FUEL PRICE HIKE: PDP BREAK SILENCE OVER FUEL PRICE HIKE BY TINUBU-LED GOVERNMENT

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the recent increase in fuel price to over N1,000 per litre, describing it as a “brutal assault” on Nigerians.

The party on Wednesday accused the Bola Tinubu-led federal government of being “anti-people” and “unconcerned” about the suffering of millions of Nigerians.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP lamented that the persistent increase in fuel price without regard for the people’s wellbeing is akin to “pushing Nigerians to the wall.”

The party noted that over 150 million Nigerians have sunk below the poverty line, businesses are collapsing daily, and the Naira is exchanging for over N1,600 to a Dollar, with high inflation and unemployment rates.

The party said, “There is practically no hope in sight under the current APC government policies as major multi-national companies continue to exit our country in droves in the face of ill-conceived and ill-implemented macro-economic policies.

“The admission by the APC-led Federal Government that it has handed the fate of Nigerians to oil racketeers in the name of free market economy further validates the position of the PDP that the Tinubu-led administration has abdicated the primary purpose of government; which is to provide for the welfare and security of the citizens.

“President Tinubu is the Minister of Petroleum Resources and cannot exonerate his government and officials from the secretive and fraudulent management of the petroleum sector which is fast pushing our nation’s economy to the precipice.”

It further said, “APC has now become an enabler of a cabal of corrupt APC rent-seekers who apparently derive pleasure in inflicting pains on Nigerians while hugely benefiting from the proceeds of incessant increase in fuel price to satisfy and fund their luxury appetite and consumption.

“With the hopeless state of affairs of our nation today, our Party wonders what President Tinubu, during his numerous trips abroad, says to his foreign counterparts in nations where leaders prioritize the welfare of their people!”

“With a deft, transparent and innovative management of resources, economic potentials, comparative advantage and national refining capacity, petrol should not sell more than N250 per litre in Nigeria.

“The PDP calls on President Tinubu to save the country from further socio-economic dislocation by immediately reversing the latest provocative increase in fuel price and revisit all life-discounting and suffocating policies of the APC government,” PDP added.

DANGOTE REFINERY: TIME TO DISMANTLE YOUR DEPOTS, SELL THEM AS SCRAPS – OTEDOLA TO OIL IMPORTERS

   Otedola

Billionaire business mogul, Femi Otedola, has told owners of oil depots in the country to dismantle their depots and sell them as scrap.

Otedola said this following the announcement earlier on Tuesday that Dangote Refinery is now fully ready to churn out petroleum products, including the Premium Motor Spirit also known as petrol across the country.

News reports have it that the President of Dangote Refinery, Aliko Dangote, on Tuesday announced the rollout of Petrol from his 650,000 barrels per day.

He had in an earlier report said that the Petrol from the refinery will be available in the Nigerian market in 48 hours depending on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

Otedola, in a post on X, said the development has practically put an end to the business of fuel importers in the country.

“..You have not just built a refinery; you have liberated us from the chains of economic dependence that have held this nation back for far too long,” he wrote.

“Now, with your refinery in full swing…the depot owners should take heed—it’s time to dismantle those depots and sell them as scrap while the market is still high.

“The world has changed, and those who do not adapt will be left behind.”

PSG STAR, ACHRAF HAKIMI’S WIFE DEMANDS Half Of HIS PROPERTY IN DIVORCE SUIT, BUT THE FOOTBALL PLAYER REGISTERED EVERYTHING IN MOTHER'S NAME

Paris Saint-German defender, Achraf Hakimi left his wife, Hiba Abouk, empty-handed and without any alimony following a divorce application she filed over allegations of infidelity.

She approached the court to seek the dissolution of their marriage and demanded half the football star’s property in divorce settlement, however, it was discovered that he had no assets.

Hakimi had registered all his properties and assets under his mother, Sadia Mouth’s name, so legally, he is not worth a dime on paper.

When Abouk, 36, took her 24-year-old husband to court, she expected to get an equal share of his €70 million upon separation, but she was informed that documents showed his assets all belong to his mum.

According to Stades Football Club; “Ashraf Hakimi’s wife had taken the court for a divorce case and wanted them to separate the assets and divide them in court.

When the divorce took place and they agreed to share the assets, they realized Ashraf Hakimi had no assets and neither did the bank. Ashraf Hakimi had put all his fortune in his mother’s name a long time ago.”

Paris Saint-German defender, Achraf Hakimi left his wife, Hiba Abouk, empty-handed and without any alimony following a divorce application she filed over allegations of infidelity.

She approached the court to seek the dissolution of their marriage and demanded half the football star’s property in divorce settlement, however, it was discovered that he had no assets.

Hakimi had registered all his properties and assets under his mother, Sadia Mouth’s name, so legally, he is not worth a dime on paper. He has no property, cars, houses, Jewelry or even clothes in his name.

When Abouk, 36, took her 24-year-old husband to court, she expected to get an equal share of his €70 million upon separation, but she was informed that documents showed his assets all belong to his mum. Anytime, he wants anything, he asks his mother who buys it for him.

According to Stades Football Club; “Ashraf Hakimi’s wife had taken the court for a divorce case and wanted them to separate the assets and divide them in court.

When the divorce took place and they agreed to share the assets, they realized Ashraf Hakimi had no assets and neither did the bank. Ashraf Hakimi had put all his fortune in his mother’s name a long time ago.”

Hakimi who receives €1 million monthly started dating his wife in 2018 when he was 19 years and she was 31.

The star defender had earlier been accused of raping a woman he invited to his matrimonial home when his wife and the family were in Dubai.

The Morocco International is currently under investigation over the allegation.

ZAMFARA GOVERNMENT DONATES SECURITY VEHICLES TO NIGER REPUBLIC TO FIGHT BANDITRY

The Zamfara State government has donated five new Hilux vehicles to the Government of the Niger Republic for special security border patrol.
This was contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Saturday and signed by the Press Secretary to Governor Bello Matawalle, Jamilu Birnin-Magaji.

Birnin-Magaji said the donation was in fulfilment of a pledge by Matawalle to support the country with patrol vehicles and other security logistics in the fight against banditry.
“The vehicles were presented by Governor Matawalle to the Governor of Maradi Region, Alhaji Abubakar Shu’aibou, at a ceremony held at Government House, Gusau.”

The governor said the vehicles were to provide special border patrol at Maradi and other parts of the Niger Republic which share borders with Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto.
Responding, the governor of Maradi Region, Shu’aibou, assured Matawalle that the vehicles will be used to fight bandits and “other heinous crimes, particularly along the Maradi border.”

In December 2021, Matawalle visited President Mohamed Bazoum of the Niger Republic in Niamey, where the two leaders resolved to explore more areas of cooperation.

HUSH PUPPI STEALS OVER $400,000 BY SCAMMING US GOVERNMENT, CITIZENS FROM INSIDE AMERICAN PRISON — JOURNALIST CLAIMS, CITING NEW COURT DOCUMENT

A few years ago, the internet was awash with news that popular Gucci millionaire and Instagram influencer Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, aka Hushpuppi, was arrested in the UAE for fraud and extradited to the US.

Well, he’s at it again. This time, right behind bars. US prosecutors presented documents before the United States District Court of California on Wednesday with fresh evidence indicting Hushpuppi of committing fraud and money laundering in a US federal correctional facility.

In court documents obtained from the US Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Central District of California, Hushpuppi, while in a US federal correctional facility, participated in the purchase and laundering of Economic Impact Payment (EIP) debit cards fraudulently obtained from compromised data of US citizens and residents.

EIPs are financial support offered by the US government to residents according to the CARES Act. It is also called stimulus package or stimulus check. One of the ways eligible US residents obtain their EIP is by debit cards. From the documents presented in court, it was found that hackers use data of US residents to file and obtain those debit cards. They sell off these EIP cards in underground marketplaces to other cybercriminals.

US prosecutors said Hushpuppi’s recent frequent internet usage triggered a red flag and they monitored and recorded his internet activity. The court document read:

Security alerts on Abbas’ activities

• Inmates in correctional facilities across the US are allowed certain activities which includes access to phone calls, video calls, the internet, and computers with limited and regulated usage
• Inmates have constitutional rights to their privacy. Phone calls from correctional facilities by inmates are not recorded except when necessary and a warrant is obtained for this purpose. Inmates’ internet activities are not logged or recorded except when necessary and a warrant is obtained for this purpose.
• Abbas was also allowed these privileges like every other inmate.
• Between 28th January 2022 and 4th March 2022, security officers at the US Federal correctional facility, Central District of California, observed more frequent usage of the internet by Abbas. With the knowledge that the crimes Abbas committed which he is being charged for are all internet related crimes, security officers were concerned and informed the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
• On 7th March 2022, investigators obtained a federal search warrant, issued by Central District of California, to monitor and record Abbas’ internet activities.
• Security officers at the US Federal correctional facility, Central District of California, were instructed to setup a dedicated computer for Abbas. Any time Abbas requests for access to the internet, he should be given that dedicated computer. Only Abbas should be given that computer.
• From 7th March 2022 to 13th March 2022, investigators monitored and recorded Abbas’ internet activities. In this period, he requested internet access daily. He spent an average of 55 minutes for each session.
• During this period, we found out that Abbas was actively buying Economic Impact Payments debit cards from an underground cybercriminal marketplace where hackers sell EIP debit cards for Bitcoins.

The document went further to detail their shocking findings while recording Hushpuppi’s activities

EIP debit cards purchase and money laundering

• Investigators found out that Abbas uses an underground cybercriminal marketplace for hackers to sell EIP debit cards for Bitcoins.
• On the marketplace, hackers listed EIP debit cards with different balances. Investigators found EIP debit cards with $1,400 balance to as high as $8,000. These EIP cards were applied for by hackers using compromised and stolen data of US citizens and residents.
• Investigators found out that criminals can order a virtual option of EIP debit cards and receive it instantly. They use this for online purchases. Criminals can also order for the plastic version of EIP debit cards and they receive it to their mail address.
• Abbas bought between seven to 10 EIP debit cards daily for the period he was recorded. He purchased a total of 58 EIP debit cards in this period, with a total value of $429,800.
• Of the 58 EIP debit cards, Abbas chose the virtual card option for 36 EIP cards and he selected the plastic physical card option for 22 EIP cards.
• Abbas was in constant communication with one AJ. Abbas sent all the cards he bought from the marketplace to AJ. Abbas gave instructions to AJ on what to shop online. He gave instructions on what to do with the purchased items. Abbas also gave instructions on cash withdrawal from ATMs with the plastic cards.

In the document, the prosecutors mentioned Hushpuppi was constantly buying high-end gadgets such as iPhones, gaming consoles, MacBooks and iPads through his primary contact AJ. Investigators could not ascertain the total proceeds Hushpuppi has laundered from this fraud. Their recorded evidence was for a total of $429,800.

US prosecutors said they are on a mission to unmask the identity of Abbas’ accomplice AJ. They said they are also working with relevant authorities and bodies to take down the underground cybercriminal marketplace.

This story was written by journalist, Mathilde Salomé Bonnet

NIGER DELTA EX-MILITANT LEADER, TOMPOLO GIVES BUHARI 7-DAY ULTIMATUM TO INAUGURATE NDDC BOARD

Ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, on Sunday, gave the Nigerian government seven days to inaugurate the substantive Board of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The statement signed by Tompolo said: “I wish to call on Mr. President, members of the National Assembly and security agencies to work towards the constitution of the substantive board of the NDDC, within a few days, to avert a total breakdown of law and order that will equally affect crude oil exploration and exploitation activities in the region.

“It is against this background that I wish to call on Mr President, members of the National Assembly and Security Agencies to work towards the constitution of the substantive board of the NDDC within a few days to avert a total breakdown of law and order that will equally affect crude oil exploration and exploitation activities in the region.

“I hereby proclaim a seven- day ultimatum starting the date of this publication to inaugurate the substantive board of the Commission.”

He described the recent protest by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) as a preamble if his demands are ignored,

“Senator Akpabio's temporal reprieve from the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) protest is a child’s play compared to what is to come in a few days. He is about to be awakened to the rage of the Niger Delta region,” he said.

Describing the running of the NDDC as undemocratic, Tombolo said, “I have watched and observed with keen interest the circumstances surrounding the constitution of the NDDC board for some time now. I would have continued to keep watching and observing, but for love of the region and the country.

“The continuous running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by a sole administrator at the instance of the minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Akpabio, is undemocratic and anti-development, hence unacceptable to the people of the region. The people of the region are averse to a one man show in a commission that is supposed to attend to the developmental needs of nine states, namely, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. It will likely set the region on fire, sooner than later.

“The act establishing the commission provided among other things that it will be administered by a board comprising a Chairman, Managing Director, Executive Directors and Commissioners who will be drawn from the nine states that made up the region. However, this provision has been blatantly undermined by Senator Godswill Akpabio and his co-travellers in the Presidency. There is no provision for either interim management committee or sole administration in the act that establishes the NDDC. 

“Common sense will tell you that the so-called forensic audit that has been used by Senator Akpabio to strangle the commission could be best conducted with a substantive board that brings all representatives from the nine states and other parts of the country. As one from the region, Senator Akpabio's initial mission to audit past activities of the commission was seen as welcome development, but later the people realised that it was a personal mission to feather the next of his 2023 political ambition. Clearly, the present state of the commission is abnormal and could throw the relatively peaceful region in the country into chaos and acrimony.

“Undermining the very clear provisions in the establishing act under the guise of an endless forensic audit is evil, and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. It is in itself an act of corruption as the people of the region have lost so much resources in the process of the so-called forensic audit. No one can tell the amount of money that has been spent by Senator Akpabio in pursuing this divisive agenda. It is obvious that there will be another forensic audit to investigate the activities of Senator Akpabio by the time he let go of the commission. This is disheartening and worrisome.

“Senator Akpabio has refused to pay contractors even after evaluation of work done. He has selectively paid his cronies and those in the list of political patronage. It is an open secret that some contractors have been made to part with up to between 30% and 50% of the contract sum. I ask, where is the equity and probity of this sole administration?

“There is no way things will continue in this manner. I am surprised at the recent silence of highly placed persons from the region on this matter. Perhaps, Senator Akpabio is not alone in this NDDC abduction. This must be a product of high wired conspiracy among persons from the Presidency, National Assembly and Security Agencies to perpetually silence all well-meaning Nigerians in this strange deal. Senator Akpabio should know that it is time to end this barbaric act as it will be concertedly resisted in the days ahead."

JONATHAN'S EX-AIDE, AHMED GULAK, SHOT DEAD IN IMO STATE

A former presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, has been shot dead in Imo State on Sunday.

Sources said that he was ambushed while on his way to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo airport.

His motorcade was attacked at a place called Obiagwa, close to the Airport.

The former aide to ex-president Goodluck Jonathan was attacked in his vehicle – Camry – marked Texas BFT 2150.

The state Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, has already confirmed the development.

The CP said, “It is true but the 

details are sketchy. I am on the way to the airport. Please call the CP in charge of the Airport. He will give more details. You know that Imo command is different from Airport command.”

SIT-AT-HOME ORDER: SHOOTINGS RECORDED IN OWERRI AND ENVIRONS

Following the sit-at-home order by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), shootings have been recorded in some parts of Owerri and its environs.

Sporadic shootings were recorded late Friday night to early on Saturday morning at Naze Timber Market and its environs in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State on Friday between the hours of 8pm till 10pm.

The situation made it difficult for travellers on the Aba Expressway to reach their destinations on time.  

The same shooting continued on Saturday morning, when the sit-at-home order was to begin, at Egbu Road, Mbaise Road, Douglas Road by men of Nigeria Air Force, who were called out of their base by the authority.

There were also armed blockages by security agents at Chukwuma Nwoha, Egbu Road, Mbaise Road and some other roads in Owerri metropolis

Already the sit-at-home was gradually becoming effective as movements of people were being restricted, even by the security personnel, drafted to maintain peace, law and order.

The restrictions placed on people’s movements by the security agents run contrary to the position of the state government that citizens in the state should be protected to go about their normal businesses.

Reports filtering into our news room have it that people coming out for their normal business were being harassed and intimidated by the security personnel who kept shooting intermittently.

Shops and markets around Federal Housing Egbu Road and Mbaise Park were all closed by their owners at the time of filing this report.

AT LEAST SEVEN ESN MEMBERS KILLED AS SECURITY OPERATIVES RAID CAMP

No fewer than seven suspected armed members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), were killed on Thursday evening when a joint security team, raided the group’s camp located in a forest between Oyigbo and Eleme local government areas of Rivers State.

The joint security team, comprising of personnel of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had stormed the camp located in the forest along Pipelines Road Ogali/Kom-Kom boundary between Eleme and Oyigbo local government areas.

The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, said five persons, suspected to be operatives of the ESN were arrested during the operation, while arms and ammunition were recovered at the camp during the raid that took place at about 6:15pm on Thursday. 

The statement, which was signed by the Deputy Army Public Relations Officer, Lt. Colonel Charles Ekeocha, reads in part: “6 Division, in conjunction with Keystone, DSS and NSCDC led by Brigadier-General MD Danja conducted clearance/raid operations at suspected IPOB/ESN camp in Agbochia Forest along Pipelines Road Ogali/ Kom-Kom boundary between Eleme and Oyigbo local government areas of Rivers State.

“During the clearance/raid Operations, the team came in contact with the IPOB/ESN members. However, during the firefight, 7 x IPOB/ESN members were neutralized and 5 x suspects were arrested.

“Items recovered during the clearance/raid include: Communication gadgets, assorted cell phones, army uniforms arms and ammunition were also recovered.

“Also recovered from the camp two AK 47 rifles, two G3 rifles, one locally made machine gun and one G3 magazine. Also recovered were include three rounds of 7.62mm special,10 rounds 7.62mm , 51mm NATO, one cutlass, five Baofeng handheld radios with chargers and 10 black berets.”

IJAW YOUTHS IN DELTA, BAYELSA PROTEST AGAINST ABDUCTION OF IYC PRESIDENT, IGBIFA.

There was tension in Delta and Bayelsa and Delta states, yesterday, as Ijaw youths from both states protest to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over the abduction of National President of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC), Peter Igbifa.

Igbifa was reportedly abducted on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, Rivers States by unidentified gunmen, a few hours before the expiration of the 30-day ultimatum it issued to President Muhammadu Buhari to name a substantive board for the NDDC.

The IYC Worldwide and leaders of other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta had on April 25, 2021 given a 30-day ultimatum to the to the presidency to appoint a substantive board for be NDDC or face their fury.

They insisted on the desolation of the Interim Management Board, headed by a Sole Administrator, Effiong Akwa and appoint a substantive board, failing which they would shut down all oil installations in the region and cripple the country’s economy at the expiration of the ultimatum.

The protest, which was staged at the NDDC state offices along the Edjeba Road, Warri, Delta State and Yenezue-Gene area of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, disrupted vehicular and business activities for several hours.

Carrying placards with inscriptions as: Restructure Nigeria Now; IOCs Must Not Remit $1.6b To NDDC Now; We seek Justice In NDDC and FG Should Appoint Substantive Board For NDDC Now, they accused President Muhammadu Buhari of state-sponsored abduction of Igbifa.

They warned that the next protest on the issues and development concerns of the region would be a total and mass action. In a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting and signed by its Deputy President, Savior Olali, National Spokesman, Ebilade Ekerefe and others the group alleged that the presidency sponsored Igbifa’s abduction.

“Although his abduction came to us as a shock and provocative, we have since discovered that the Federal Government sponsored and executed the action. ”

“He and other National Executive members of IYC were invited to Abuja for a meeting with the Interim Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col. Milland Dixion Dikio (rtd.), before armed men with standard IWI Tavor rifles and Uzi sub-machine guns, abducted him.

The IYC condemned the abduction and urged the Federal Government to ensure that he was released unconditionally. Meanwhile, Ijaw youths also blocked the Mbiama-axis of the East West road in protest against Federal Government’s refusal to inaugurate a substantive board of the NDDC.The Guardian learnt that the youths shut down the Bayelsa State office of the NDDC, before proceeding to Mbiama.

SOLDIERS THREATEN TO SHOOT EFCC OFFICIALS, RECOVER PROPERTY SEIZED FROM NSA’s AIDE

Soldiers on Wednesday threatened to shoot officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission that came to mark properties seized from Brig. Gen Jafaru Mohammed, the Director of Finance and Administration at the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The EFCC had obtained an interim forfeiture from a Federal High Court in Abuja on March 11, 2021, and proceeded to mark eight properties belonging to the NSA’s aide.

Our correspondent, who visited Sun City in the Lokogoma area of Abuja on Wednesday, reported that after a team of EFCC officials began marking General Mohammed’s building located on 52 Main Street, Sun City, in red paint, armed soldiers arrived in a white Hilux marked GWA481EA and chased the EFCC officials away.

The soldiers took a bucket of water and soap and quickly cleaned off the markings which read, ‘EFCC Under Investigation, Keep Off!”

Our correspondent, who visited other properties linked to the general, observed that soldiers were on guard to prevent EFCC officials from marking them.

Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo had in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/007/2021 ordered the interim forfeiture of eight properties linked to General Mohammed who is a trusted aide to the NSA, Major General Babagana Moguno (retd.).

The investigation of Mohammed is part of a wider probe into the finances of the Office of the NSA.

 

Other properties affected include: A house at 7 God’s Own Estate, Road 1, Wamba District, a fenced plot at 1 Jubril Aminu Crescent, Katampe Extension, a plot at Kubwa Express Road directly opposite Abuja Model City Gate, A house at Block SD 22, Road 5, Kabusa Garden Estate, Abuja; Plot 15, 21st Crescent, Second Avenue, Gwarinpa, 3 Liverpool Close, Sun City Estate and 25 Osaka Street, Sun City.

The properties are believed to be worth billions of naira which far exceed the income of a brigadier general.

Reports had it that this is not the first time that EFCC officials would be harassed for trying to enforce court orders.

In November 2017, masked operatives attached to a former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Ekpenyong Ita, prevented EFCC officials from arresting him and even threatened to shoot journalists who attempted to take photographs.

The Spokesman for the EFCC, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said he was not aware but promised to call back.

BAYELSA STATE GOVERNOR CALLS FOR UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE OF IYC PRESIDENT , PETER IGBIFA

The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri has described the alleged abduction of the President of the Ijaw Youths Council IYC, Peter Igbifa as a direct affront on the Ijaw ethnic nationality.

Governor Diri, speaking at the weekly Executive Council meeting this Wednesday allayed fears that such dastardly act could worsen existing security challenges, just as he called for his immediate release.

The alleged kidnap of the president of the apex Ijaw youth body, Peter Igbifa rent the airwaves on Tuesday afternoon.

The IYC president was said to have been whisked away by unknown gunmen along the Port Harcourt International Airport on his way to Abuja.

Governor Douye Diri appealed for his unconditional release to ensure that the Peaceful disposition of the Niger Delta Region was not put in jeopardy.

The Governor called for peace, emphasizing that dialogue remained the best way of resolving conflicts.

This development is coming on the heels of the one month ultimatum to the Federal Government by the IYC over delays in constituting a substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC , which terminated on Tuesday this week.

Source: AIT NEWS

SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN KADUNA AGREE TO SPLIT INTO TWO NEW STATES

In a development that caught many unawares, the Christians, Non-Hausa/Fulani from the Southern part of Kaduna state and its rival Northern Muslim Hausa/Fulani dominated part of Northern Kaduna, have agreed for the split of Kaduna State into two new states.

Speaking during the presentation and defence of their memos at the Senate ad-hoc Committee and the House of Reps Special Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution at the Hassan Katsina House on Wednesday who has been engaged in infamous inter-ethnic and religious clashes for decades, said creating new states from the present Kaduna State will go a long way at solving the bloody violence that seemed to defy solution.

The President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Hon. Jonathan Asake, who defended the memo of Southern Kaduna people said: “The wish of Southern Kaduna is to have a brand new constitution, not an amended one,” he said.

“But in the absence of that, we are here to make our inputs as a people who have suffered suppression and oppression for a long time,” he said.

“Southern Kaduna is made up of 67 ethnic nationalities spread in 13 of the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Kaduna state. It has a landmass of 26,000kmsq with an estimated population of 5.1 million. We are endowed with an educated population and with abundant natural resources,” he said.

“Our land size is greater than that of Kano state which has a landmass of 20,000kmsq. Yet Kano is a state of its own with 44 LGAs. Our population is greater than 21 other states of the federation,” he went on. “We are demanding for the amendment of the provision of section 8 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which makes it almost an impossible task for the creation of a new state,” he insisted.

“We have been demanding for a state of our own for over thirty years and Gurara state was among the 18 states proposed in the 2014 Confab report,” he said.

“We are demanding for the creation of the Gurara state after the amendment. This will help in solving the incessant conflicts between our people and the other divide,” he said.

SOKAPU also asked for the removal of the Land Use Act from the Constitution and its amendment as a law, so that communities and families can have larger control of the ancestral lands.

“We stand by all the 2014 confab report which had captured most of our demands.

In the same vein, the Northern part of Kaduna State, under the aegis of Kaduna Development Elders Initiatives submitted a memo signed by the Senators Representing Kaduna North Senatorial Zone, Sen. Sulieman Abdu Kwari; the Senator Representing Kaduna Central Senatorial zone, Senator Uba Sani; all the House of Reps members from the Northern Part of Kaduna; all members of Kaduna state house of Assembly from the northern part of Kaduna their Chairmen of LGAs and Councillors.

Defending the memo of the group, Abdulkadir Ahmed said, “we are canvassing for the creation of New Kaduna state from the present Kaduna state and we want the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria amended to make this possible."

“Kaduna South has been complaining of marginalisation ever since, even though Chiefdoms have been given to them and they occupy 60% of the workforce of Kaduna state,” he added.

“Let the state be split and if they are asking for Gurara state, let them have it,” he said.

“This will solve all the crises we have been having in this state,” he added.

“On our part, we are asking for the creation of ‘New Kaduna State’, which will include Kaduna North and Kaduna Central Senatorial zones,” he said.

“But there should be a referendum for each section of the state to decide on where it wants to belong,” he added.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, who declared the meeting open, also asked for true Federalism, State Police and Financial Autonomy to Local Government Councils.

The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Kabiru Gaiya from Kano State, in his opening remarks assured all that each of the memos will be well looked into and submitted to the National Assembly for further actions.

Many groups and individuals also submitted memos as the sitting continues till Friday.

VETERAN ACTOR SADIQ DABA IS DDEAD

   Sadiq Daba 

Veteran Nollywood actor, Sadiq Daba, is dead. It was gathered that the actor died on Wednesday at about 8:30 pm. According to his close friend, Joe Odumakin, the actor had been ill for a while before his demise. She said, "We have lost Sadiq. It is so painful because I spoke to him a few days ago when his wife became a permanent secretary.  

However, I called his number some hours ago but his son picked it. I told him to give the phone to his father but he told me that his father is gone. I had to ask; gone to where?

ABDUCTED ZAMFARA SCHOOLGIRLS REGAIN FREEDOM

Schoolgirls kidnapped from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, in Talata Mafara Local Government Area of Zamfara State last Friday have regained their freedom.

Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, who confirmed the news on Tuesday, said the girls were released with the help of repentant bandits without any ransom paid.

The Governor put the number of girls recovered at 279, although the police had earlier said 317 girls were kidnapped.

The released girls arrived at the Zamfara State Government House in Gusau early on Tuesday wearing face masks and light blue and brown chadors.

The girls’ kidnapping on Friday was the latest in a series of school abductions that has rocked the country in the past three months.

74 ABDUCTED KAGARA STUDENTS, TEACHERS, OTHERS HAVE BEEN RELEASED

Barely four hours after the abducted passengers of Niger State Transport Authority were released, the 42 school children and teachers who were abducted in Government Science College Kagara, Niger State, yesterday set free by their abductors.

Government sources told revealed last night that the students were released from another location different from where the NSTA passengers were released.

It was learnt the same unnamed mediator who facilitated passengers of the NSTA was the same person who secured the release of the students  and teachers.

It was also gathered that the students were taken out of the location they were kept at about 8pm.

The students were abducted last Wednesday alongside three teachers and 12 other people from the college, totalling 42. While information on their release as of the time of filing this report was sketchy, it was learnt that well-armed security personnel have been mobilised to escort them back to Minna.

Earlier yesterday, the remaining 32 passengers of the Niger State Transport Authority, NSTA, abducted at Yakila in Rafi local government area of the state were released by the bandits.

40 of the passengers were abducted last week Sunday, while eight were released last Wednesday, leaving 32 of the abductees in the custody of their abductors.

A terse news flash from the chief press secretary to Niger State governor, Mary Noel-Berje, indicated the passengers were released about 3 pm yesterday.

“The Niger state government has secured the release of the abducted NSTA bus passengers. Government is intensifying efforts to also secure the release of the Kagara Government Science College, GSC  students, staff and their family members,” the statement stated.

The statement did not give further details, but findings revealed that they were released in the forest in Allawa bordering Birnin Gwari in Kaduna state and Zamfara state about 3.PM yesterday.

A source in Minna said that they were on their way from the forest as the state government had earlier dispatched four buses after receiving assurance of their release from the bandits through a mediator.

RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT AGREES TO IMPLEMENT FULL MINIMUM WAGE PAYMENT FOR CIVIL SERVANTS

The Government of Rivers State has stated that it has agreed with the Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), to address all pending labour concerns in the state.

The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, said that an agreement on the implementation of the National Minimum Wage of N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) which took effect on 1st January, 2020 has been executed.

The Secretary to the State Government disclosed this in a press statement after a meeting between State Government and Labour in Port Harcourt on Friday, 12th February, 2021.

According to the Secretary to the State Government, a Tripartite Committee to undertake detailed discussions of all outstanding issues has also been set up.

The SSG said, “Rivers State Government has agreed and commenced implementation of the payment of check-off dues and the payment of arrears of salaries of Health workers in the Rivers State Public Service who participated in the sympathy strike of 2017 under the auspices of JOHESU. 

“Other issues which were raised by Labour such as:  Need for payment of arrears  of minimum wage, Promotion of civil Servants from 2012, Payment of gratuity to pensioners, Payment of arrears of salaries to some civil servants who were not paid their February and March, 2016 salaries due to the aborted 2016 biometric verification exercise etc. 

According to the SSG, several other matters will be discussed in details by the tripartite committee.

“The tripartite committee is to commence sitting immediately for a period of six weeks after which a report will be submitted to the Government.

The meeting was attended by the Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Rufus Godwin, Esq. On the part of Labour Union were the Chairman of the State Labour Congress, Mrs Beatrice Itubo, Chairman of the Trade Union Congress, Pastor Jonah Austin, Chairman of the Joint Public Negotiating Council, Mr Emechita Chukwu and other labour leaders.

The tripartite committee will resume sitting next week.

FG, ORGANISED LABOUR TO DISCUSS PMS PRICE MODULATION, ELECTRICITY TARRIFF

Federal government and the organised labour are set to meet to discuss Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) price modulation and electricity tariff in the country.

The meeting, which should have held, but was postponed till February 22 2021, will examine the report by the technical committee set up on PMS pricing framework.

Minister of labour and employment Senator Chris Ngige while speaking during the recent submission of the report by the technical committee, stated that the committee was set up with a mandate to come up with a viable framework for PMS price modulation and electricity tariff.

He said the committee was mandated to examine the two policies respectively in relation to the demands of the organised labour unions.

The February 22nd meeting is a continuation of the series of meetings held in 2020 in a bid to persuade labour unions not to embark on industrial action over the increase in the price of petrol and electricity.

The minister said that the adjournment was to enable the representatives of organised labour subject the report to the analysis of their various organs.

“The Committee on Petroleum Pricing has finished its work and sent in the report. We have received and adopted the report,” he stressed.

Ngige also noted that the report of the technical committee on electricity tariff would be ready in a week’s time, and would also be reviewed alongside that of petroleum pricing on February 22, when the meeting would reconvene.

In his remark, NLC president Comrade Ayuba Wabba said that organised labour needed to do a broader consultation to come up with clear positions on what would be beneficial to both the Nigerian workers, and all Nigerians.

Wabba noted that the issues at stake touched on the life of every Nigerian.

According to Wabba, ”The whole essence of what we are arguing about is how to bring not only the price stability but also affordability.”

CBN ORDERS NIGERIAN BANKS TO CLOSE CRYPTOCURRENCY ACCOUNTS

The central bank of Nigeria, CBN,  has directed banks in the country to close all cryptocurrency-related accounts.

The Apex bank gave this directive in a statement on Friday.

The regulator prohibited all financial institutions from facilitating crypto currency payments in the country.

This directive is contained in a letter addressed to all Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs)and other financial institutions (OFIs) on Friday.

This regulatory directive was confirmed by Osita Nwanisobi, CBN spokesman.

According to the letter, signed by Bello Hassan, director of banking supervision, and Musa Jimoh, director, payments system of management department, the apex bank directed all

DMBs, NBFIs and OFIs to identify persons and entities transacting in, or, operating crypto currency exchanges within their systems to close such accounts immediately.

In the letter, the CBN referenced a circular it issued in January 12,2017 ref FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/06/010 which cautioned Deposit Money Banks (DMBs), Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFIs)and other financial institutions (OFIs) as well as members of the public on the risk associated with transactions of crypto currency.

“Further to earlier regulatory directives on the subject, the Bank hereby wishes to remind regulated institutions that dealing in cryptocurrencies or facilitating payments for cryptocurrency is prohibited,” the statement reads.

“Please note that breaches of this directive will attract severe regulatory sanctions. This letter is with immediate effect,” the bank concluded.

KANO HISBAH ARRESTS BARBER For GIVING CUSTOMERS HAIRCUTS THAT 'OFFEND' ISLAM

The Kano State Hisbah Corps has arrested a barber from Benue State, Elijah Ode, for allegedly giving his customers haircuts which offend the Islamic faith in the Sabongari area of the state.

It was learnt that the religious police force reportedly arraigned Ode on Tuesday and also had him remanded.

According to a Benue State activist, Smith Akoko, who first brought the matter to the attention of Nigerians, the barber, who is also a student, was arrested last Wednesday, after two of his customers were caught with hairstyles deemed blasphemous to the Islamic religion.

His cousin, Sunday Ukenya, who confirmed the incident to Akoko, said the Hisbah corps arraigned Elijah in court on Tuesday, February 2, and thereafter remanded him in prison.

It is not clear yet when his trial would resume.

Elijah Ode, a resident of Kano from Adum East, Obi Local Government Area of Benue State, who combines his barbing vocation with his studies, was accused by the Islamic police of committing blasphemy in the cause of his work as a barber.

According to eyewitnesses, Elijah, who is well patronised by young people for possessing exceptional skills in giving trendy haircuts, attracted the wrath of the extremists last Wednesday when two of his customers were tortured to stupour for having haircuts claimed to be blasphemous to the Islam.

Thereupon, Elijah was traced to his barbershop, where he was arrested for complicity, and put in police detention with the two customers last week.

According to information obtained from a family member, Ode did not design the hairstyles with the intention to provoke.

The source said, “He is only being innovative and to improve on his work, which he used to eke out a living for himself and pay his fees at his tertiary institution of study in Kano, where he sponsors himself.

“The case is already in the court of law at the wish of the aggrieved Muslims with the first session heard yesterday. But all efforts by the young barber's lawyer to bail him proved abortive because of the claim that it is a major case and therefore not bailable.

“At the moment, the family has run out of hope, soliciting intercessory prayers as the reality of incarceration stares Elijah in the face.”