National Police Day: Nigerian Government Celebrates Maiden Police Day With Grand Ceremony In Abuja

National Police Day: Nigerian Government Celebrates Maiden Police Day With Grand Ceremony In Abuja

The Nigerian Government marked its first-ever National Police Day with a grand ceremony in Abuja, celebrating the dedication and sacrifices of the nation’s police force. The event, held to honor the contributions of law enforcement officers, was attended by key government officials, security personnel, and citizens. During the ceremony, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu acknowledged the tireless work of the Nigerian Police Force in maintaining peace and security across the country. He commended the officers for their commitment to safeguarding lives and property, despite the many challenges they face in their line of duty. National Police Day aims to recognize and appreciate the hard work of the police force, as well as boost morale and inspire further dedication among officers. The day’s activities included awards and recognitions for outstanding police officers, showcasing the government’s support for their efforts. The event underscored the importance of law enforcement in ensuring national stability, with calls for continued reforms to strengthen the police force. The government reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the welfare, training, and capacity of police officers to better serve the Nigerian people.

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Abuja Protesters Flee for Safety as Police Fire Tear Gas During Demonstration

Abuja Protesters Flee for Safety as Police Fire Tear Gas During Demonstration

Protesters in Abuja were forced to flee for safety on Monday as the police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd participating in a demonstration in the Nigerian capital. The protest, which began peacefully, turned chaotic when security forces intervened, resulting in widespread panic among the demonstrators. The protesters had gathered to voice their concerns about national issues such as economic hardship, government policies, and social injustice. As the protest unfolded, police officers monitoring the scene began moving in to break up the demonstration. Without warning, tear gas was deployed, causing confusion and panic as the gas spread through the area. Protesters scrambled to escape the choking fumes, with many running in different directions to avoid the burning sensation in their eyes and throats. Witnesses reported that several people were affected by the gas, though no serious injuries were immediately reported. The demonstration, which had been peaceful at the start, was intended to highlight pressing issues such as Nigeria’s struggling economy and controversial government actions. However, the police’s response quickly turned the event into a tense and dangerous situation. The use of tear gas drew criticism from activists and human rights groups, who argued that the police’s heavy-handed approach was an overreaction to a peaceful protest. Despite the police’s efforts to disperse the crowd, some protesters attempted to regroup in other parts of the city, continuing to voice their frustrations. The intervention by law enforcement raised concerns about the right to peaceful assembly and the use of force by security agencies in handling public demonstrations. Critics of the police’s actions have called for more protection of citizens’ rights to express their views without fear of violent retaliation. In the aftermath of the protest, organizers vowed to continue their push for change, calling for increased public support and international attention to the issues raised. While the protest in Abuja was met with police resistance, it is part of a larger wave of discontent across the country, as Nigerians demand accountability from their government. The situation remains tense, and further demonstrations are expected in the coming days.

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Young Protesters Defy Police Warning, Stage Demonstrations Across Nigeria

Young Protesters Defy Police Warning, Stage Demonstrations Across Nigeria

On Monday, young demonstrators under the banner of the Take-It-Back Movement defied a police warning and held protests in several Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, and Rivers states. The protesters, identifiable by their signature orange berets, kicked off their rally in Lagos at the Ikeja Under Bridge. They marched through major roads in the state capital, chanting solidarity songs, all under the watchful eyes of police officers. The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had earlier urged the movement to call off its planned nationwide protests, calling the timing of the demonstrations “ill-conceived and mischievous.” In response, activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore swiftly rejected the police’s claims, asserting that the protest, which was scheduled for Monday, was not intended to disrupt the National Police Day celebrations. The Take-It-Back Movement protests often focus on broader issues rather than specific demands. The movement has been vocal in addressing concerns such as Nigeria’s economic state, the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, and other national issues. In Oyo State, the movement held a peaceful protest in Ibadan, the state capital, with security forces present to ensure the demonstration remained peaceful and orderly.

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Appreciation Message from Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (Rtd)

No One is Safe: Even Generals Must Pay Bandits for Freedom

Appreciation Message from Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (Rtd)Dated: 4th April 2025 On behalf of Brigadier General M.I. Tsiga, friends, colleagues, and associates, I, Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (Rtd), wish to express our deepest gratitude to all who stood by us during a most distressing period—the abduction and eventual release of General M.I. Tsiga. General Tsiga was forcibly taken from his residence in Tsiga Town, Bakori LGA, Katsina State, on the 5th of February 2025. From the moment we received the shocking news, Major General L.B. Bunza and I began collaborating closely to ensure his safe return. On the 9th of February 2025, we established a WhatsApp platform simply named “TSIGA” to keep the public informed and to mobilize support for the cause. When the abductors eventually demanded a ransom of ₦400,000,000, we made the difficult decision to appeal for donations through the platform. The response was nothing short of extraordinary. Over 300 patriotic Nigerians comprising retired and serving military officers, academics, ambassadors, businesspeople, and civilians from every walk of liferallied together in solidarity. To ensure full transparency and accountability, we agreed that all donations should be sent directly to General Tsiga’s Unity Bank account, which was promptly shared by his son, Kamal. Initially, I provided updates on incoming donations, but due to valid security concerns raised by some members, we halted public updates while maintaining accurate internal records. Between 22nd February and 15th March 2025, the generous outpouring of support reinforced one powerful truth: Together, we can. On behalf of General Tsiga and his family, I thank each and every one of you for your financial, moral, and spiritual support. Your compassion and unity were instrumental in securing his safe release. As I write this, on 4th April 2025, I feel a profound sense of fulfillment. Our collective effort has achieved its goal—General M.I. Tsiga is free. Thank you all. May God bless and protect you and your families. Signed:Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (Rtd)4 April 2025

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A Nigerian man has told the BBC how he managed to survive an attack on his hunting party that left 16 of his companions dead, and shocked the nation. The group of young men, mostly in their 20s, was travelling in the back of a truck when they were stopped by vigilantes. "They asked us to alight from the vehicle and without saying much, one of them hit our leader on the shoulder with an axe," Abubakar Shehu, 20, told BBC Pidgin. "Then they started beating us. I was able to dodge a couple of punches and tackles and ran as far as I could. "I fell into a ditch, got up and was able to hide in an unused property for many hours before coming out around 10pm," he said. While hiding, he could hear the shouts and cries of his friends as they were being beaten and then burnt to death. "I could hear all the noise from what has happening and I was scared for my life. Thankfully no-one saw me," Mr Shehu said. He then returned to the road, where he was able to stop a truck and the driver picked him up and took him to safety. Last week's gruesome attack on the group from northern Nigeria heightened tensions across the country. They had spent several weeks travelling in the south hunting wild animals to sell, and were going home to celebrate Eid. Amnesty International and other rights groups have called on the authorities to make sure justice is served. President Bola Tinubu also condemned the killings, saying that Nigerians had the right to move freely anywhere in the country. He ordered security agencies to find the killers, adding that "jungle justice" had no place in the country. Police say they have arrested 14 people in relation to the case and many across the country will be closely following to see how the case pans out. Relations between northern and southern Nigerians are fraught following years of clashes between northern animal herders and southern farmers over access to water and grazing land, which have left thousands dead. Along with the lack of security across Nigeria, this is one of the reasons why residents of Uromi town in Edo state, and many others, have set up vigilante groups. The hunters from the northern Kano state were armed with traditional rifles but they say they showed licences for these weapons when they were stopped by the vigilantes. For the family of the victims in Toronkawa village, the cries and mourning continue more than a week after the horrific incident. Adama Ali, the mother of one of the victims, is devastated. "I kept calling his phone but no-one was picking up," she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. Earlier this week, Edo state governor Monday Okpebholo visited his Kano counterpart to try and ease tensions. He also paid his condolences to the victims' families and promised them compensation. Having lost so many of its young men, the village is still in mourning as everyone knows the victims. Their families houses are full of guests paying their condolences. The chairman of the villages' hunters association, Mustapha Usman, said nothing would please them more than seeing justice served. Mr Shehu agrees. "I thank God for sparing my life and bringing me back home and I pray for those that lost their lives," he said.

How I Survived Uromi Attack That Killed My 16 Friends

A Nigerian man has told the BBC how he managed to survive an attack on his hunting party that left 16 of his companions dead, and shocked the nation. The group of young men, mostly in their 20s, was travelling in the back of a truck when they were stopped by vigilantes. “They asked us to alight from the vehicle and without saying much, one of them hit our leader on the shoulder with an axe,” Abubakar Shehu, 20, told BBC Pidgin. “Then they started beating us. I was able to dodge a couple of punches and tackles and ran as far as I could. “I fell into a ditch, got up and was able to hide in an unused property for many hours before coming out around 10pm,” he said. While hiding, he could hear the shouts and cries of his friends as they were being beaten and then burnt to death. “I could hear all the noise from what has happening and I was scared for my life. Thankfully no-one saw me,” Mr Shehu said. He then returned to the road, where he was able to stop a truck and the driver picked him up and took him to safety. Last week’s gruesome attack on the group from northern Nigeria heightened tensions across the country. They had spent several weeks travelling in the south hunting wild animals to sell, and were going home to celebrate Eid. Amnesty International and other rights groups have called on the authorities to make sure justice is served. President Bola Tinubu also condemned the killings, saying that Nigerians had the right to move freely anywhere in the country. He ordered security agencies to find the killers, adding that “jungle justice” had no place in the country. Police say they have arrested 14 people in relation to the case and many across the country will be closely following to see how the case pans out. Relations between northern and southern Nigerians are fraught following years of clashes between northern animal herders and southern farmers over access to water and grazing land, which have left thousands dead. Along with the lack of security across Nigeria, this is one of the reasons why residents of Uromi town in Edo state, and many others, have set up vigilante groups. The hunters from the northern Kano state were armed with traditional rifles but they say they showed licences for these weapons when they were stopped by the vigilantes. For the family of the victims in Toronkawa village, the cries and mourning continue more than a week after the horrific incident. Adama Ali, the mother of one of the victims, is devastated. “I kept calling his phone but no-one was picking up,” she said, tears rolling down her cheeks. Earlier this week, Edo state governor Monday Okpebholo visited his Kano counterpart to try and ease tensions. He also paid his condolences to the victims’ families and promised them compensation. Having lost so many of its young men, the village is still in mourning as everyone knows the victims. Their families houses are full of guests paying their condolences. The chairman of the villages’ hunters association, Mustapha Usman, said nothing would please them more than seeing justice served. Mr Shehu agrees. “I thank God for sparing my life and bringing me back home and I pray for those that lost their lives,” he said.

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Atiku Criticizes Tinubu Government Over Failing Security and Ongoing Mass Killings

Atiku Criticizes Tinubu Over Insecurity, Mass Killings

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has condemned President Bola Tinubu’s security policies, stating that the country’s security situation has deteriorated to the point where mass killings have become a tragic norm. He described the failures of the current administration’s security architecture as an ongoing nationwide crisis. Atiku expressed concern that the severity of the nation’s security problems has escalated to such an extent that many killings no longer make the headlines, emphasizing the grim reality of frequent bloodshed under the Tinubu-led government. “The failure of Bola Tinubu’s security architecture has become an endemic issue across the country, with repeated killings, many of which go unreported,” he said. He added that Nigerians are now forced to accept these atrocities as part of daily life, leading to widespread fear and despair. Atiku also extended his condolences to the victims of recent attacks, particularly those in Plateau State, where numerous lives have been lost in violent incidents. “Nigerians are now desensitized to the heartbreaking news of senseless killings, and I offer my deepest condolences to the grieving communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State, and the families affected,” he said. In a statement released on Friday, Atiku criticized the federal government’s lack of action, warning that without swift and decisive intervention, the country would continue its descent into lawlessness. He urged the Tinubu administration to overhaul the security architecture to better protect Nigerian citizens. “I call on the Tinubu-led federal government to urgently reconfigure its security framework to safeguard the lives and properties of our people,” he stated. SaharaReporters earlier reported that at least 10 people were killed in a series of violent attacks on Wednesday in five communities within Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State. These attacks occurred just six days after a similar attack in Ruwi community during a wake-keeping ceremony, which resulted in 10 deaths and several injuries. A statement from the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), signed by its chairman, Farmasum Fuddang, condemned the ongoing violence, highlighting the severe threat posed by terrorists trying to seize land and impose a caliphate. “In just one week, we have lost more than twenty members of our community due to these marauding terrorists, who are systematically engaging in ethnic and religious cleansing of five villages,” Fuddang stated.

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Gunmen Kill Two and Abduct 12 Passengers in Benue

Gunmen Kill Two and Abduct 12 Passengers in Benue

The management of Benue Links Nigeria Limited has said that gunmen attacked the company’s bus, killed the driver and one passenger and abducted 12 others. The company’s information officer, Johnson Ehi, disclosed this in a statement in Makurdi on Friday.The company is owned by the Benue State government. The statement explained that the bus, with registration number PP512, was travelling from Makurdi to Otukpo when the incident happened. According to Mr Ehi, the incident occurred on Thursday, near Otukpo Burnt Bricks. The management condemned the fatal attack in very strong terms. It stated, “Regrettably, the driver of the 18-seater bus, Mr Samuel Agege, and a front-seat passenger were fatally shot by the attackers. While the gunmen attempted to abduct the remaining passengers, three individuals managed to escape, and another passenger had disembarked earlier at Taraku Town before the incident. “The management extends its deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and stands in solidarity with those whose loved ones remain in captivity. We assure the general public that we are in constant communication with security agencies, who are making concerted efforts to rescue the abducted passengers. “We appreciate the swift response of the law enforcement agencies and express confidence in their ongoing efforts to rescue the victims.” When contacted, the Benue police command confirmed the incident. The state police public relations officer, Sewuese Anene, said, “The incident was reported but details would be made available later.”

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Anambra: Labour Party Governorship Primaries Postponed Indefinitely

Anambra: Labour Party Postpones Governorship Primaries

The Labour Party has announced the indefinite suspension of its Anambra 2025 governorship primary election, which was originally scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, April 5, 2025. The decision to postpone the primaries follows a landmark ruling from the Supreme Court on Friday afternoon, which effectively removed Julius Abure as the national chairman of the Labour Party. The court also ordered Abure and his executive team to vacate the party’s national secretariat and all other positions held at various levels. In an exclusive interview with The Guardian on Friday afternoon in Awka, the acting chairman of the Labour Party in Anambra State, Comrade Peter Okoye, confirmed that the governorship primary slated for April 5, 2025, will no longer proceed. He explained that, based on the Supreme Court’s verdict, any primary election conducted under the leadership of Abure’s team would be considered invalid. Okoye emphasized that only the new leadership, under Senator Nenadi Usman, would oversee the party’s affairs moving forward. “The Supreme Court’s verdict this afternoon makes it clear that any election conducted by the current executive team will not stand,” Okoye stated. “The new leadership, along with Senator Usman, will immediately take control of the National Secretariat and other structures across the country.” Okoye also disclosed that a meeting of the acting Anambra State executive has been scheduled for Saturday to discuss the next steps and to brief the national secretariat on the developments. He assured party members and supporters that despite the setbacks, the Labour Party remains steadfast in its commitment to the people of Anambra State and beyond. “Despite the challenges, the Labour Party remains the fastest-growing political force in Nigeria, particularly in Anambra State,” Okoye affirmed. He urged members to remain resolute and vigilant, awaiting further directives from the national leadership. While the situation remains fluid, Okoye reassured the party’s supporters that the internal issues would be addressed and normalcy would be restored soon.

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