Gunmen attack community, set monarch, Deputy Speaker’s houses ablaze

Gunmen went on rampage in Orsumoghu community in Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State, setting ablaze houses belonging to the State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Pascal Agbodike.The attackers also reportedly set ablaze the house of the traditional ruler of the community and that of the President General of the community, Nze Denis Muomaife.

The incident was made known during a meeting of stakeholders in Anambra South Senatorial Zone with the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Recall that Anambra South Zone had previously been marked as a redspot of insecurity in the state.

Following the persistent and frequent attacks in the Zone, INEC at the stakeholders’ meeting solicited collaboration to ensure that elections in the zone are held peacefully.

Speaking during the meeting, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, asked the stakeholders whether elections would be held in those communities because of their current volatility.

In his response, Muomaife, who said his house was burnt down by gunmen two weeks ago, said the community had set up a peace and reconciliation committee to make sure that such issues were tackled in time to ensure that elections can be held in the area.

The REC, Agwu, therefore emphasized that it was about time youths in Anambra State took possession of their lands, noting that insecurity in Igboland (South East) was caused by the indigenes and not imported persons.

“We must hold 2023 elections; it must be credible and the votes must count. This is the time for the youth to rise up in different communities to protect their people.

“We have prepared for the election with materials and men. What we need from communities is to collect their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs. Non-sensitive materials have been distributed already.

“Anything that will make [the] election not successful in Anambra South should be resisted; anyone caught doing abnormal things during the election will not be alive to tell the story.

“I’m relying on the Presidents-General in all the communities and traditional rulers to secure their areas during the election. Let us avoid suppressing ourselves,” she said.

Speaking further, Agwu said that the corporate existence of Nigeria depends on the 2023 general elections.

She noted that “This nation is seriously depleted today and that’s why we’re talking about unity. Voter education concerns and affects everyone in this country. There are so many ways it affects us, but the problem we have here is our penchant for pursuing money.”

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High court set ablaze by armed men

Armed Men on Saturday have set ablaze the building of Imo State high court in Orlu LGA, part of the structure housing sensitive documents, files and valuables were razed down by the inferno.The development came barely few days after some gunmen attacked the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Owerri, which was alleged to be carried out by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Information available indicates that the complex is housing both the high court and a magistrates’ court.

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Bandits kill 120-year-old woman, 5 others

Gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Raka village of Tangaza Local Government Area in Sokoto State and burnt down many houses and food items before they made away with an undisclosed number of domestic animals.

It was gathered that a 120-year-old woman and five other community members were also killed by the marauders.

When contacted on phone, the district head of the area, Alhaji Sa’idu Wakili confirmed the attack, saying that although no one was kidnapped, the bandits burnt down two-thirds of the houses and food items and also rustled cattle.

He urged the federal and state governments to intensify more efforts toward solving the security challenges in the area.

The district head also called on wealthy individuals in the axis to formulate formidable means of protecting the lives and properties of the people in the area.

The acting chairman of Tangaza Local Government Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Lawal Junju, accompanied by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Roads Maintenance, Engr. Mai Damma Tangaza visited the community and commiserated with the villagers and also promised to forward his findings to the government for necessary assistance to the victims.

DAILY POST reports that there have been no official statements from either the state government or security agencies at the time of filing this report.

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Gunmen kill APC party supporters for Defying purported sit-at-home order

Some supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have been killed by gunmen for defying a kangaroo sit-at-home order in Anambra State.

This was seen in a video clip obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday morning, showing some lifeless bodies in the pool of their blood which the gunmen identified as those working for the APC government.

“Thunder fire APC. This government is our government. Anybody working with Nigerian government will die,” one of the gunmen said in the video.

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Thugs Attack Home Of PDP Chairman

Thugs numbering about 20 on Thursday morning attacked the residence of the chaiman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, Senator Lee Maeba.Maeba and several other prominent PDP leaders in the State are supporters of the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

LEADERSHIP gathered that although the thugs could not gain access into the main residence of the former federal lawmaker, his older brother was, however, injured during the attack.Also, no fewer than four vehicles, including a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) were vandalised during the attack.

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State Commissioner and three others kidnapped

Unknown gunmen have abducted the Benue State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Ekpe Ogbu, alongside Honourable Agbo Ode, one of his in-laws and the driver on Sunday night, December 4, at about 8.45pm.According to reports, they were kidnapped along David Marks Farm, after Akpa Otobi while on their way from Otukpo to Utonkon in Ado Local Government Area of Benue state.

The commissioner was said to have attended a Church programme, where Senator Abba Moro, representing Benue South Senatorial district, dedicated his newly inaugurated Campaign Council to God at St. Augustine Catholic Church, Otukpo and was going to his village in NDEKMA, Utonkon District of Ado LGA after the Church programme when the gunmen who laid an ambush struck and whisked them away.

The state police have since recovered his official vehicle and deposited it at the Divisional Police office in Otukpo.

Efforts are currently being made to rescue the victims unhurt.

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Bandits Kill 7, abduct 5 in fresh attacks

Bandits have killed seven persons and abducted five others in separate attacks on some communities in Goronyo and Sabon Birni Local Government Areas of Sokoto State.The communities attacked include Bare, Kagara, Kojiyo in Goronyo LGA and Faji village in Sabon Birni LGA.

It was reported that six persons were killed in Bare and one in Kagara. The bandits also reportedly broke into shops and looted some assorted goods.

The Chairman of Goronyo local government council, Abdulwahab Goronyo, who confirmed the attack, said the bandits also rustled several livestock in the villages.

According to Goronyo, the attacks happened around 4pm on Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

At Faji village, the bandits were said to have abducted five persons including a man and his two wives.

The abducted persons are Alhaji Yusuf, Suwaiba Isa, Dagumi and his two wives.

The victims were laid to rest on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

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Angry Youths set popular Monarch’s Palace Ablaze

The Palace of Aree of Iree in Boripe North Local Council Development Area of Osun State, was on Thursday evening, vandalised and set on fire by Angry Youths in the town.The palace was said to have been burnt by youths who were not pleased about the arrest of the Aogun of Iree, Chief Soliu Atoyebi, by security agents on Thursday morning.

It was attacked and burnt around 7.00 p.m, when the traditional ruler, Oba Ponle Ademola, was said to be out of the palace.

The incident led to the blockage of major roads leading to the town, while the aggrieved youths made burn fires on the roads.

Business owners in the town were said to have immediately locked up their shops, while residents too locked up themselves for safety measures.

The Osun Police Spokesperson, SP Yemisi Opalola, was not available for comments, as her phone was switched off.

It was gathered that Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, had on Monday, a day after his inauguration, issued an Executive Order, setting aside the appointment and enthronement of three traditional rulers, Aare of Iree; Akirun of Ikirun and Owa of Igbajo.

Adeleke also directed that the palaces of the three traditional rulers should be locked up, while security agents should take charge of the palaces to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

There had been palpable fear in Iree Town following the appointment and approval of Prince Ponle Ademola as the Aree of Iree by the immediate past administration of Gboyega Oyetola.

Some ruling houses and groups in the town had rejected the selection of Ademola, alleging that he was imposed on the people by officials in the Oyetola’s administration.

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Brain drain results from Insecurity, dearth of Requisite equipment in Nigeria -Wike

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has identified the intractable insecurity situation in Nigeria as one reason why most professionals leave the shores of the country in droves for greener pastures.Governor Wike spoke on the cause of brain drain at the inauguration of the Renal/Dialysis Centre and House Officers Quarters at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

The Rivers State governor maintained that welfare of doctors and other professionals are not primarily the sole reasons for brain drain in the country. He noted that because of the looming unemployment situation in the country, most people now opt going outside of Nigeria for the dream job they required.

Even when some of professionals are employed within Nigeria, governor Wike insisted that such persons are not provided with the requisite equipment to use in their various organisations and industries.

"When you talk about brain drain, it is not only associated with the medical profession. So many people leave this country because of unemployment. So many people have left this country because of insecurity. So many people have left this country because where they work the equipment is not there.

"It is not only just because of welfare, that is why you see brain drain, no. It is not correct. Even professors in the university in the various faculties of law, faculties of engineering most of them leave because the tools to work are not there.

“But you are lucky you (RSUTH staff) have the tools here. So, clap for us first that we have provided the basic things. Today, you're lucky, you're working in a teaching hospital where you can find the equipment, at least, to make your job easier for you. So, it is not as bad as where the equipment are not there."

Governor Wike reiterated that it was out of grateful heart that he thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the release of 13% derivative fund arrears, from 1999 to date, that was never paid by previous administration to States in Niger Delta.

He wondered why saying thank you is an offense and a particular governor feels offended over the thank you said to President Buhari over the release.

The said governor, according to governor Wike had gone in national television to say that money spent to do a 3km road in his State would be used to construct more than 15 flyovers elsewhere.

“Simply because I said you people should thank President Muhammadu Buhari for releasing 13 percent arrears to us. I did not abuse anybody. Did I? All I said is please thank him, that if he did not release this arrears to me and some of our states, it may have been difficult for me to even talk about building a Renal Centre, Cancer and Cardiovascular centre, Basic and Clinical Sciences faculty, House officers quarters. I don’t think saying thank you is an offence.

"On television, I heard one of the governors said in his state to do 3 kilometre road will do more than 15 flyovers. Rivers State, is it not Niger Delta State? Don't we have riverine areas in Rivers State? Amayanabo of Opobo said since he was born, he has never driven by road to Opobo.

"The day he drive by road to Opobo, he said, God is it possible that in my own time I will not go through the river again, I am now driving by road to Opobo. That is a major riverine area. By the grace of God this December (2022) we are going to commission the first phase of Trans-Kalabari Road. That is a major riverine area.

Speaking further, governor said, "I didn't know that people are sick about the flyovers I do. Okay, sorry. I don't want you to be sick again. I won't do again. Instead of you to appreciate and ask somebody how are you doing this, and justify what you're doing.

"I have turned the state capital around using a major construction firm like Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. If you know you have the capacity, if you know you have what it takes go and take Julius Berger and see whether you can pay salary."

Governor Wike pointed to how determined he was in creating the space for medical education that led to the establishment of medical college at the Rivers State University (RSU), which hitherto was not in existence before he assumed office.

"To tell you it is not just flyovers, look at the health sector alone. As at the time we came, this State had no medical college, only the University of Port Harcourt had, and you see how competitive being a federal university. How many of our people get admission to read medicine and other related courses."

About a 100 students of Rivers origin, he informed, at the PAMO university of medical sciences are also placed on State government scholarship, and who upon graduation, are to gain automatic employment into government establishment.

Governor Wike said while equipment are provided, and medical facilities upgraded, the manpower gap is also being filled.

The governor maintained that the current congestion that is experienced at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) is being addressed.

He explained that in the coming days, the Gynecology department will move to the Mother and Child Hospital and other departments moving to their dedicated facilities like the Maxillofacial and Kersely Harrison Hospital.

Speaking on the projects, Governor Wike urged Nigerians to seek medical assistance from the Renal/dialysis Centre because it has the best equipment and personnel to offer requisite services.

There is already an ongoing arrangement, governor Wike hinted, towards an effective management of the centre to ensure sustainability.

Governor Wike also advise the house officers to imbibe maintenance culture so that they can always keep the quarters clean and maintain the structure.

In his speech, Chief Medical Director of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Friday Aaron said the two projects inaugurated are signature of the genuine love of governor Wike for the State.

Dr. Aaron recalled that the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) was already constructing a Renal Dialysis Unit and governor Wike noticed that if allowed in its form, will be limited in the service it will offer.

The CMD said governor Wike directed an expansion of the unit into a world class centre that will diagnose renal cases, perform dialysis and do transplant of kidney. This, he said is because the governor believes that Rivers people deserve the best.

In his address, commissioner for health, Prof. Princewill Chike said the Renal Centre is one of the best in Nigeria that has been provided by governor Wike for his love for the health sector.

The centre, he pointed out, is a one storey building that has lift that can take 13 person per time.

According to him, there are also doctors and nurses call rooms, water treatment unit, and a 6bed space dialysis area.

Prof. Chike also informed that on the first floor, there are two theatres, one is for where kidney donor and recipient are kept, with equipment to ensure the marching of the kidney.

He said the second theatre is where the transplanting of the kidney is done and the situation properly monitored.

Prof. Chike said there is 100kv standby generating set and 30kva inverter with 6 solar plates to ensure regular power supply.

The chairman, Nigeria Medical Association, Dr. Ebi Robinson commended governor Wike for building the Renal centre and equipping it with latest state of the art medical equipment that will enhance the productivity of doctors in the hospital.

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₦‎20M Cash Community Paid To Bandit Leader To Avoid Attacks

Residents of Gidan-goga village, in Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State, allegedly paid a N20m levy imposed on them by bandit leader, Bello Turji, to stop him from attacking them.

The bandit leader had asked the villagers to pay the money on or before Sunday, November 27, or face his wrath.

A resident of the community said that the money was paid on Sunday and villagers who fled to other places, have started returning to their homes.

Zagazola Makama, a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in Lake Chad, West Africa, on Wednesday, November 30, 2022, shared photos of the residents arranging the cash.

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Labour Party Women Leader Assassinated

The Southern Kaduna(Zone 3) Labour party family, Commiserate with the Chairman and exco's of Kaura local government Labour party over the untimely demised of our Mother, Sister Mrs Victoria Chintex Woman leader, Kaura local government who's sad event took place yesterday by some unknown gun men in her resident in kaura.It saddens our hearts that such an industrious, hard working and dedicated woman leader was kill when the families of Labour party from the local government, Zonal and the state needed her the most at this critical times that Nigerians are quest for a new Nigeria through Labour party.

Similarly the Zonal leadership of Labour party in Zone 3, are bereaved at this moment, we are calling on all the members of Labour party from each polling units , wards , local government, Zonal, state and the National, to pray along with us at this critical time.

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12-Year-Old Boy Kidnaps 3-Year-Old Girl, Demands ₦‎150,000 As Ransom

Police in Bauchi State have arrested a 12-year-old boy for allegedly kidnapping a three-year-old.This is contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Bauchi by police spokesman in the state, SP Ahmad Wakil.

He stated that the 12-year-old kidnapped the baby in Magama Gumau community in Toro Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, the suspect lured the victim into an isolated area and placed a telephone call to her father demanding N150,000 as ransom for the captive’s release.

“A discreet investigation revealed that the suspect lured the victim to an isolated place near a football field at Kara Area of Magama Gumau and called the victim’s father on phone and made the demand.

“On hearing the demand, the victim’s father hung up and refused to take subsequent calls.

“After a while, the victim’s father called the suspect and identified him through his familiar voice.

“He called his name, but the suspect kept mute, hung up, swiftly took the girl to her parent’s house where he told the family that he sighted her crying near a football field,’’ SP Wakil stated.

He added that the victim’s family immediately reported the suspect to the police for necessary action.

Wakil stated also that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the crime and said he would have used the ransom money to buy clothes and phones.

“Investigation also showed that the suspect got to know about kidnapping for ransom when some time ago, his friend was kidnapped in Kano State.

“Those who kidnapped his friend were paid ransom before he was released and that was how the suspect learned that money must be paid to set a kidnap victim free,’’ he stated.

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Bandits Abduct Four Villagers, Demand New Naira Notes

Bandits operating in Zamfara State have kidnapped four villagers in Kolo community, Gusau Local Government Area of the State.It was gathered that the kidnapped victims include a man, a woman and two children who are said to be orphans.

According to one Musa Ibrahim from the community, the bandits had earlier requested the sum of N10m as ransom before the kidnapped victims would regain their freedom, but later agreed to collect N5 million.

“As we were putting heads together to see how we could raise the five million naira through community effort, the terrorists sent a message on Tuesday that they would not collect old Naira notes,” he lamented.

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Principal, teachers, nurse kidnapped by terrorists in Irele Ekiti

Gunmen on Monday kidnapped four persons along Oke Ako-Irele Road in the Ajoni Local Council Development Area of Ekiti State.Sources said the victims included the principal of a secondary school in the area, two teachers and a nurse with a primary health care centre, who were returning home at the close of work.

The PUNCH learnt that the kidnappers waylaid the four persons and whisked them to the forest, leaving the principal’s vehicle on the road.

A source at Irele Ekiti said, “There is anger in the LCDA here. These kidnap incidents and attacks are worrisome. Nobody is sure of his safety again. We need help; something has to be done urgently to guarantee the security of our people in the homes, streets, farms and roads.”

The Chairman, Ajoni LCDA, Michael Ogungbemi, who lamented the incident, said the security agency of the council in conjunction with men of the police, hunters and Amotekun corps had been mobilised to comb the bushes and forests in the area.

Ogungbemi said, “When I got the report, I quickly mobilised men of Operation Ebborac to begin forest combing at Irele and Oke Ako. I also reported the matter to the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ikole Police Division; his men are also here combing the bush so that we can waylay these people in the forest.

“We have also mobilised Operation Ebborac operatives in the neighbouring towns of Itapaji, and Iyemero and hunters as well to begin forest combing so that we can nab them in the thick forest where they are keeping the people. We believe that before daybreak, we should be able to apprehend the criminals and release our people.”

The Commander, Ekiti Amotekun Corps, Brig. Gen. Joe Komolafe (retd), who said his men alongside men of the Nigerian Army and the police had begun search for the captives, assured that their efforts would culminate in their release.

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Nigerian Community Contributes N20Million ‘Peace Deal Fee’ For Notorious Terrorist, Bello Turji

Residents of Gidan Goga town in the Maradun Local Government Area of Zamfara State are reportedly contributing the sum of N20 million to give to the notorious terrorist leader, Bello Turji as a form of a "peace deal fee" to free their town from him.

Bello Turji Kachalla, popularly known as Turji, is a notorious Nigerian terrorist and bandit leader who has been operating in northern Nigerian states including Zamfara, Sokoto and Niger.

The 28-year-old terrorist leader allegedly led a bandit gang attack from January 4 to 6, 2022, where over 200 people including women and children were massacred by bandits in Zamfara State.

“People in the community are raising N20 million to give to Bello Turji to strike a form of peace deal with him so that there won’t be attacks here again,” a resident told SaharaReporters.

"The community hopes this will end attacks," another resident confirmed the situation.

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Boko Haram Kills over 20 women Labelled as Witches

Members of the deadly Boko Haram Islamic sect on Tuesday killed over 20 women labelled as witches.The women were reportedly kidnapped from Gwoza community in Borno, northeastern Nigeria.

SaharaReporters learnt that the terror group killed the women who were labelled as witches following the death of the children of a Boko Haram commander, identified as Ali Ngulde.

“Boko Haram commander, Ali Ngulde slaughtered about 20 women by slitting their throats after accusing them of being witches in Borno,” a military source told SaharaReporters on Tuesday.

“About 40 of them were abducted last week, over 10 were slaughtered in Gwoza town last Thursday and more than 10 were killed during the weekend.

“The women were all suspected of witchcraft after the sudden death of the children of the jihadist group's commander.”

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Gunmen threaten to force Gov Soludo to resign

Some alleged members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) have threatened to force Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo to resign through killings.They warned that since he has decided to use police and military to hunt them, they will make the State ungovernable for him.

A voice-mail by one of the leaders, who identified himself as 'Okwute' (Awka North and South Commander) of ESN obtained by The Nation threatened to continue killings in the State.

The ESN leader threatened they will visit the hospital of a medical doctor and kill anybody there if he fails to cooperate with them.

He claimed to have monitored the doctor and his activities in the town, adding that he had not supported their Biafra project. 

According to him: "Do you believe in Biafra? How much have you put in the project since we started this cause? Some of you are sabotaging what we're doing in Igboland. 

"How much are you willing to pay to support our mission? We will send an account where you will pay N500,000 or forget it."

When the acclaimed doctor promised to pay N20,000 into their account, the angry ESN Commander, threatened to shut down his hospital. 

"Since Governor Soludo has vowed to hunt us with Police and Army in this state, we're going to make Anambra ungovernable for him and he will be forced to resign," the voice said 

But Anambra Police spokesman , Ikenga Tochukwu, who requested to listen to the voicemail, advised the voicemail should be reported to any of the nearby station. 

The report, according to the PPRO, would enable the Command to carry out proper investigations.

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Bandit demand #10m ransom to release corpse of man they killed after collecting #3m

Bandits demanded N10 million ransom for the releasing of the dead body of late Obadiah Ibrahim, a victim kidnapped some weeks ago in Kaduna State.The deceased brother, Kefas Obadiah said in an interview at the weekend said that the bandits had collected over N3 million ransom earlier but refused to release the victim who was kidnapped in October 2022.

“My brother’s name is Obadiah Ibrahim, he was kidnapped in early October first week in Sabon Gaya on his way back from Abuja to Kaduna," he narrated.

“Although I wasn’t the one communicating with the bandits. There was a negotiator. Earlier the bandits demanded N200 million and later settled for N3 million plus.

"They said we should bring the money. After giving them the ransom they told us the money was for their foodstuffs which got finished, and that we should go and bring N15 million.

"They later came down to N5 million and three motorbikes and later collected one bike. After collecting a bike we didn’t hear from them again. We try to communicate with them but unfortunately, we were unable.

"Then on Thursday when the negotiator called them, they said our brother is d3ad. We thought they were joking.

"They said their own men were arrested by police, tied to a tree and k!lled. So they vented their anger too on our brother because of what the police did to their brother.

"According to them, Ibrahim had died on Monday and they informed us on Thursday. We asked for his corpse and they said we should pay them N10m if we want his corpse as they’ll not work for us free of charge"

"The bandits also said that if we bring the money they’ll release the corpse in three days."

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Nigeria Lacks Commander-In-Chief; Secret Police, DSS Operatives Were Busy Watching Big Brother Naija While I Was Illegally Detained In 2019 – Sowore

Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) for the 2023 general elections, says Nigeria currently doesn’t have a commander-in-chief.Muhammadu Buhari is Nigeria’s President but many Nigerians have described him as inept and incompetent as the commander-in-chief.

Sowore disclosed this on Sunday at the Town hall meeting series two organised for some candidates gunning for the presidency.

The event was put together by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in collaboration with ARISE Television.

Other candidates in attendance are Yabagi Sani, Action Democratic Party; Peter Umeadi, All Progressives Grand Alliance and Adewole Adebayo, Social Democratic Party.

According to Sowore, if he had been voted into power in 2019, there would have been no complaints about security in the country.

The activist highlighted that there cannot be peace or security where poverty is widespread and where there is no justice and social protection.

He added that when he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS), the officers of the secret police who should be busy gathering intelligence, were busy watching Big Brother Naija, a reality TV show in their office.

“We don't have a commander-in-chief. We have a rogue system where everyone is doing what they like.

“To collect intelligence, you must have intelligent people. When I was detained in DSS for five months, DSS officials were busy watching BBNaija,” he said.

The DSS arrested Sowore on August 2, 2019, and despite being granted bail by different courts, the agency failed to release the activist.

The office of the Attorney-General of the Federation subsequently charged him and Olawale Bakare, who was arrested in Osogbo, Osun State, in connection to the protest, with treasonable felony, among other offences.

 

The prosecution accused them of planning to topple Buhari’s government.

Despite the trial court granting fresh bail to Sowore, the DSS still refused to release him until the government eventually bowed to local and international pressure in December 2019.

Since his release, Sowore has continued to organise protests against the Buhari administration and has on different occasions been arrested, manhandled or detained for doing so.

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Gunmen attack Soludo’s hometown, soldiers, hoodlums killed

Gunmen attacked the Isuofia community of Aguata Local Government Area, where the governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo hails from in the early hours of Saturday.Sources said no fewer than two soldiers and four of the attacking hoodlums died in a fierce gun battle between the gunmen and soldiers stationed in the community.

According to a source, the hoodlums first attacked the soldiers at an army checkpoint and killed two of them before the army personnel gave them a chase and neutralised four of the assailants in the process.

Anambra State Police Command Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the incident, and the state’s Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, also confirmed the story in a statement.

Ikenga said Police operatives have been deployed to the scene, and that normalcy has been restored in the area, while Nwosu urged Indigenes to alert security officials when they notice security breaches.

Nwosu said: “A gang of gunmen struck the Nigerian Army checkpoint at Afor-Uzo Junction, Isuofia, this morning. Unfortunately for the hoodlums, they met their Waterloo.

“Our gallant and alert security agents who gave them a hot chase immediately returned fire and neutralised four of the gang members in a fierce exchange of shootings. Their Toyota Avenza with which they launched the deadly operation was recovered.”

He further added: “The government of Anambra State wishes to reassure the people of their safety, especially during this yuletide season. If you see something; please say something to help our vigilant security agents protect you better. “

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