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Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email US special forces rescued an American citizen in an operation on Saturday in northern  Nigeria  that is believed to have killed several of his captors, US officials said. Forces including US navy Seals rescued Philip Walton, 27, who was abducted on Tuesday from his home in neighboring southern  Niger , two US officials said on condition of anonymity, adding that no US troops were hurt. A diplomatic source in  Niger  said Walton was now at the US ambassador’s residence in Niamey. “Big win for our very elite US special forces today,” Donald Trump wrote on Twitter. The Pentagon confirmed the operation but did not provide the identity of the hostage

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has asked the personnel of the force to protect themselves against attacks. He said the men and officers have the right to defend themselves in case of physical danger. He said this on Friday during an assessment tour of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Abuja, where he also encouraged the operatives who had abandoned the streets for the past five days following the killing of over 20 policemen in the violence that rocked the country.. Adamu alleged that the #EndSARS protesters were out to demoralise the personnel, adding that the government and the Nigeria Police Force would soon roll out packages for the families of the deceased officers. “The unity of this country lies in the support that is given to police officers because if you are demoralised, the tendency is for criminals to take over the public space and the country is relying on us to make sure that the public space is not taken over by the criminals. So no amount o...

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has signed an executive order to reinforce the ban on Indigenous Peoples Organization of Biafra (IPOB) and its activities in the State. The Governor maintained that while Rivers State remains the home to all tribes and ethnic nationalities, the State government is opposed to the presence and activities of the legally proscribed and anarchic IPOB and whatever it stands for in Rivers State. Governor Wike, in a state wide broadcast on Wednesday night, said while the Government acknowledge and appreciate the enormous contributions from non-indigenes to the political, social and economic development of the State, it will neither accept nor allow any individual or group from within and outside to violate the peace, endanger lives and property under any guise in the State. “And so, let it be understood that we have nothing against all or any specific tribe and will continue to live in peace with people of all other tribal extractions residing or doin...

#EndSARS Protest: Youths Ministry, Waste Management Board clean up Edo streets By Idris Momoh on October 24, 2020 The Edo State Ministry of Youths and the State Waste Management Board have embarked on a cleanup exercise of streets in Benin City and other major towns across the state after the #ENDSARS protests. Commissioner for Youths, Hon. Damian Lawani, who led some youths in the clean-up exercise, said their action became necessary in an effort to rid the streets of rubbles and debris as normalcy is gradually returning to the state. He added that the state government supports the protests by youths to demand for justice and equity across the country, but was against the destruction of critical public assets. On his part, General Manager of Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr. Imariagbe Charles Osadebamwen and some waste managers have partnered in keeping the city centre clean, amid the destructions of public and private assets in the wake of the hijack of the #ENDSARS protests by h...

The Edo State Government has said that the government warehouse breached in Medical Stores Road, Benin City, storing palliatives materials and medical supplies, served as a strategic reserve to mitigate eventualities in the state. In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said upon receipt of relief materials, there has been an ongoing process of distribution for the past seven months to the vulnerable and poor population to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 crisis in the state. Explaining that the vandalised warehouse stored some strategic medical assets, he said the items looted include vaccines, high-end equipment and other supplies. He noted that the government has distributed most of the palliative materials sent to the state and what was stored at the warehouse, which has now been breached in Medical Stores Road, was strategic to mitigate eventualities. According to him, "It is unfortunate that critical medical ...

Rivers State government in line with the proscription order of the federal government, has reinforced a ban on activities of Indigenous Peoples Organization of Biafra (IPOB) in the State Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in a state wide broadcast reinforcing the proscription of IPOB in the State on Friday, said no form of procession or agitation by the group or any of its affiliates is allowed to take place in the State hence forth. He explained that State government reached this  firm conclusion having observed that the activities of the banned IPOB are not just dangerous to lives and property, but also constitute clear and present threat to the existential interest and aspirations of Rivers State and all her people. “Security agencies are hereby directed to stop any form of procession or agitation by IPOB in Rivers State or any part thereof and arrest and prosecute any person or group that identifies with the membership or activities of IPOB in the State; Government w...

ICPC docks House of Rep Member, representing ESTAKOR FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY Hon. Johnson Egwakhide Oghuma over N1.6m Bribe A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Oghuma Johnson Egwakhide, has been charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), for collecting N1.6 million bribe from three contractors. ICPC, in a four-count charge, filed before Justice Adebukola Banjoko, of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jabi, said the member who represents Etsako East/West/Central Federal Constituency, Edo State, in the National Assembly, allegedly collected kickbacks from contractors handling school projects in the state. The charge sheet revealed that Egwakhide, who had sponsored the construction of one block of three classrooms at Fugar Mixed Secondary School, Etsako Central Local Government Area, as part of his constituency project in 2018, demanded for kickbacks of 10 percent from the N16.5 million contract sum. He w...

Fellow Nigerians, It has become necessary for me to address you having heard from  many concerned Nigerians and having concluded a meeting with all the  Security Chiefs. 2. I must warn those who have hijacked and misdirected the initial,  genuine and well - intended protest of some of our youths in parts of  the country, against the excesses of some members of the now disbanded  Special Anti-Robery Squad (SARS). 3. On Monday 12th October, I acknowledged the genuine concerns and  agitations of members of the public regarding the excessive use of force  by some members of SARS. 4. The choice to demonstrate peacefully is a fundamental right of  citizens as enshrined in Section 40 of our Constitution and other  enactments; but this right to protest also imposes on the demonstrators  the responsibility to respect the rights of other citizens, and the  necessity to operate within the law. 5. As a democratic government, we listened to, and...

  Dear Lagos,  We mourn the lives we have sadly lost across the state. To the families that we could have better protected, I sincerely apologise.  To the police and law enforcement that lost members, we also mourn them. Every life is important to us. And we do not take anyone for granted. I was on Arise TV where I spoke on the efforts we’re making to return normalcy to our state. I mentioned my call to the President after which the Chief of Defence Staff called to assure us on helping to restoring security to our state. Lagos will be stronger. We will rebuild bridges, we will deliver on the good work we started on ending police brutality & providing justice. The unfortunate incident that happened served as a catalyst that fueled anger and looting by thugs across the state. Fake news and baiting was also spread across social media further causing more chaos. We indeed apologize for all the losses. We are working to stabilise things across the state as we look to rebui...

 The shoot out that occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate. There were speculations that the actress may have been part of the protesters and may have been hit by a bullet. When The PUNCH reached out to the actress via the telephone, her number was busy. However, her close friend, Funke Akindele-Bello was contacted. The iconic actress allayed the fears of her fans and friends as she disclosed that Badmus is ‘fine and in her house

  *Edo govt reviews 24-hour curfew to 4pm to 6am daily*   The Edo State Government has reviewed the 24-hour curfew earlier imposed in the state on Monday, October 19, 2020 to quell civil disturbances in the wake of the hijack of #ENDSARS protests.   The curfew is now to commence from 4pm to 6am daily, starting from Friday, October 23, and would be reviewed after 72 hours.   In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, urged citizens to adhere strictly to the new directive.   Osagie reassured that the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration remains committed to the security of lives and property.    He further enjoined Edo people go about their normal businesses and return home before the kick-off of the curfew.

Sodiq Oyeleke The offices of the Federal Road Safety Corps and Vehicle Inspection Unit at the Ojodu area of Lagos State have been set ablaze. Eyewitnesses said many vehicles were burnt. The PUNCH  gathered that as of 02.20 pm, the fire was yet to be put out. Also, hoodlums have reportedly set ablaze the terminus of the Bus Rapid Transport at Berger, Lagos State

  The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to take responsibility for the shooting and reported killing of peaceful and unarmed young protesters by military operatives at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on Tuesday night. President Buhari is the Commander in Chief of the armed forces and the buck stops on his table.  Our party is however shocked at President Buhari stance, particularly his inability to demonstrate the capacity for concerned, attentive and proactive governance and command structure, while the nation he presides over dangerously slides into anarchy.  A well structured governance response from Mr. President, as the father of the nation, would have calmed frayed nerves and averted the crisis,  violence, deaths, destruction of property and the avoidable loses we are witnessing today. It is indeed heartrending that our once united, viable, resilient and cohesive nation handed over to President Buhari ...

  Dear Lagosians,  I have watched with shock how what began as a peaceful #EndSARS protest has degenerated into a monster that is threatening the well-being of our society. Lives and limbs have been lost as criminals and miscreants are now hiding under the umbrella of these protests to unleash mayhem on our State.   As a government that is alive to its responsibility and has shown a commitment to the movement #ENDSARS, we will not watch and allow anarchy in our dear state. I, therefore, hereby impose a 24-hour curfew on all parts of the State as from 4pm today, 20th October,2020.Nobody, except essential service providers and first responders must be found on the streets.

  By, Ozimah Joseph Odemokpa  Is now becoming clearer to everyone  that those bad elements in Edo state hiding under the guise of EndSARS protest, who belts to destroying the common man and government property in the state are being sponsored by those bad losers in Edo state. Private organization property were also destroyed, such as DAAR Communication services (AIT station) in Benin City were all affected.  I advise those that are still boasting to continue the EndSARS protest in Edo state, should quickly call themselves to order, and abide by the directive of the state government as they have done more harm than good during this EndSARS protest in Edo state.  I also advise the Edo State Government and Federal government to continue carryout their responsibility by protecting life and property in the state and Nigeria at large. I commended the Edo State Government for taking a bold step by imposing curfew in the entire state.  God Bless Edo state. God Bles...

  Edo State Government establishes a Judicial Panel of Inquiry into Circumstances surrounding the #EndSARS protests in Edo State.   In response to the yearnings of Nigerian youths, as articulated in the demands of the #Endsars protesters, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, Governor of Edo State, has instituted a Panel of Inquiry, with the following members;        1. Hon Justice Ada Ehigiamusoe, Chairperson; 2.    Bishop Feb Idahosa, (Clergy); 3.    Francis Osayi, (ASUU); 4.    Comrade Osahon Obasuyi (NYC); 5.    Prest Aigbokhian (Civil Society); 6.    Mrs Uloaku Uzamere (NCWS): 7.    Comrade Pius Efofan (NANS); 8.    Pius Okpere (#EndSARS Movement); 9.    Comrade Kola Edokpayi (#EndSARS Movement); 10.                       Mrs Felicia Monyei (Ministry of Justice); 11.              ...

The Edo State Government hereby imposes a 24-hour curfew across the state till further notice.  The curfew is to take effect from 4pm, today, October 19, 2020. This decision has become necessary because of the very disturbing incidents of vandalism and attacks on private individuals and institutions by hoodlums in the guise of #ENDSARS protesters. While the government of Edo State respects the rights of its citizens to undertake legitimate protests, it cannot sit idly when hoodlums have taken laws into their hands to cause mayhem on innocent citizens and the state. By the directive, schools and businesses are to shutdown activities accordingly. Those who cannot move safely are to stay put between now and 4pm till calmness is restored. Parents are advised to rein in their children, youths and wards, to forestall further breakdown of law and order. The responsibility of government is to protect lives and property and maintain law and order, therefore, anyone found outside in violatio...

The #Endsars# protesters at Lekki,  on Saturday, arrested and handed over a co-protester, Yusuf Lawal, m, 25 years, of Ojuelegba area of Lagos, for stealing a phone, on Saturday,17th October,2020. The protesters who were angry about the incident descended on him and gave him beating before they agreed to hand him over to the police at Maroko Police Station. Though the stolen phone has not been recovered as the suspect passed on the phone to his fleeing gang members. The Police are working on the useful information gathered from him to track down his gang members who are at large.  The Commissioner of Police Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has reiterated that this incident is a clear indication that the protests, across the state, have been hijacked by some hoodlums who hide under the #Endsars# protests to steal, loot and cause damage to peoples property.  He therefore advised protesters to be watchful of those who have infiltrated into their prosessions or gatherings to c...

 Breaking  The leader of arewa consultative forum has Stated that the North will not hold their hand and watch southerners remove Buhari. Speaking to news men in Minna, SHETTIMA stated that the southerners are trying to cheat the North again as they did after the death of Yar adua. He stated the readiness of the North to an imminent war if the protesters demands for buhari's resignation or an End to Nigeria. In his words...... Since 1999, the south has been cheating us as regards to the office of the president. When obasanjo was the president, nobody Disturbed him until after his complete eight years in office. IMMEDIATELY our brother took over, they went against him until he died. Instead of using another northerner to complete his tenure, they forced Jonathan on us. Now our brother buhari is in power again,they are using everything AGAINST him forgetting that we still have 8 years after his tenure to equal that of Jonathan and obasanjo. The point is that we the northerners a...

*Says #ENDSARS protest calls for true federalism Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has advocated an amendment of the Laws establishing the Nigeria Police Force to tackle current security challenges facing the country. Governor Wike made the call while speaking on some national issues on a Live National Television Programme in Port Harcourt. Governor Wike stated that such critical look at the enabling laws should be the starting point in achieving an enduring total reform of the Police. "We are in a Federal System. Issues cannot be addressed by the Federal Government giving directives to State Governors.  "There is need for all stakeholders to look at the various laws establishing the Police to determine the roles of Councils, States and the Federal Government.  "We are at a point in our history that collective involvement is important. This is so because the nature of crime fighting today does not support a central command and control.  "We need to embrace t...

Share to Facebook   Share to Twitter   Share to Pinterest   Email This Amember of the All Progressives Congress representing Dawakin Tofa/Tofa and Rimin Gado Federal Constituency in Kano State, Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe, has been attacked by angry youth in his constituency, who alleged that he did not deliver the dividends of democracy to them. According to SaharaReporters, the incident happened on Sunday when Jobe went to inagurate a project at Gulu, a village under Rimin Gado Local Government Area.

By Tony Akowe, Abuja The 2023 presidential election will hold on February 18, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed. Chairman of the Commission (INEC), Prof Mahmood Yakubu, disclosed this on Thursday

The Edo State Government has said it is not owing anyone salaries and emoluments, noting that it has been up to date with its obligations to all cadre of workers or public officers. In a statement, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, said the state government has never reneged on its obligations to pay workers and other cadre of staff their due wages and salaries, debunking allegations that it owes some public officials over political difference. According to him, "The Edo State Government remains one of the few states in Nigeria that has been faithful with its salary obligations to workers. This trend is ingrained in the government's belief that every worker is deserving of his or her wage. So, the claims being made by some persons over owed salaries are baseless. The allegation that these persons are being owed over political differences is even more ridiculous. The allegations are false and should be disregarded. "We ...

   The Edo House of Assembly on Wednesday reversed the recent impeachment of the former Speaker, Francis Okiye, and commuted it to resignation. The horeportireversed the suspension slammed on Mr Okiye, who later joined the lawmakers during the plenary session. The reversal of the impeachment followed a motion moved by the Leader of the house, Henry Okhuarobo, and seconded by Emmanuel Okoduwa, representing Esan North East 11. Moving the motion, Mr Okhuarobo said the need to reverse the speaker’s impeachment followed appeals from their constituents. Consequently, the motion, which received the overwhelming support of the members, was adopted by the house. The Speaker, Marcus Onobun, told journalists shortly after the plenary session that there was no rift between the house and the executive arm of government. In a reaction, the former speaker said he was pleased that the house reversed its decision on him. He expressed his readiness to work with the present leadership for the go...

A Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Engine Truck was damaged by some #ENDSARS protesters on Tuesday at Alausa, Ikeja area of the State. Speaking to journalists at the scene of the incident, the Acting Head of the Agency, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, expressed her dissatisfaction at the unprovoked attack on the truck used daily to assist and support Lagosians in emergency situations. According to her, the fire engine truck was on its way from Salvation Street, Opebi, where it had been deployed to quell a fire incident in the morning, enroute to another emergency call at 10, Thomas Adeboye Street, Olowoira in Ojodu, before it was attacked by some of the protesters. In her words, “The distress call to Olowoira was received at about 12.08hrs and the Alausa fire truck was en-route the scene from Opebi, where it had just concluded an operation before it was attacked and damaged by some protesters”. While maintaining that the Fire Engine Truck was still able to attend to the occurrence at Olowoir...

  Members of Otuo Community in Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State are elated over the revamp and activation of the Otuo General Hospital, commending the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki for prioritising the health and wellbeing of the people.   The Governor Obaseki-led administration recently deployed staff to the hospital to commence dispensing of medical services at the facility which was formerly under lock and key.   A cross section of residents who spoke to journalists on Wednesday, said the governor’s investment in the state’s healthcare sector has improved access to quality and affordable healthcare.   Ehimigbai Loveth, a trader, hailed the governor for keeping to his campaign promise by giving urgent attention to the hospital immediately after his reelection, noting that the governor has continued to earn the love and trust of the people by his people-centric programmes and reforms. According to her, “We are elated that the governor has kept to hi...

Makurdi A former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomole, on Tuesday, sought for an out-of-court settlement in the N10bn libel suit instituted against him by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom. Ortom had filed the suit against the former APC chairman over his comments against him at a press conference on July 27, 2018, where Oshiomhole accused the governor of having a hand in the death of two Catholic priests and other parishioners at Mbalom Community, Gwer East Local Government Area on the grounds that one of the priests had preached a “very critical sermon” against him (the governor). Earlier on the suit, Oshiomhole had filed six preliminary objections which the court resolved all in Ortom ’s favour. However, at the resumption of the case on Tuesday , counsel for Ortom , Samuel Irabor, submitted that he was ready to call his witnesses, but said that Oshiomhole's counsel, Festus Jumbo had informed him that they have considered putting up a retraction of...