Ajaokuta Steel Plant Can Create 10,000 Jobs For Nigerian Engineers – FG

 

The Federal Government’s focus is for the Ajaokuta Steel Plant to bounce back.

The Federal Government has expressed optimism that the Ajaokuta Steel Plant in Kogi can generate 10,000 jobs for Nigerian engineers, when it becomes operational.
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Mr Olamilekan Adegbite, made the announcement at a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

He said that if the Ajaokuta Steel Plant commenced operation, all the other steel rolling mills, in Katsina, Oshogbo and Jos would also commence operations.

The minister said that his main focus when he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari was on the Ajaokuta Steel Plant, to ensure that it bounced back but that his COVID-19 dashed his plans.

“There are 14 minerals that will be used in making steel, moving the minerals from different locations to Ajaokuta Steel Complex will create job opportunities for Nigerians.

“We will give licences to miners to mine and supply the steel company. This is another way of creating massive jobs.

“What will be more gratifying is getting equity partnership for Ajaokuta Steel Plant. It will be better rather than going into debt as government has no business in business.”

Adegbite said that the success recorded by Segilola, a Canadian mining investor, building a gold refinery in Osun was a big achievement for the Federal Government and the ministry.

“We did our best to protect the company when it had problems with some sectors, the state government and communities. We intervened to ensure the success of the partnership.”

The minister said that he had put measures in place to save N300 million dollars being spent annually on barite importation by Nigeria.

Two Armed Robbery Suspects Arrested In Shagamu (PHOTO)

 

Men of Ogun state police command in the early hours of Saturday, February 27, arrested two armed robbery suspects while operating at Shagamu interchange area of Lagos/Ibadan expressway.

The two suspects, Solomon Aghofure a 30 years old indigene of Delta state, and Emmanuel Mathew a 37 years old indigene of Abia State were arrested when the police patrol team of Shagamu division were on routine patrol of the expressway at about 1:30 am.

The suspects and their gang who have already positioned themselves at the interchange in readiness for attack on the commuter plying the road opened fire on the passing patrol team led by the DPO, CSP Okiki Agunbiade.

A statement released by the spokesperson of the state police command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, reads in part ”The team engaged them in shoot out at the end of which one of them sustained gun shot injuries and subsequently apprehended.

Other members of the gang escaped into the bush abandoning their operational vehicle. The bush was thoroughly combed from where the other suspect was also arrested.

A police corporal attached to the team also sustained gunshot injuries on his leg and was rushed to hospital for treatment. On interrogation, the suspects informed the police that they are five in number in their gang, they gave the names of others as Uche a.k.a two million, Arinze and Uzor.

They further revealed that the three escaped members of the gang are ex convicts who had served various jail terms in okitipupa Ondo state and Shagamu in Ogun state. It was after their prison term they formed the gang and recruited them.”

The statement adds that the state commissioner of police, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for discreet investigation.

He also directed that the escaped members of the gang must be hunted for and brought to justice. Oyeymi added that the police boss appealed to members of the public especially hospitals to quickly inform the police if anyone with gunshot injury is seen in their vicinity.

Zamfara Schoolgirls Regain Freedom From Bandits

 

The school girls who were abducted from the Government Secondary School in Jangebe, Zamfara State have regained their freedom.

The girls are currently in the palace of the Emir of Anka waiting for transportation to Gusau, the state capital where they are to meet with the state governor, Bello Matawalle.

On Friday, February 26, armed bandits stormed the school and abducted the students.

It is not certain if it is all or some of the girls that have been freed.

AGAIN!! Boko Haram Attack Travelers Along Maiduguri-Damaturu Highway, Kidnap Newly-Wed Bride, Others

 

Dozens of travelers, including a young man and his two relatives, were abducted in separate attacks launched by suspected Boko Haram insurgents along the Maiduguri/Damaturu highway.

It was gathered that the insurgents ambushed commercial vehicles plying the highway on Friday afternoon, February 26 and forced many passengers into the forests.

The abductions took place between Mainok and Jakana axis in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, around 3:30 pm.

One Wadzani Waxax said that his younger brother identified as Ijey as well as two relatives were among the travelers abducted during the attack.

A newly-wed bride and all the passengers in three vehicles, who accompanied her to Damaturu were also kidnapped by the insurgents.  According to a family source, only an elderly woman was left with instructions that the others have been kidnapped by the insurgents.

WAHALA!! Residents Retreat As Bandits Attack Sokoto Communities, Kill Four

 

Some communities in the eastern part of Sokoto state are deserted after armed bandits killed four persons and rustled several livestock.

Colonel Garba Moyi (Rtd), the state Commissioner for Carrier and Security Matters, who  confirmed the attacks, said three persons were killed at Bargaja village in Isa local government area while one was killed in a community under Sabon Birni local government.

It was gathered that the armed bandits invaded Bargaja around 2pm on Thursday, shooting sporadically. A resident, who spoke to Daily Trust said six persons were shot in the village, but only three died while the remaining three are currently receiving treatment in the hospitals.

A resident of Isa who identified himself as Surajo said that inhabitants of Bargaja, Tozai, Turba and Danzanke have all relocated to Isa town following series of attacks on their villages. “They don’t sleep in their places any more.

Only some of their men who have farmlands nearer to the village go back every morning to work on them and rush back to Isa town before sun set,” he said. Another resident, who sought for anonymity, said one person was killed on Friday at Adamawa village.

A resident identified as Malam Sanusi Gatawa told Daily Trust that Gatawa in Sabon Birni local government is now flooded with refugees from neighbouring villages including Makera, Dankura, Burkusuma, Kumaro, Garin Tunkiya, Zangon Malam and Asha Banza among others.

He stated that one Malam Bilya Idris otherwise known as Idi Gago was killed at Dankura village and Malam Abdulmajid Abdurrahman, Muhammadu Hatimu and Yazzid Sa’idu lost their lives during Zangon Malam’s attack some weeks ago.

However, the commissioner explained that the attacks were made by the splinter groups of those gangs that already embraced peace with the government and they were meant to rustled animals not to kill the villagers.

He explained that most of the people killed were either members of the vigilante group or those who lost their animals and decided to pursue the bandits.

“That is why we don’t encourage the villagers to engage them because we have our own ways of recovering whatever they have stolen.

We use their brothers who embraced peace to recover the animals and even their weapons as well as secure release of kidnapped victims,” he said.

He added that over 20 weapons had been recovered from the bandits while many captives have been freed.

Boko Haram Releases Video Of Children Undergoing Combat Training In A Camp

 

Boko Haram terrorists have released a new video showing children undergoing religious and combat training in a camp.

HumAngle reports that the images show relatively young children dressed in combat-style clothing and balaclava participating in martial arts training, weapon handling training, and religious education class.

At least two instructors and one child had what appeared to be the Zastava M21, likely captured from Cameroonian security forces.

The Zastava M21, built based on the Kalashnikov design, has appeared in previous pictures shared by Boko Haram factions or reported to have been recovered by security forces. Some children were also shown holding different Kalashnikov pattern assault rifles with under folding, side-folding and fixed wooden stocks.

A section of the 16 minutes and 40 seconds video in Hausa and Arabic showed religious education and indoctrination sessions.

HAPPY 99TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY TO EGYPT

HAPPY 99TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY TO EGYPT

We thank God for another year of celebration. We pray that you increase in strength and the infinite love of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that the light of God radiate and shine through the hearts of the people and the Nation experience growth like never before.

May you flourish like the Cedars of Lebanon, growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, waxing stronger and united with the love of Christ. May this anniversary bring forth increase on all sides and may the hand of God never depart from thee.

A special shout out to our esteemed followers in Egypt.

We love and celebrate you. 

God's Multiplied Blessings from Joshualoaded media.

UNTOLD TRUTH!! The ‘Real Story’ Behind The Davido And Chioma Breakup Rumour

 

One of the most talked-about relationships in the Nigerian entertainment space, Davido & Chioma might have hitten the rocks with the latest gists popping out.

Chioma has hit the top of Twitter trends in Nigeria in the early hours of today and it’s due to her relationship with celebrated music star, Davido.

In a video that made its way into the internet, Davido was seen with another lady holding her hands as they made a way out of a nightclub in America.

Apparently, it’s because of this video showing Davido stepping out with another lady that Chioma is mentioned tonight

Video Player

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See the photos below:

The said lady goes with the Instagram ID @myayafaii and she is said to be the ex of an American rapper too.

Check out her photos gotten from Instagram below:

However, the video of Davido and the said lady has sparked reactions from social media users and an Instagram blog, cutie_julls has shared insights on what really went wrong between Davido and Chioma.

Check out what he said below:

See Nigerians Reactions below:

If I Ever Leave 0, Make Water Carry Me Dy Go……………

Who Do You Think Is At Fault With This Explanation

Drop your comment

Nigerians Are Not Appreciative; I Was Ambushed 3 Times By Boko Haram – Buratai

 

Ex-Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd), on Saturday, said the effort to contain insurgents by the Army under his command was not appreciated by Nigerians.

The ex-Army boss spoke in Kuta, Osun State, at an interdenominational prayer organised for him by Olowu of Kuta, Oba Adekunle Oyelude, held in the Olowu’s palace.

Represented by two of his coursemates, Major Daniel Banjo (retd) and Wing Commander Mamman Yusuf (retd.), Buratai, who spoke through Banjo, said three times he was ambushed while battling insurgents.

He then assured the community of continued relationship and support even after exiting the Army.

“At the war front, many things happened and Nigerians are not appreciative. Three times I was ambushed and jumped into the bush with my men and engaged the insurgents. My relationship with Olowu of Kuta is divine,” Buratai said.

In his remarks, Olowu of Kuta, Oba Oyelude, said the people of the community would remain grateful to Buratai for the assistance he rendered towards the completion of a bridge linking the community to Ede.

Oba Oyelude said,

“For decades, several prominent political officeholders have tried to help us construct Ede/Kuta Bridge, but they could not, but on bringing the request before Lt. General Buratai, he granted it and ensure it was built.

“This is enough achievement for me as a monarch. The bridge is almost a hundred years and now the communities in this area have been linked and the villagers are now liberated.

“My support for the army was borne out of the fact that Buratai is a detribalised Nigerian and the most humane to serve as Army boss. The nation can only enjoy peace if we support the army to succeed in its quest to battle insecurity irrespective of who is in control.”

Prayers were offered for the ex-Army boss by Muslim and Christian clerics at the event attended by dignitaries from within and outside Osun State.

Do You Agree?? Any State Where Children Are Kidnapped Should Shut Down In Protest – Soyinka

 

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, on Saturday said henceforth, any state where the kidnapping of children takes place should shut down in protest against the act.

Soyinka also advised that other neighbouring states, as a matter of solidarity, should join the affected states to shut down.

The playwright spoke shortly after an award lecture and public presentation of his new book, ‘Chronicles of the happiest people on Earth,’ in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The programme was organised by the Association of Nigerian Authors, Ogun State chapter, in collaboration with the Abeokuta Club.

More than 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped on Friday in Zamfara, the latest of such attacks, while 27 students were also abducted in Kangara, Niger State, but released after over a week later.

The octogenarian playwright, who lamented that the government and security agencies had failed Nigerians, said he didn’t know what else to recommend as panacea to the nation’s “abnormal times.” Soyinka added that such abductions were unacceptable and “drastic, meaningful measures” must be taken in unison.

He said,

“I think we are reaching the point where, in any state, where any child is kidnapped, that state should shut down completely. And other states, in solidarity, should at least shut down some of their activities. It sounds extreme but, we don’t know what else one can propose at this particular time.Yes, life must go on but even those activities will generate and enhance our very existence.

“I think we have to take on a tonality of regrets, of the unacceptable, protestation and mobilisation on whatever level it is possible as a community of human beings. ‘We shouldn’t wait for an enemy, faceless, airborne, unpredictable enemy like COVID to make us shut down. In protest and as a statement of the unacceptable, we are shutting ourselves down until this situation is resolved.”

SSS Confirms The Arrest And Detention Of Ganduje’s Ex-Aide – Salihu Tanko-Yakasai

 

There were fears that Mr. Yakasai could also disappear into thin air just like another critic of government, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata.

Authorities of the State Security Services have confirmed that Salihu Tanko Yakasai, a former aide of Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje is in their custody.

The announcement follows heightened apprehension in the polity following the declaration by the Kano office of the SSS that it was not aware of the arrest of Mr. Yakasai, otherwise known as Dawisu on Twitter.

The whereabouts of Mr. Yakasai who was picked in a Gestapo style became a subject of controversy as the government initially kept mum on the arrest.

Commentators on social media feared that Mr. Yakasai could also disappear into thin air just like another critic of government, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata who was reportedly picked by state agents and his whereabouts remaining unknown 574 days after.

However, a statement by Peter Afunanya, SSS spokesman, on Saturday evening has now affirmed that the APC faithful-turned-critic is being held in their facility.

“This is to confirm that Salihu Tanko-Yakasai is with the Department of State Services. He is being investigated over issues beyond the expression of opinions in the social media as wrongly alleged by sections of the public,” the statement reads.

Mr. Yakasai had called for the resignation of the President Muhammadu Buhari led APC government over gross breakdown of security in the wake of the abduction of over 300 female students of Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe in Zamfara.

The tweet that triggered government’s swoop on Mr. Yakasai read: “Clearly, we as APC government, at all levels, have failed Nigerians in the number 1 duty we were elected to do which is to secure lives & properties. Not a single day goes by without some sort of insecurity in this land. This is a shame! Deal with terrorists decisively or resign.”

341 New COVID-19 Cases, 712 Discharged And 3 Deaths On February 27

 

On the 27th of February 2021, 341 new confirmed cases and 3 deaths were recorded in Nigeria.

Till date, 155417 cases have been confirmed, 133,256 cases have been discharged and 1905 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The 341 new cases are reported from 21 states- Lagos (96), Rivers (41), Kaduna (33), Edo (21), Osun (20), Akwa Ibom (17), FCT (17), Ondo (15), Gombe (11), Kano (11), Imo (10), Ekiti (9), Kebbi (9), Kwara (cool, Oyo (cool, Borno (6), Enugu (3), Plateau (3), Delta (1), Niger (1) and Ogun (1).

A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities.

JUST IN: Kwara Govt Approves Use Of Hijab In Public Schools

 

The Kwara State Government has approved the use of hijab in public schools.

Mamma Sabah Jibril, Secretary to the State Government, announced the decision in a statement Thursday night.

He expressed that the administration consulted widely with Muslim and Christian communities with a view to clarifying issues and reaching a consensus.

Recall that the government, last Friday, directed the temporary closure of 10 secondary schools in Ilorin, the state capital, pending the resolution of the controversy on the use of hijab.

At the meetings held with government, leaders of the Christian and Muslim communities refused to shift ground.

However, on Thursday, the government stated that it has considered submissions of all major interest groups, the education law of Kwara State, the prevailing court judgments and current global trends of multiculturalism.

Consequently, the government thereby acknowledges and approves the right of the Muslim schoolgirl to wear the hijab.

Missing Penalty In Training Is A Revival Point For Aubameyang – Arteta

 

The striker endured a slow start to 2020-21 but netted twice as Arsenal beat Benfica in the Europa League, and his manager is full of praise

Mikel Arteta says Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was never in “a sad mode” despite his run of games without a goal, although the Arsenal striker was “upset” by his poor form and was always determined to rediscover his scoring touch to help the Gunners.

Aubameyang endured a slow start to the season, netting just three times in the Premier League before Christmas as Arsenal plummeted close to the relegation places, however, he has started to look like his old self and netted a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over Leeds earlier this month.

The 31-year-old was on the mark again on Thursday night, scoring twice, including a late winner, as Arsenal beat Benfica 3-2 to reach the Europa League last 16, and Arteta has praised his player for always working hard even when the goals would not come.

What did Arteta say?

Arteta said of Aubameyang: “He is getting into much better positions, his rhythm during the games is much better with and without the ball, his movement.

“The week before when we played Benfica, he had three big chances and I am not worried about him missing them because I know if he gets in those positions, he is going to be scoring consistently so this is what he has to demand of himself. If we have Auba at his best, as a team we obviously have a much better chance to be successful.”

How did a missed penalty help?

Arteta admitted Aubameyang had been getting upset and frustrated with his lack of goals, but that he never lost his desire to rediscover his form. The manager pointed to a penalty missed by the striker in training as an example of his strong will and attitude.

He said: “Sometimes when you go through difficult moments, you can have those difficult moments and get into a sad mode and I think that’s the worst thing you can do, because nobody has to feel sorry for themselves when you’re having those moments.

“What you have to do is get upset, get angry, work harder and approach the situation and face it. Face the challenge in a way that creates more motivation and more hunger to do it and I think in recent weeks I’ve seen that reaction.

“For example, in a training session before we played here he missed a penalty and he was really upset. Instead of going sad, he got upset and I said to the coaching staff that I like that, and that he would be fine tomorrow. When you have that mentality, I think that’s the right way to approach it.”

What next for Arsenal?

Having reached the next round of the Europa League, Arsenal will discover their next opponents when the draw is made on Friday lunchtime.

The Gunners are next in action on Sunday lunchtime when they travel to Leicester in the Premier League.

@GOAL

Teenage Girl Nearly Tears Off Grandfather’s Penis After He Tried Raping Her

 

This is one of the most interesting news out there, as a 49-year-old grandfather has been arrested after being warded off by his 14-year-old granddaughter who he reportedly tried to rape.

B-Metro reported that the incident occurred at Bhekani Line in Ntabazinduna, Matabeleland North Province of Zimbabwe on February 8 around 3 PM.

It was learnt that after the randy grandfather barged into the girl’s room he grabbed her, started fondling her breast and stripped her naked.

The girl however fought back by grabbing his testicles, got a firm grip on it and squeezed it so hard that the man became powerless and ended up screaming for help and begging for mercy.

After warding off her grandfather’s attempt to rape her, the girl left him on the floor and went out to seek help.

She reportedly went to her grandmother’s sleeping quarters and told her what had happened.

The man who has now been arrested has been arraigned before Bulawayo magistrate Nomasiko Ndlovu who remanded him in custody till April 23.

My Dad Used To Work At A Fast-Food Restaurant Before He Became Rich – Davido

 

Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, alias Davido, has said that his dad used to work at a fast-food restaurant before he became rich.

This reflection happened during his NPR Tiny Desk performance where he talked about his father’s humble beginnings as a fast-food manager in the United States.

In his words:

”The inspiration for me has been my father, a Nigerian-American like me. He studied in the States. I studied there myself. I went to HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), a predominantly black college. My dad went to one as well. He used to work at Burger King. He was a manager at Burger King.”

Watch the video of the performance below:

Could This Be Possible? Buhari Vows To Deal With Bandits

 

Nigerian’s sitting President, Muhammadu Buhari has warned against ethnic profiling of criminals, assuring Nigerians that his government will continue to deal with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals who constitute a threat to innocent citizens.

The president, who spoke while declaring open a meeting of the 19 Northern Governors and chairmen of the region’s Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs in Kaduna, stressed that, “criminals are criminals and must be dealt with accordingly without resulting to ethnic profiling.”

Daily Trust reports that the meeting was put together as a result of the security and socio-economic challenges bedeviling the region.

Those in attendance were representatives of the region at the National Assembly, the Director General of the DSS, IG of Police, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminences, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar as well as representatives of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Northern Elders Forum (NEF).

President Buhari, who was represented, by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, said his administration would confront the various dimensions of security challenges and continue to emancipate Nigerians from poverty and economic deprivation.

“The government shall continue to deal with insurgents, bandits kidnappers and other criminals who constitute a threat to innocent citizens across the country,” President Buhari said, adding that he has since tasked the new Service Chiefs to devise new strategies that will end the ugly security situation where lives of Nigerians continue to be threatened by hoodlums and criminals.

“It is pertinent to note that the increased realization of our security, democracy indices are inextricably linked. Democracy and rule of law promote stability and in turn reinforces the power to assert freedom and economic progress of our people. This thread of interconnection needs support of the Northern State Governors Forum and entire citizenry of the country as any amount of positive sacrifice would be beneficial in bringing about national development and security of our nation,” he further said.

Governors should synergise

While advocating for synergy between the Northern Governors Forum and other forums in other regions for the collective good of nation, he stressed the need for the regions to compare notes and peer-review one another to exchange ideas and adopt best practices for the good of the people they govern.

The president also urged the governors to discuss and devise ways of building stronger collaboration with the security architecture and the people in defeating criminality across the region and the nation at large.

He commended the Forum for de-escalate tension arising from clashes between herders and farmers adding that the efforts of the Forum in engaging all parties and supporting the efforts of the Federal Government has gone a long way in ameliorating the situation.

Could This Be Possible?

Police Funding: Senate Approves ₦1.3 Billion For Teargas, ₦10 Billion For Others

 

The Senate on Wednesday approved N11.3 billion (11,352,457,101.70) as the budget of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) for the 2020 fiscal year.

About N1.3 billion (1,362,814,243) of the amount was allocated for the procurement of teargas. About N1 billion was allocated for the procurement of arms and ammunition.

The approval was a sequel to the consideration and adoption of the harmonised report of the Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Police Affairs. The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Haliru Jika, presented the report.

See the breakdown of the budget below:

* Provision of specialised/operational vehicle double cabinet-pick-up van for patrol – N7,600,000,000

* Procurement of arms and ammunitions – N1,000,000,000

* Procurement of personnel protective gear (bullet proof vest and helmet) – N469,338,550

* Procurement of riot control equipment (teargas) – N1,362,814,243

* Provision of COVID-19 protection kit for police personnel – N358,379,191

* Supply of drugs and medical equipment for police hospitals – N533,894,117

* Office furniture and equipment – N29,031,000

Insecurity: There Won’t Be Any Amnesty For Bandits, Insurgents – Buhari

 A meeting of the Governors of the 19 Northern States, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, Chief of Staff to the President, Prof . Ibrahim Gambari, the Inspector -General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, Director General of the Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi , as well as the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, held in Kaduna on Thursday.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Saad Abubakar III led traditional rulers from all parts of the north to the meeting held at the Sir Kashim Ibrahim Government House.

Other attendees at the high powered meeting were northern lawmakers from both chambers of the National Assembly represented by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Ahmad Idris Wase, who stood in for the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, leaderships of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Northern Elders ’ Forum among others.

Governors of Kano , Kaduna, Katsina , Jigawa, Nasarawa, Yobe , Plateau , Sokoto and Kebbi States were present while others were represented by their deputies .

The essence of the meeting was to discuss the troubling security challenges occasioned by banditry and other related crimes as well as the almajirinci menace in the northern states.
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari( retd), through his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari , at the meeting , ruled out the possibility of negotiating with bandits , saying that his administration would continue to deal decisively with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers who had made life hellish for Nigerians.

Buhari also asked Nigerians to stop the ethnic profiling of criminals , adding that criminals should be treated as criminals . He noted that his administration would continue to deal decisively with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals who constitute a threat to innocent citizens across the country.

Buhari added that he had tasked the new service chiefs to device new strategies that would end the ugly situation where the lives of Nigerians were being threatened by hoodlums and criminals.

He said,

“ This meeting is coming at a time when the nation is making steady progress in addressing the many challenges impeding development and progress.

“ We are providing critical infrastructure such as roads , railways , airports among which are critical to economic prosperity of our people as well as opening up economic opportunities for our citizens to pursue legitimate aspirations that grow the economy.

“ At the same time, we are confronting the various dimensions of security challenges that continue to slow down the emancipation of our people from poverty and economic deprivation.

“ The Government shall continue to deal with insurgents, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals constitute innocent threat citizens across the country.

“ Criminals are criminals and should be dealt with accordingly without resorting to ethnic profiling.

 

Policemen Forget Phone In Student’s Car After Extorting Him Of ₦150K In Rivers

 

In a bizarre twist, some officers of the E-Crack Unit of the Rivers State Police Command have mistakenly forgot a phone in the car of a student of the University of Port Harcourt, UNIPORT, they forcefully extorted of N150,000

The student, who simply gave his name as Victor E, said he went out with two of his friends to get food for his sick girlfriend on February, 16 , 2021, around Rumualogu-Alakahia Car Wash axis of Obio-Akpor Local government area when the officers stopped him for a search of his vehicle.

He alleged that that the policemen subsequently seized his phone and that of his friends and later, threatened to take them to the office Economic Financial Crimes Commission or use machetes to butcher them if they refuse to yield to their demand for money.

According to him, after making them drive round some parts of the city, the police officers eventually forced them to go to an ATM machine where they made him to withdraw N120, 000 cash which is his bank’s allowed maximum withdrawal for the day.

He added that he was compelled to transfer another N30, 000 to an account of belonging to one Udoh Favour, provided by the E-Crack Officers.

Victor, however, said luck ran out the policemen as one them forgot his phone in his car.

The student told journalists that he quickly switched the Tecno Torchlight phone, to stop the police officers from calling it, using it to trace him and to use it as an evidence against them.

He appealed to the new CP Eboka Friday to help him recover his money and bring the police officers to book.

But Joshualoaded gathered that the officers involved in the alleged extortion have been arrested.

While confirming the arrest, spokesperson for Rivers Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, said the ownership of the phone was traced to a police officer in the Command (names withheld).

He added that the owner of the phone and other officers with him during the alleged extortion have been summoned to the Command headquarters for investigation and would be made to pay back the money extorted from the student and face the law.

Our correspondent reports that this the perhaps the first case of extortion by police officers to be reported under the watch of the new CP Eboka Friday, who vowed not condone corruption and professional misconduct when he took over the command last week.

Court Orders Forfeiture Of All Okorocha’s Properties (Read Full Details)

 

The Imo State High Court in Owerri on Thursday ordered an interim forfeiture of all properties said to be illegally acquired by a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, while he was in office from 2011 to 2019.

Justice Fred Njemanze gave the order following an application brought by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Louis Alozie on behalf of the state government.

Some of the properties listed in the suit include the Eastern Palm University, Ogboko; the controversial Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments; IBC staff quarters said to have been illegally acquired for the purpose of Rochas Foundation College, Owerri; Magistrate Quarters among others.

The suit had Senator Okorocha’s wife, Nkechi, incorporated trustees of Rochas Foundation and Senator Okorocha himself as the first, second and third respondents against the attorney-general of the state.

Hoodlums Set Police Station Ablaze In Imo (Read Full Details)

 

A police station in Aboh Mbaise local government area of Imo state has been attacked and set ablaze by suspected hoodlums.

The incident which was confirmed in Owerri, by the Imo State Police Public Relations Officers, PPRO, Orlando Ikekwo, said there was no casualties.

He briefly said:

“Aboh MBAISE police station has been attacked, and razed down, no casualties no loss of arm.”

However, sources from the area told us that,

“Policemen on duty fled and some of them injured as they were taking cover, when they saw some boys with inflammable substance pouring it around the station.

“These boys did not enter inside the police station, the only thing they did was to set ablaze the station and drove away. This has caused tension in the area as people started running for their live.”

634 New COVID-19 Cases, 881 Discharged And 6 Deaths On February 25

 

On the 25th of February 2021, 634 new confirmed cases and 6 deaths were recorded in Nigeria.

Till date, 154476 cases have been confirmed, 131699 cases have been discharged and 1891 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The 634 new cases are reported from 22 states- Lagos (259), Osun (45), Edo(38), Ogun (35), FCT (33), Anambra (26), Imo (24), Ondo (24), Akwa Ibom (20), Plateau (20), Abia (19), Kaduna (19), Ebonyi (17), Borno (10), Rivers (10), Kano (9), Delta (cool, Kebbi (7), Nasarawa (4) Oyo (3), Enugu (2) and Ekiti (2).

A multi-sectoral national emergency operations centre (EOC), activated at Level 3, continues to coordinate the national response activities.

Lawyer Who Sued #EndSars Protesters Suspected Of Being A Counterfeit

 

Kenechukwu Okeke, who filed a criminal complaint before an Abuja Magistrates’ Court over the actions of 50 artists, celebrities and pastor during the October 2020 #EndSARS struggles has been alleged to be fake, going by his conduct in court.

SaharaReporters learnt that the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School and the Nigerian Bar Association had been contacted to authenticate Okeke’s legal status.

Activist, Deji Adeyanju, on behalf of the 50 persons in Okeke’s suit, had filed a case at the High Court and when the case was called for hearing today, it was stalled as the court held that Okeke should be ascertained with evidence if he was a lawyer.

At the hearing of the matter on Thursday, the case was called up and there were introductions by the applicant lead counsel, Samuel Ihenseksien and Okeke, who appeared as the first defendant, and as a counsel to himself.

The NBA Bwari Chairman, Bwari branch, Chukwuemeka Clement, also appeared in this case as amicus curea (a friend of the court).

SaharaReporters learnt that the NBA chairman and applicant’s counsel then applied for the court to inquire about the status of Okeke as a lawyer, after which all hell allegedly broke loose.

“He was visibly shaken as he was caught unawares. His right leg was moving uncontrollably as the judge ordered for further findings and for the NBA to formally join the matter and submit their enquiry to court,” a source said.

The case was adjourned to March 8, 2021, at which point Kenechukwu took off and wouldn’t grant an interview as he had promised.

The lawyer representing Deji Adeyanju and the 49 others, Samuel Ihenseksein, explained how Okeke was believed to be fake and why a verification letter was written to the law school and the NBA to confirm his status as a lawyer.

The defence counsel said, “The matter was adjourned to today for continuation of hearing and I was present in court and the NBA Chairman also put in an appearance because something of note came up. In a nutshell, we have had reasons before now to actually suspect that Okeke in different sessions and at different sessions held himself to be a lawyer.

“He has actually challenged so many celebrities and of note, he challenged Peter Okoye and so, we have had reasons to look at this critically. We know that there is a particular behaviour and his recent character which made us to verify if he was truly a lawyer.

“The court actually took it in good faith and ordered an inquiry. He was actually shaking and moving about and we now have a strong suspicion that he was not a lawyer. To confirm our fears, we have actually written to the Chief Registrar of the court. The one I have is the letter to the DG, Law School, to verify his status.”

GOOD NEWS?? Repentant Bandits Surrender Their Weapons In Zamfara (Photos)

 

Three notorious bandits, including Zakoa Buhari, the son of dreaded bandits kingpin, Tsoho Buhari, notoriously known as ‘Buharin Daji’ have repented and surrendered their weapons to the Zamfara State Government on Thursday, February 25.

The weapons surrendered to the government include AK-47 rifles, General Multipurpose Machine Gun (GPMG), Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG), and many ammunitions.

After taking an oath with the Holy Quran in the presence of top government officials, security operatives, and traditional rulers, the bandits laid down their arms, vowing not to return to banditry anymore.

Zamfara, like other North-West states, has in the last 10 years faced devastating attacks from armed bandits. In 2019, the state government entered a peace agreement with the gunmen.

See more photos below