could not fathom how I would live life in so much pain. I won’t drag you because of my children, you have done too much and it is enough. I have not been hypnotised. I am not under a spell.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Inspector-General of Police, ordered a probe into the allegations following a petition by Davids.
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The IGP had conveyed the order in a letter addressed to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Intelligence Bureau, Garki, dated January 5, 2021.
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Fulani Youths Meet In Kaduna, Warn Against Violence, Killings
Miyetti Allah group
Fulani youths under the umbrella of Ummiobe Sukabe Development Association of Nigeria on Monday addressed journalists in Kaduna State, warning that stereotypes about the Fulani tribe would negatively affect Nigeria.
In an address by the group’s national president, Muhammad Ardo, he called on the Nigerian government, international community, religious leaders, traditional rulers, National Assembly and security agencies to intervene “as a matter of urgency to prevent a breakdown of law in the country.”
Miyetti Allah group
The meeting was called at the instance of the ultimatums given by the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, and a pro-Yoruba nation activist, Sunday Igboho, to Fulani herdsmen to leave the forest reserves in the state and Ibarapa area in Oyo State respectively.
They both blamed Fulani herdsmen or those masquerading as Fulani herdsmen for growing cases of kidnapping and killing in their areas.
The body said people responsible for wreaking havoc and disturbing the peace should be arrested and brought to justice.
Some days after Igboho gave the ultimatum, violence erupted in the area during which 11 cars and some other belongings of the Seriki Fulani of Igangan, Alhaji Saliu Abdulkadir, were burnt.
Ardo noted that the constitution gives every law-abiding citizen the right to live wherever they want in the country.
While calling on Fulani youths to be calm and law-abiding citizens, they appealed to the Nigerian government to find the perpetrators of crime against the Fulani, and to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
He said, “In view of the recent events in this country regarding the issue of Fulani, especially in the southern part, we deem it fit to hold this event.”
They expressed surprise about the notices to quit given to the Fulani and the recent alleged attack on the Seriki Fulani of Igangan.
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