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Young Protesters Defy Police Warning, Stage Demonstrations Across Nigeria

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

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.

Appreciation Message from Brigadier General Ismaila Abdullahi (Rtd)

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

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

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

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

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago06 mins

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.

Atiku Criticizes Tinubu Government Over Failing Security and Ongoing Mass Killings

Atiku Criticizes Tinubu Over Insecurity, Mass Killings

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

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.

Gunmen Kill Two and Abduct 12 Passengers in Benue

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

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.”

Anambra: Labour Party Governorship Primaries Postponed Indefinitely

Anambra: Labour Party Postpones Governorship Primaries

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

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.

Alleged N1.9bn Fraud: Court Fixes May 15 for Trial of Works Ministry Director, Surveyor

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Apo, Abuja on Thursday, April 3, 2025 fixed May 15, 2025 for the trial of former Deputy Director, Highways, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, Augustine Ojo Olowoniyan, alongside a surveyor, Sulaiman Abdulkadir Muhammed of the Department of Highways and Planning. They duo is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on a three-count charge, bordering on diversion and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N1,936,961,649.00 (One billion, Nine Hundred and Thirty-six Million, Nine Hundred and Sixty-one Thousand, Six Hundred and Forty-nine Naira ). The fund was earmarked for the acquisition of titles for federal roads nationwide between March 4, 2019, and July 17, 2020, which the defendants allegedly converted to their personal use. At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to the first and second defendant, J.K. Kolawole and A.S.U. Garba, respectively reminded the court of pending applications of their clients and requested that the court admitted them to bail on liberal terms pending the determination of the case. In his objection, prosecution counsel, M.K Hussein drew the attention of the court to a counter-affidavit signed by Njoku Ekelechi, an investigator with the EFCC, accompanied with a written address, dated April 2, 2025 and urged the court to discontenance the bail application or impose bail terms and conditions that will ensure that the defendants appear in court for their trial. Justice Onwuegbuzie admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N800, 000,000 (Eight Hundred Million Naira) with two sureties in like sum, who must be civil servants that are resident in Abuja. The sureties must write an undertaking to produce the defendants in court as and when due. In addition, the defendants must submit their passports to the court which will be verified by the prosecution. The first defendant, Olowoniyan, who is standing another trial in the same court for an alleged N420million fraud was also admitted to another bail by the court in the sum of N400,000,000 (Four Hundred Million) with a surety in like sum, who must be a civil servant, resident in Abuja. The surety, the court held must write an undertaking to produce the defendant in court as and when due. In addition, the defendant must submit his passport with the court registrar. Both matters were adjourned till May 15, 2025 for trial.

Court Jails Man One Month for Non-declaration of $40,000 at Airport in Lagos

Our Reporters1 month ago1 month ago05 mins

Justice A.O.Owoeye of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 4, 2025, convicted and sentenced one Igboezue Emeka to one month imprisonment for money laundering. The convict was arrested on February 12, 2025 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos by operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, for false currency declaration to the tune of $40,000( Forty Thousand United States of America Dollars). The NCS had, on the same day, handed him over to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos for further investigations and prosecution. Consequently, he was arraigned on Friday on one-count charge bordering on money laundering. The charge reads: “That you, IGBOEZUE EMEKA, on or about the 12th day of February, 2025, at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, within the Lagos Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, failed to make a declaration of the sum of $40,000.00 USD (Forty Thousand United States Dollars) to the Nigerian Customs Service and thereby committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Section 3(3) of the Money Laundering Act, No. 14 of 2022 and punishable under Section 3 (5) of the same Act.” He pleaded guilty to the charge when it was read to him. Following his guilty plea, prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, called on Michael Olayemi, an operative of the EFCC, to review the facts of the case. Olayemi told the court about the events that led to the investigation of the defendant, saying “ At 1.20p.m. on February 12, 2025, we got an intelligence report from the Nigerian Customs Service that it intercepted the defendant with the monetary exhibit of the sum of $40,000. “Upon this, I detailed one of my team leads whom I supervise, Lanre Michael, to go and pick the individual and the exhibit from the Nigeria Customs at Murtala Mohammed Airport”, he said. Continuing, he said: “At about 4pm, he reported with the defendant, the monetary exhibit and the defendant’s international passport. The defendant was in possession of two phones with which he called his lawyer and relatives. “In the presence of his relatives, he volunteered his statement under words of caution, where he admitted that he was travelling via Qatar Air to Seoul, the capital of South Korea. “He also stated that he was accosted by Customs Officers, where he was asked if he had any currency on him to declare, to which he said “No “. In his further evidence, Olaremi told the court that “The statement warranted me to invite the personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogar Sadin John. “John, in his statement, said that when he accosted Igboezue, he claimed that he had no money. He, however, said he was skeptical. “Upon searching him, he found the money hidden in one of his shoes in his hand luggage.” He added that the monetary exhibit was registered with the exhibit keeper , while the suspect was served with an administrative bail. Omewa, thereafter, sought to tender the defendant’s statement and the monetary exhibit recovered from him. The Judge admitted the documents and marked them as exhibits. Justice Owoeye thereafter found Igboezue guilty and sentenced him to one month imprisonment, with effect from the date of his arrest on February 12, 2025.