The presidency has responded to the Easter message delivered by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah.

In his homily on Sunday, April 4, the Catholic cleric said that insecurity, especially terrorism, has degenerated since 2015 President Buhari came into power.

Responding, the Presidency described Kukah’s message as ungodly.

In a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, the Presidency accused Bishop Kukah of playing partisan politics by dragging the President into his Easter Sunday message.

The statement reads, “All citizens have their individual ideologies, even their own versions of truth.

“But if you profess to being a man of God, as Father Mathew Hassan Kukah does, ideology should not stand in the way of facts and fairness.

“Father Kukah has said some things that are inexplicable in his Easter massage.

“But, in saying that the Boko Haram terrorism is worse than it was in 2015, he did not speak like a man of God. Kukah should go to Borno or Adamawa to ask the citizens there the difference between 2014 and 2021.

“Furthermore, the Hijab issue in Kwara State on which he dwelt is a state matter which the courts of the land have adjudicated.

“They are matters that have appeared in several states as far back as the Obasanjo administration. In all of that, when and where did the name of President Buhari feature?

“He is playing partisan politics by dragging the President into it.

“An administration that has created a whole Ministry, for the first time in the country’s history, appropriating enormous resources to it, to deal with issues of internally displaced persons cannot, in all rightfulness be accused of not caring for them.

“Some of the comments are no more than a sample of the unrestrained rhetoric Fr. Kukah trades in, which he often does in the guise of a homily.

“We urge well-meaning citizens to continue to support the ongoing efforts by the administration to secure the country and move it forward.”

By Jide N.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, March 31, approved a mass training for the State’s law enforcement agents on the use of body-worn cameras, ahead of the deployment of the digital tools for security operations across the State.

The three-day training, which will commence in May, will be facilitated by the State’s Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI), headed by Prince Oyekan Falade. After the training, all State-funded law enforcement officers will be commissioned to wear body cameras for their operations.

At the launch of the training today, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the move would improve transparency and accountability in the activities of law enforcement agencies, and put the State Government in a better position to respond to security challenges in real-time.

“I am pleased to inaugurate the use of body-worn cameras by law enforcement officers in Lagos and this is a groundbreaking move to enhance safety in the State, as well as increase transparency and accountability in the activities of our law enforcement agencies. Lagos State has strategically set the pace among other States in Nigeria to launch the use of body worn cameras by law enforcement officers.

The security challenges in different parts of the country are worrisome, but with proactive action, the use of modern technological tools, and a mix of well-trained and intelligent officers, we will successfully combat many of these challenges. With body-worn cameras, our law enforcement officers are better equipped to protect lives and properties, thereby, making Lagos safer for us all.”he said

The governor said the launch of the body-worn cameras would take the Government a step closer towards fulfilling its security agenda, stressing that the introduction of devices to frontline security team and officers would enhance their productivity and professionalism, while also fast-tracking law enforcement process.

The cameras, the Governor pointed out, will help the State Government check abuse of power and excesses by security personnel, while also improving the safety and accountability of officers, who will use the devices for evidence sharing and intelligence gathering.

“I am hopeful that all officers will optimise the cameras that will be assigned to them for the furtherance of justice and improvement of the law enforcement process. Our Government will continue to prioritise the welfare of our law enforcement officers whose pivotal efforts we acknowledge in the entrenchment of a safe city,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said

By Jide N.

There was tension on Thursday night at Ugwuachara in Ebonyi State after suspected Fulani Herdsmen stormed the area to carry out an attack on the members of the community.

According to report gathered by newsmen, youths of the community resisted the Fulani herdsmen that invaded the community with different kinds of weapons raging from cutlass to guns, etc.

Speaking with newsmen on the condition of anonymity, a resident of the area said what the villagers was because the youths of the community were at alert throughout the night.

He said the displaced Fulani Herdsmen at their former settlement centre located at Ugwuachara regrouped yesterday’s night to attack the residents but was subverted by the combined efforts of the Youths in the area.
He thanked the youths for being smart in resisting the attack which could have resulted to loss of lives and property.

News recalls that Governor David Nweze Umahi on Tuesday condemned the senseless attack on the people of Egedegede in Ishielu Local Government Area of the State by suspected herdsmen.

A statement sent to newsmen by Special Assistant on Media and Publicity said the Governor made the condemnation when he personally visited the Communities on receiving the security information on the matter to ascertain the level of carnages.

The attack which allegedly occured on Monday night led to death of at least 25 residents affecting Nkalaha, Obegu, Amazu, Nkalagu and Umuhuali autonomous Communities.

bY Jide N.

It was a case of religious extremism taken too far coupled with the demonstration of jungle justice when a middle-aged water vendor in Sade Village of Darazo LGA in Bauchi state, Talle Mai Ruwa, was set ablaze and burnt to ashes by yet to be arrested religious bigots.

Information has it that the late Talle Mai Ruwa who was believed to be mentally derailed was forcefully seized from a police outpost station in the village by a mob where he was being detained for allegedly blaspheming Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and lynched him in broad daylight on Tuesday.

Another report had it that the irate youths had beaten him to death before dragging his lifeless body around the village before setting the corpse on fire by using old tyres and petrol burning it to ashes.

A source in the village who spoke to our correspondent in Bauchi said that the late Talle who was hardworking and easy-going allegedly made the blasphemy on Monday when a girl came to fetch water from his water source, a borehole, without his consent and the aggrieved water vendor kicked her bucket and spilt it.

The source narrated that the girl pleaded with him in the name of God and the Prophet to allow her to fetch the water but he was angry that he allegedly insulted her parents and the Prophet whom she mentioned while begging for the water.

It was further gathered that his alleged blasphemous remarks triggered outburst and tension in the village such that the village head took him to the police outpost station in the village where he spent the night.

The source added that, “The next morning (Tuesday), the issue spread everywhere and everyone in the village was provoked. Later, a group of angry youths stormed the police station, subdued the police officers around and grabbed Talle. He was beaten to death and his dead body was burnt.”

Another source said that the irate youths dragged him to the front of his compound where his aged mother helplessly watched his body set ablaze and burnt to ashes.

As it is now, the issue has become the subject of debate in Bauchi among residents who are trying to see the justification of the barbaric action of the irate youths who have taken the laws into their hands coupled with the inability of the police to curtail them

All efforts to get Bauchi State Police Command to confirm the incident failed as of the time of filing in the report, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ahmed Wakili neither pick up the phone when his number was called severally nor reply the SMS and WhatsApp message sent to his number.

By Hajia R.

A 37-year-old man Babangida Sodiq Adamu has shared his experience after marrying two wives on the same day. 

Adamu who outlined the benefits of marrying two women in an interview with BBC Pidgin, said he enjoys more than men who married only one wife. 

The man who stated that everything he enjoys is double-double, disclosed that he wakes up every day knowing that he has two women who love him, care for him and will also cook for him. He added that there is more blessing from marrying two wives both physically and spiritually. 

His two wives, Mariam and Memuna also disclosed that they decided to marry him because they love him and after knowing that him marrying more than one wife is allowed in Islam. They also described him as a caring person who is also unbiased. 

Watch the video below; 

31-year-old Pastor of Gathering of Saints church in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe has been arraigned in court for reportedly breaking into his 46-year-old ex-lover’s home and mercilessly assaulting her.

It was gathered that the incident occurred after Maritha Khumalo who refused to allow the Pastor into her home at Entumbane, locked herself in.

Pastor Nkomo was said to have left briefly only to return around 7pm to hide in a nearby maize field, anticipating that Maritha would eventually open the door. He was however spotted at the farm by his ex-lover. 

After realising that his plan was not working, Pastor Nkomo scaled over the precast wall and knocked on Maritha’s door. After she insisted on not opening the door, he then climbed onto the roof where he removed two asbestos sheets and jumped into the house from above. After gaining entry into the house, he started assaulting his ex-lover.

A bleeding Maritha eventually made her way out of the house and sought sanctuary at a neighbour’s. He was later arrested and charged with physical abuse and malicious damage to property.

Upon being arraigned before Western Commonage magistrate Jeconia Prince Ncube, he readily pleaded guilty to the charges. He was convicted on his own plea and fined $10,000 for physical abuse.

On the charge of malicious damage to property, the Pastor was sentenced to 6 months of which three months were suspended on condition that he does not commit a similar offence within a period of five years.

The other three months were suspended on the condition that he pays $22,680 as restitution to Jabulani Chirinda, the landlord, for the roof that he damaged.

By Jide N.

One Joshua Alabama Gwebe has reportedly been arrested for posting a false story on social media against the Vice-Chancellor Benue State University, Makurdi, Prof Joe Tor Iorapuu.

It was gathered that Gwebe, had in a Facebook post alleged that Prof Iorapuu slapped a student in the premises of the University.

According to Gwebe, a former Benue local government chairmanship aspirant, the said student ran mad as a result of the slap.

A social media influencer, Krayzietee Atu, who confirmed report of Gwebe’s arrest on Thursday evening, April 1, said the young man has apologized for the derogatory post.

Meanwhile, the Information and Public Relation Officer of Benue State University, T. Tser Vanger, who debunked the allegations in statement, described the post as infuriating, liberious and injurious.  Read the statement below…

“The attention of the Vice-Chancellor Benue State University, Prof Joe Tor Iorapuu has been drawn to  a libellous, infuriating, injurious and totally conflicting comment purportedly made by one Alabama Joshua Gwebe alleging that the Vice-Chancellor this morning slapped a student in the premises of the University, who in his post ran mad as a result of the slap,” the statement reads.

We wish to state that:

1. The Vice-Chancellor was not even aware of the said presence of the allegedly slapped student on campus this morning.

2. That the altercations the said student who looked like a near mad person had with the school security was even without the notice of the Vice-Chancellor.

3. That the Vice-Chancellor was only briefed on the incident after the security had bundled the said student away from the car park of the Management staff of the university. 

4. That the university is with the collaboration of law enforcement agencies trying to find out the motive of the said student and what prompted his actions as we send in this report. 

5. The Vice-Chancellor was on a courtesy call at the time the purported incident took place and has been attending meetings which were earlier slated for today.

6. That the Vice-Chancellor will under no level of provocation physically engage anyone as it has never been characteristic of his character,  person or position. 

“The general public is hereby advised to discountenance the said post as the imagination of the writer and nothing near the truth. The University frowns at the intended embarassment the author of the post wishes to bring to the reputation of the Vice-Chancellor and BSU in general. BSU authorities are investigating the situation and will make appropriate statements in due course.”

In a Facebook post dated March 31, Gwebe warned people against posting unverified information on social media. 

“Before you post any information on social media, Verify please. E get Why” he wrote. 

By Jide N.

The family of a British contractor, Philip Mawer, that’s been missing since ISIS militants attacked the town of Palma in northern Mozambique just over a week ago says they presume he has died.

Dozens of people were killed and hundreds are still unaccounted for following the days-long attack by the ISIS-affiliated group on a convoy that was leaving a hotel in Mozambique.

When the attack on Palma began on March 24, the insurgents came from three directions in a well-planned operation. Some of the assailants wore military uniforms, according to regional security sources, confusing the small number of troops based there.

The group deliberately targeted foreign workers, dozens of whom were trapped at the Amarula Hotel on the town’s northern outskirts.

Philip Mawer’s relatives now say they have been made aware that a body matching his description had been found but were awaiting confirmation.

“We understand that a formal process of identification is necessary before we can know for sure whether the body is Philip’s,” the family statement said.

“It appears that Philip died while trying to escape from the siege by ISIS-linked insurgents of the Amarula Hotel near Palma.”

Mawer’s family described him as an “ebullient, outgoing character who had something of the lovable rogue about him,” adding that “he had a wonderful sense of humour and could be relied on to find a humorous take on the most difficult of situations.”

“It was the nature of his chosen line of work to be in the more dangerous corners of the world and Philip’s career had previously taken him to Somalia, Sierra Leone, Algeria, Afghanistan, and Yemen,” his family said. 

“His ability to get things done in the most hostile of environments made him a valued colleague.”

Due to the terror threat being faced in the country, a ferry carrying about 1,200 people evacuated from northern Mozambique and arrived Thursday, April 1 in the port of Pemba, capital of Cabo Delgado Province, according to aid agencies and local journalists.

By Jide N.

Heaps of yam tubers and other food items worth millions of naira have been destroyed in a fire which razed the popular Namu Central Yam Market of Qu’an Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The cause of the fire which occurred in the early hours of Monday, March 29, was still not known.

A resident of the community, Kabiri Buba, said more than 100 farmers were affected by the incident and called on the government at all levels to come to the aid of the farmers.

Meanwhile, the Senator representing Plateau South, Nora Dadu’ut, in a statement on Monday, commiserated with the victims and the traditional ruler of the community, Long Jan of Namu, Safiyanu Allahnana, over the incident.

“I commiserate with the entire people of Namu over this sad incident. Since I heard of this incident, I have not been my usual self, I feel very sad. I pray to God to revive the spirit of those affected by this incident. May God give them the grace to accept the loss and continue the struggle.” he said

The senator then called on the government and other charitable Nigerians to offer support to the victims. 

By Jide N.