Unknown gunmen launched fresh attacks in Owerri, the capital of Imo State, on Wednesday, causing widespread panic in and around the city. Reports indicate that the gunmen targeted multiple locations, including the popular Ikenegbu area, Wethedral Road, Okigwe Road, the Amawusa area on Douglas Road, and Toronto Street extending to MCC Road Junction. This follows an earlier attack on Monday, where gunmen killed four policemen on duty at Orji Road and stole their rifles. Residents were thrown into chaos by sporadic gunshots in different parts of the town, leading many to flee for safety. A fish seller at Relief Market,…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the Federal Government for allegedly funding counter protests to oppose planned peaceful demonstrations by aggrieved Nigerians against bad governance. In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Uzodinma, HURIWA described the government’s actions as a “clear show of shame.” “It is a clear show of shame that the same government that opposes the protests by persons opposed to bad governance has now begun funding protests against the end bad governance protests,” Uzodinma said. “This doesn’t make any logical sense at all.” HURIWA asserted that the Federal Government’s actions…
Veteran Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has denied reports that he has left the Labour Party. Okonkwo affirmed his continued membership during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Tuesday. “First of all, let me say I am embarrassed by your comment. I am just hearing it from your media station that I dumped the Labour Party,” Okonkwo said. “I put up the statement that I made so that I wouldn’t be misconstrued. So, where did you get that from? It’s not certainly from the statement that I made. I am still a full-fledged member of the…
Alphonsus Eba, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Cross River State, announced on Wednesday that the party has secured a police permit to march in all 196 political wards of the state in opposition to the nationwide protest. Eba disclosed this during an interaction with journalists at the APC Secretariat in Calabar. He stated that he would lead APC members through designated routes in Calabar for a 14-day period. “Other party officials and registered members will engage in similar marches in their respective local governments and wards starting from August 1st,” Eba said. He emphasized that the march…
The Nasarawa State Police Command has provided an update on recent arrests and the recovery of weapons in its ongoing campaign against crime in the state. This was disclosed during a press briefing on Tuesday by the Commissioner of Police, CP Shehu Umar Nadada. CP Nadada highlighted the dedication and effectiveness of the law enforcement officers in the region, detailing numerous arrests and recoveries: July 5, 2024: Based on credible intelligence, police operatives arrested Julius Oseweya, 30, in Keana and recovered an AK-47 rifle, a magazine, and 15 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition. Subsequent Investigations: Led to the arrest of Adamu…
A suspected kidnapper has been killed following a gun duel with the Delta State Commissioner of Police Special Team in Oviri-Ogor Community, Ughelli North Local Government Area. The suspect succumbed to gunshot injuries in a hospital after the confrontation with the police team, which was led by ASP Julius Robinson. Other members of the kidnapping gang, who also sustained gunshot injuries, managed to flee the crime scene, InfoStride News reports. The police recovered two pump-action guns and sixteen rounds of live cartridges from the scene. Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested nine suspected internet fraudsters in Abuja. This was disclosed in a statement posted on the EFCC’s official X handle on Tuesday. According to the commission, the suspects were apprehended on Monday in the Wuye area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) following credible intelligence on their suspected fraudulent activities. The statement read: “Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Abuja Zonal Directorate, have arrested nine suspected internet fraudsters. They were arrested on Monday, 29 July 2024, at the Wuye axis of Abuja following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement…
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has called on Nigerians to ensure that bandits, criminals, and insurgents do not hijack the planned August 1 hardship protest. Akume made this appeal on Wednesday during a press briefing in Abuja, just hours before the protest. Akume assured the public that the ongoing economic hardships will abate as the government’s reforms begin to yield positive results. He emphasized that President Bola Tinubu, as a democrat, recognizes the right of every citizen to peaceful protest but urged vigilance. “The ongoing economic hardships will abate very soon and we shall…
Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has called on the youths of the state to refrain from participating in the planned nationwide hunger protest scheduled for August 1. The governor made this appeal on Wednesday during the Stakeholders Youth Engagement Summit held at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abakiliki. Governor Nwifuru emphasized his administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the youth to thrive. He highlighted the government’s focus on youth development through education, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship opportunities. “I am aware of the planned protest against hunger and bad governance scheduled to take place across the country, including Ebonyi…
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has donated 25kg bags of rice to 2,400 households in Bauchi State. This gesture was announced in a video shared by AIT on its X handle on Tuesday. The wife of Bauchi State Governor, Aisha Bala Muhammed, confirmed the First Lady’s donation, stating that each household also received N10,000 from her office. “Today, we are witnessing another milestone of food distribution to 2,400 people by the Renewed Hope Initiative, the foundation of the First Lady of Nigeria. Each beneficiary will receive a 25kg bag of rice and the sum of N10,000 from my…
The Ogun State House of Assembly has called on Nigerian youths to engage the government in constructive conversation rather than protests, emphasizing that the challenges facing Nigeria also affect other countries. Speaker Oludaisi Elemide made this appeal on Tuesday while addressing a motion on the planned protest, raised by the Minority Leader, Lukman Adeleye, under “matters of urgent public importance” during the plenary session. Elemide urged the youth to avoid actions detrimental to the peace and tranquillity in the state and the nation. He acknowledged that while it is the right of the youth to conduct peaceful protests, such actions…
Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, on Tuesday rejected a new office allocated to him by the Senate Service Committee, citing that it does not reflect his seniority and standing as a high-ranking senator. The lawmaker’s decision was communicated in a letter signed by his Chief Confidential Secretary, Yati Shuaibu Gawu. The letter reads: “I am directed to inform you that Distinguished Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume has rejected the allocation of office number 3.10 by the Committee. “This is because offices are traditionally allocated on a seniority basis. Sen Ndume is the most Senior Senator after Sen Ahmad Lawan and will…
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State has expressed its readiness for the upcoming local government elections. However, the party has declared that it will not support any illegal actions that could be used as a booby trap to nullify the election results if they do not favor the current government. In a statement signed by the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party voiced its support for the recent court order restraining the Kwara State Independent Electoral Commission (KWSIEC) from proceeding with the local government elections slated for September 21, 2024, pending the determination of the…
Elders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State have criticized Governor Douye Diri for accusing former Petroleum Minister (State), Chief Timipre Sylva, of sponsoring the hardship protest in the state. The APC elders pointed out that Sylva had recently urged Nigerian youths to support President Bola Tinubu and give him more time to address the country’s challenges. In a statement signed on Tuesday by its Secretary, Chief Clarkson Ayebaepreye, the APC Elders Forum stated that Sylva has always advocated for peace. The statement noted, “It was a day after Chief Sylva gave his plea that Douye Diri, whom…
The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced the arrest of 11 suspected internet fraudsters in the capital of Akwa Ibom State. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale disclosed this in a statement on Monday. He said the suspects, comprising nine males and two females, were intercepted and arrested along Ikpa Road following credible intelligence regarding their suspected fraudulent internet activities, lavish lifestyles, and naira-spraying at events in Uyo. According to the statement, the vehicles recovered from the suspects include: – A Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (registration number ABC 553 LD, Abuja) – A Toyota Camry…
Suspected bandits have attacked and kidnapped Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa, the Sarkin Gobir of Gatawa district, along with his son and five others on the Sokoto/Sabon Birni road. The State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ahmed Rufa’i, confirmed the incident, stating that special operatives from the Command are actively trailing the abductors. The elder son of the victim, Alhaji Isa Sarkin Gobir, also confirmed the abduction, explaining that the district head was ambushed at the Kwanar Maharba area while traveling from Sokoto to Sabon Birni town, the headquarters of the Sabon Birni local government area. According to him, the bandits,…
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has granted N50 million bail to His Royal Highness, Eze Cyprian Amadi Worensu, who is on trial for threatening the lives of retired Justice Adolphus Enebeli and his family. Justice Mohammed Turaki, delivering the ruling on the bail application, specified that the bail is conditional on two sureties. One surety must be a Director in the Civil Service at level 16, and the other a first-class traditional ruler, both of whom must be verified by the Head of Service. Justice Turaki also directed the court registrar to verify the residential addresses of both…
Ahead of the public protests scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 1, hoodlums in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, have violently attacked journalists, critically injuring Nigerian Tribune reporter Joseph Abasi-Abasi. The attackers also vandalized an 18-seater NUJ bus, which was transporting food items from the State Emergency Management Agency warehouse to the Ernest Etim Press Centre in Calabar. The incident occurred at about 10 a.m. In addition to injuring the journalists, the hoodlums assaulted the NUJ bus driver, Mr. Joseph Akpaenin, and NUJ auxiliary staff member, Mr. Saviour Ekpenyong. They managed to steal some of the food items…
Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has expressed concerns that the upcoming national protest could turn violent, endangering the poor, weak, and vulnerable in society. In a Tuesday morning broadcast to the people of Abia, Governor Otti appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and other community figures to counsel against violence. He advised Abian youths to exercise restraint and engage leaders with a charter of demands, assuring them that his administration will protect the people from harm and destruction. Otti acknowledged Nigerians’ right to protest against adverse conditions but warned that the good intentions of the original organizers could be undermined…
Activist Omoyele Sowore has lauded the Department of State Services (DSS) for its role in mobilizing Nigerians for the August 1 #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest. Sowore’s comments followed the DSS’s detention of @Mallam_jabeer, one of the key organizers of the upcoming protest. An X user, @n6oflife6, reported: “I just got a call from @Mallam_jabeer that he has been detained by the DSS. This young man is peaceful & has been law-abiding over his protest arrangements. Arresting him before August 1 makes no sense. Efforts are being made to get him released. Nigeria we hail thee.” In response, Sowore tweeted, “The @OfficialDSSNG is…