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Kaduna Train Attack: Ango Abdullahi’s Son Regains Freedom As Others Remain In Captivity

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Barely a week after releasing photos of 62 abducted persons in their custody, the terrorists who attacked a Kaduna-bound train on March 28 have freed one of the victims.

The released abductee is said to be the son of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) leader, Prof. Ango Abdullahi even as other abductees remain in their kidnappers’ den.

A family member, who confirmed that Sadik Ango Abdullahi was freed at the weekend after 31 days in captivity, said that ransom was paid. He, however, did not say the amount.

He added that the “young man who is the only son between his father and mother, the late Hajiya Jummai Alhassan, is currently undergoing psychological rehabilitation in a private hospital.

According to the family source, Sadik was identified by his friends and relations when the terrorists released the pictures of the 62 abducted passengers.

He said that the terrorists were unaware that Sadik was the son of the NEF leaders when the negotiation for his release was going on.

He said: “Negotiations between the government and the terrorists for the release of our loved ones have reached an advanced stage.

“We don’t want to jeopardise the process now. We are sure the terrorists later found out who Sadik was and later decided to negotiate for his freedom.

As at the time of filing this report, there was no official reaction from security agencies.

The terrorists had earlier freed the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Alwan Ali-Hassan.

Buhari Says Frequent Building Collapse In Nigeria Embarrassing, Mourns Ebute Metta Victims

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Muhammadu Buhari
Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has lamented the frequent occurrence of building collapses in the country, describing it as increasingly embarrassing.

He charged relevant state agencies to work with professionals on how to halt the situation.

Buhari was reacting to the collapse of a three-storey building in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State on Sunday, commiserating with the families of those who died, got injured or affected in anyway in the incident.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, Buhari hailed the courage and determination of first responders at the site of the incident, including national and subnational emergency agencies, noting that their timely intervention was responsible for saving many of the victims.

“President Muhammadu Buhari commiserates with families of those who died, sustained injuries, and were affected in the building collapse at Ebute Metta area of Lagos State, with search and rescue still ongoing at the site.

“The President, who is pained by this tragic incident, salutes the courage and determination of the first responders, national and sub-national emergency agencies in Lagos State, and compassionate Nigerians, whose immediate action in the aftermath of the collapse of the three-storey building led to the rescue of several persons, including many children.

“Regrettably, the President notes that the frequency of building collapses in the country has become increasingly embarrassing, urging the relevant state authorities to work closely with professional bodies to put a halt to these unfortunate but preventable incidents.

“President Buhari wishes those injured a speedy recovery and prays for divine assistance in the ongoing search and rescue operations,”:the statement reads.

RCCG Says Only Osinbajo Can Bring Change In Nigeria’s Governance

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Head of Politics and Governance of the Redeemed Christian Church, RCCG, Pastor Timothy Olaniyan, insisted weekend that the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential hopeful, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, remained the only child of God and a pastor that could change the narrative of governance in Nigeria.

Fielding questions from newsmen at the inaugural conference of New Era Nigeria, NEN, a political movement set to change the narrative of governance in 20s23, Olaniyan said: “Money politics in this country has led us to where we are now.

“People will promise heaven and earth, and at the end of the day, you see them giving N1000, N2000 to eligible voters. After the election, you won’t see any of their promises being fulfilled and the people they gave money will not have access to these notable politicians.

“It is high time our eyes were opened. What we want is not those baits, we want somebody that would make a promise to our children and fulfill it. If you tell me education is going to be free, I want you to get there and make it free so that we would not continue to build up youths who have no future.

“As of today, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo is not just a pastor, he is still a child of God. There are many pastors who can decide to do rituals with a human skull and still claim to be a pastor. I am talking of a child of God.”

On his part, the convener of the movement, Dr. Fatunji Stephen, in his remarks, said: “Since our independence, we have little or nothing to show for it. Administrations come and go, they make promises every now, and then, yet the story remains the same.

“As the citizens of this nation, we can’t fold our arms and be criticising them. This is what brought about the concept of New Era Nigeria.

“The old era of leadership in Nigeria is characterised by systemic corruption, self-interest, among other vices you can’t imagine. We want the kind of people that will emerge to be credible. People that would not go into public offices for personal gain. We want people that would rise and be selfless for the betterment of this nation.

“Nigeria does not have a quick fix solution. Those that come to say they would fix power, they would fix roads are just deceiving us. So far, what have they done about it? That is why we have decided to give ourselves a 10-year plan.”

‘’There’s a need to sit down and critically analyse, examine and research problems that may not be visible to the public. For example, even a blind man knows that we have electricity problems in Nigeria. By the time we do our research, the cause of Nigeria’s power outage may not be good for the public.

“2023 is already at the door, we encourage all Nigerians to go, exercise their franchise to elect those they think are credible but so far, we are yet to see serious blue print on ground from whosoever is to emerge.

‘’Nigeria should not expect so much from whosoever is going to emerge in 2023 because as long as these people we are talking about remain the majority in power, they will continue to control the affairs of the nation in such a way that even the person who intends to do good might be frustrated.

‘’Even if President Obama presides over Nigeria today, he won’t succeed because of the systemic failure.”

Police Nab Man For Raping 17-Year-Old To Death

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Police Nab Man For Raping 17-Year-Old To Death

One Bako Anjeh has been arrested by police in Nasarawa state for raping a 17-years-old girl to death.

The 36-year-old committed the crime in the Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Rahman Nansel, made this known in Lafia, the state capital, on Sunday.

He disclosed that the suspect forced the victim to consume gramophone, a chemical used for killing grasses, in order to deprive her of the strength and vigour to resist, before proceeding to have carnal knowledge of her.

He said the tracking and eventual arrest of Anjeh followed a complaint lodged at the Akwanga Area Command by the victim’s father, Mr. Dimka Sarki,

Sarki claimed that his daughter was lured and defiled by the suspect, who hails from Angam village, Akun Development Area of Nasarawa Eggon LGA.

He said, “A complaint was lodged at Akwanga Area Command by one Dimka Sarki, that one Bako Anjeh lured his daughter to his room and tried to have unlawful carnal knowledge of her. The suspect hails from Angam village in Akun Development Area of Nasarawa-Eggon Local Government Area.

“When she refused, he forcefully gave her gramophone, a chemical substance used in killing grasses, to drink, which made her weak then. He proceeded and had carnal knowledge of her.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, Police operatives attached to Akwanga Area Command swiftly moved to the scene and got the suspect arrested.

“The victim was taken to Ola hospital in Akwanga LGA for medical treatment where her statements were taken before she later died at the same hospital and the corpse was deposited there for post mortem examination.”

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, CP Adesina Soyemi, has directed the suspect to be charged to court for prosecution after the investigation is concluded at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lafia.

Ogun State Govt Grants 31 Prisoners Pardon

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Ogun State Govt Grants 31 Prisoners Pardon

Ogun state government has announced a prerogative of mercy for 31 inmates from correctional service centres across the state.

The state Chief Judge, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, made the announcement at the ceremonial hall of the judiciary complex in Abeokuta during the release of the prisoners.

Justice Dipeolu said eight of them were pardoned from Oba, six from Ibara-Abeokuta, six from Ijebu-Ode, eight from Ilaro, and three from Sagamu correctional centres.

The CJ said that granted amnesty had been in custody for a certain number of years, some due to poor health, while others because their case files could not be located.

He advised them not to go back to their old ways but to engage in tangible professions.

Justice Dipeolu said, “Usually, there is an administration of criminal justice committee which looks through the lists of inmates and recommends those that are worthy of release after lots of investigations.”

She further said new modalities had been initiated where pictures with full details of inmates would be taken for record purposes, pointing out that if such inmates committed other offenses after being discharged, the records would be located and the culprits would be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.

In his contribution, the Controller of Correctional Centres, Ogun State Command, Mr AbdulRasheed Alimi, appreciated the CJ for setting up the administration of the criminal justice committee, noting that the discharge of inmates on a quarterly basis had assisted in the decongestion of correctional centres, as well as the reformation of some of the inmates.

Speaking on behalf of a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Friends of Joseph Foundation (FOJOF), its Head of Advocacy, Mr Taiwo Olukoyede, said some inmates who were pardoned in the past had been rehabilitated and were doing great.

One Killed As Rival Cult Groups Clash On Sallah Eve In Kwara

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One Killed As Rival Cult Groups Clash On Sallah Eve In Kwara

A suspected cultist identified as Tantala was reportedly killed on Eidel-Fitr Sallah Eve during a renewed cult clash around the Okesuna/Ojagboro area of Ilorin, Kwara State capital.

It was gathered that the victim was killed on Sunday during the clash between rival cult groups.

According to Daily Post, eyewitnesses said the bloody clash started around 11:00 pm when the rival cult group hacked down and killed the victim, also suspected to be a member of a cult group.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Okasanmi Ajayi, confirmed the incident said, “the information is true and the Commissioner of Police, Tuesday Assayomo, has ordered an investigation into the incident.”

Ajayi, however, said no arrest has been made yet.

Nigeria’s Ambassador To Spain Picks Lagos APC Senatorial Form

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Nigeria’s Ambassador To Spain Picks Lagos APC Senatorial Form

Nigeria’s Ambassador To Spain Picks Lagos APC Senatorial Form

Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, Chief Demola Seriki, has bought the N20m senatorial form of the All Progressives Congress.

Seriki is vying for the Lagos-Central senatorial seat as he seeks to succeed Lagos-Central senator, Remi Tinubu, the wife of APC national leader, Bola Tinubu.

Seriki, a former Minister of State for Defence and Supervising Minister for Mines and Steel, will slug it out with the Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Wasiu Eshilokun for the senatorial ticket.

The Lagos Central senatorial district comprises five local governments including Surulere, Eti Osa, Lagos Island, Apapa, and Lagos Mainland.

In his manifesto, the envoy promised to focus on security, education, mass transportation, roads and infrastructure, housing, health, environment, agriculture, and economic, social, youth and women development.

His pledge reads in part, “A senator is expected to effectively articulate the position and expectation of his or her district and constituents with possession of eloquence prowess. In particular, Lagos State is the most important state in Nigeria and the second-largest economy in West Africa only after Nigeria.

“Hence, Lagos requires a quality senator. I have worked effectively over the years with the National Assembly members while I was a Minister of the Federal Government in various ministries namely: Agriculture, Water Resources, Mines and Steel, Defence, and Interior.

“With humility, I know the functionality of the Senate with its oversight process and procedure and will garner the experiences to benefit my people in Lagos Central in particular and Lagos State in general.”

We Don’t Recognise Ambode Campaign Group – Lagos APC

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We Don’t Recognise Ambode Campaign Group – Lagos APC

We Don’t Recognise Ambode Campaign Group – Lagos APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State yesterday described the activities of a faceless organization, ‘Akinwunmi Ambode Campaign Group,’ as a distraction.

It reminded those behind the body led by Olawale Oluwo that caucuses had been banned by the state party leadership.

“The promoters of the group, if they are truly members of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress, ought to know that the activities of clandestine groups have been banned because of their divisive tendencies,” the party said.

Lagos APC, in a statement by its Acting Publicity Secretary, Yesiro Karamo, wondered why it had taken three years after the ouster of the Ambode administration for such a group to spring up and claim relevance.

He said they could be pardoned because it was in the spirit of the season.

Karamo stressed that the chapter had earlier made it clear that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s endorsement by the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) for another term did not foreclose the ambition of any other member.

He said: “As a democratic party, we remain committed to providing a level playing field for all aspirants for various offices and ensuring internal democracy.

“It is distasteful and unacceptable for a group purportedly committed to our party to take on the role of the opposition.

“While we want to welcome back our members who hitherto left our party, we need to caution them not to unnecessarily heat up the polity with unguided utterances.

“In their absence, the party successfully conducted congresses at the ward, local, state, and national levels to fill party offices.

“The process of reconciliation in Lagos State is also making steady progress.

Therefore, our returning members will be expected to conduct themselves in a manner acceptable under our party’s constitution, rules, and guidelines.

“As a party, we remain proud of the landmark achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

He has not only kept faith with a kernel of his social contract with Lagosians, the THEMES agenda, he has also returned the state to the path of steady progress.

“He has been a symbol of responsible, stable, responsive, humane and humble leadership. He has indeed delivered on the policies and the politics.”

Reason I Didn’t Play N’Golo Kante Against Everton – Tuchel

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Reason I Didn’t Play N’Golo Kante Against Everton – Tuchel

Reason I Didn’t Play N’Golo Kante Against Everton – Tuchel

N’Golo Kante, a Chelsea midfielder, was injured again and missed the Blues’ Premier League away game against Everton on Sunday (May 1).

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel explained why he did not start N’Golo Kante in his team’s 1-0 loss to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday.

Tuchel left Kante out of the team for the encounter against Everton at Goodison Park, where Richarlison’s sole goal of the game earned Frank Lampard’s side all three points against Chelsea.

Kante has a small injury, according to the German after the squads were announced.

“He went off at Old Trafford after 80 minutes and still has pain. It’s a minor injury. Hopefully, he is back in the next match, but not today,” Tuchel said.

He added, “One thing is clear that N’Golo is a key player because he has outstanding, unique qualities. He’s a unique player, who gives us something nobody else can. He’s struggling with consistency due to injuries, and illness and this is also the reason for our bit of inconsistency.

“We have missed him for so many matches, now he’s fasting due to his religion and beliefs so maybe another reason.”

Kante will now hope to play for Chelsea when they face the Wolves in their next Premier League game on May 7.

Enugu Workers Protest Non-Payment Of Minimum Wage With Black Attires

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Enugu Workers Protest Non-Payment Of Minimum Wage With Black Attires

Enugu Workers Protest Non-Payment Of Minimum Wage With Black Attires

On Sunday, workers in Enugu State Government parastatal agencies dressed in complete black for Workers’ Day.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the workers marched with placards reading “Black May Day for Parastatals in Enugu, Nonpayment of New Minimum Wage, Long Denials of Retirement Benefits” in protest of not being paid the N30,000 minimum wage.

The state government began implementing higher pay in February 2020.

However, only employees in core ministries are paid, leaving out employees in government organizations and departments, local government employees, and public school instructors.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Enugu State Council, urged the government to expedite action in the full implementation of the N30,000 wage.

The Chairman, Mr. Virginus Nwobodo,t said it was sad that the government had not yielded to all entreaties to make workers in other sectors enjoy the new wage.

Nwobodo appealed to the state to expedite action to that effect.

The NLC chairman also appealed to the state government to harmonize the monthly pension, adding that what many of the pensioners received at the end of each month was ridiculous.

Also, the Chairman, Trade Union Congress (TUC), Enugu State Council, Mr. Bennett Asogwa, urged the government to resume the monthly release of N100 million for the gradual payment of accumulated gratuities.

Asogwa listed other demands as the review of the wrongful scheduling of some civil servants for untimely retirement and speedy completion of the 9th Mile Water Crash Programme.

Others are the release of the outstanding arrears of promotion, repositioning the health sector through the full implementation of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, and others.

Responding, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, said the state government had started the process of addressing the issues raised for harmonious industrial relations.

Ugwuanyi, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, urged workers to continue to show solidarity with the government.

“Government has shown commitment to the welfare of workers and we have kept fate with our determination to ensure that workers in the state enjoy like their counterparts all over the federation.

“We are in solidarity with you and will continue to ensure that organized labour and government are on the same page,” Ugwuanyi said.

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