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  • Soldier Sentenced to Death for Shooting Dead Superior

    Soldier Sentenced to Death for Shooting Dead Superior

    The Nigerian Army 7 Division General Court Martial has sentenced a soldier, one private Azunna Mmaduabuchi, to death by firing squad

    Mmaduabuchi who was serving at 202 Battalion Bama was found to have deliberately fired nine rounds of ammunition on Lieutenant Babankaka Ngorgi who instantly died.

    Delivering the judgement at Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, President of the Court, Brigadier General Arikpo Ekubi said the soldier was found guilty of murder punishable under section 106 sub section A of the Armed Forces Act 2004.

    He said the gruesome murder of Lieutenant Ngorgi who was the adjutant of the battalion by private Mmaduabuchi negates the tenants of military regimentation.

    Some of the accused soldiers before the 7 Division court martial in Maiduguri.

    The Court has also convicted private Mohammed Kuru serving at 212 Battalion to three years imprisonment for manslaughter.

    Mohammed was convicted of recklessly by accidental discharge killed 12 year old Adamu Musa at a wedding ceremony in London Ciki area of Maiduguri metropolis.

    Sergeant Sani Ishaya and 3 others were also convicted of manslaughter, where the court handed over a sentence from one to four years imprisonment.

    All the convictions are subject to confirmation by superior authority.

    • Radio Nigeria
  • Amotekun Security Corp Kicks off in Ogun State

    Amotekun Security Corp Kicks off in Ogun State

    Amotekun, the alternative security architecture established by Governors in the South West of Nigeria as a result rising insecurity in the region has now gone operational in Ogun State.

    The Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Alhaji Shuaib Salisu disclosed this while featuring on a live television programe in Abeokuta, adding that the commencement of the outfit in the State was expected to fortify the existing security architecture, towards addressing the challenges headlong.

    Alhaji Salisu maintained that the State Government would not fold its arms and allow criminals have free rein, saying ‘’the days of criminals are numbered with the appointment of former Commissioner of Police, David Ajibola Akinremi, as the Commandant of the security outfit.

    Speaking further, the Chief of Staff said Government had procured 100 Patrol vehicles, 200 motorcycles and communication gadgets, to enhance its operations, adding that Amotekun would have formations in all the 20 Local Government Areas of the State.

    He said part of strategies of the State Government to curb criminality was to devise means, noting that over 20,000 youths have been employed through Ogun Jobs Portal, while disclosing that companies in the State were also mandated to source for qualified applicants on it for recruitment.

    The Chief of Staff added that many infrastructural projects inherited from past administrations would be completed by the end of Q1 2021, while the newly initiated projects would not be neglected, saying that the Owode-Ilaro, and Odo-Afa roads in Yewa axis; the Epe-Ijebu Ode, and Molusi College roads in Ijebu division; and the Sagamu Interchange-Siun-Abeokuta, and Lafenwa-Rounda roads are all receiving robust attention of government.

  • Nigeria’s Secret Service Warns Citizens on Plots to ‘Incite’ Religious Violence

    Nigeria’s Secret Service Warns Citizens on Plots to ‘Incite’ Religious Violence

    Nigeria’s secret police, Department of State Services (DSS) has raised the alarm over plot by some Nigerians who have connived with external forces to incite religious violence in the country.

    DSS confirmed this on Monday in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Peter Afunanya, stating that those individuals target states like Sokoto; Kano; Kaduna; Plateau; Rivers, Oyo, Lagos, and the rest of the South East.

    The DSS spokesman disclosed that part of the plan is to cause inter-religious conflicts by using their foot soldiers to attack some worship centres, religious leaders, personalities, key and vulnerable points.

    “The Department of State Services (DSS) wishes to alert the public about plans by some elements working with external forces to incite religious violence across the country. Targeted states include Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, Plateau, Rivers, Oyo, Lagos and those in the South East.

    “Part of the plans is to cause inter-religious conflicts as well as use their foot soldiers to attack some worship centres, religious leaders, personalities, key and vulnerable points.

    “Consequently, Nigerians are advised to be wary of these antics and shun all divisive tendencies aimed at inciting or setting them against one another”, Afunanya said.

    He stated further that the service would collaborate with sister agencies to ensure that public order is maintained, noting that those hatching the plots are warned to desist from them in the interest of peace, security, and development of the country.

    Law abiding citizens and residents should report suspected breaches of peace around them to the nearest security agencies, Afunanya advised.

  • Nigerian Government signs Kano-Maradi $1.9bn Railway Line

    Nigerian Government signs Kano-Maradi $1.9bn Railway Line

    The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mota- Engil Group for the construction of $1.959billion dollars Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge Railway lines.

    In a statement by Eric Ojiekwe, Director Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, said the project was aimed at linking the whole country by rail.

    The MoU was signed by Amaechi on behalf of the Federal Government while the Managing Director, Mota- Engil, Antonio Gvoea signed on behalf of the contracting firm.

    READ ALSO:

    Court Admits Sowore to N20m Bail Over ‘Public Disturbance’

    The Minister stated that the new railway corridor which is to be located in northern Nigeria will run through Kano, Jigawa and Katsina and through Niger Republic territory as far as Maradi.

    According to the Minister, other cities such as Danbatta, Kazaure, Daura, Mashi, Katsina and Jibiya would also be affected by the rail line in Nigeria.

    Speaking on the impact of the transport project, Amaechi said the 283.750 kilometre rail line would help develop freight and passenger transport as it would be integrated with road transport adding that it would contribute greatly to the local economy as well as the nation’s social sector.

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    Nigeria Hasn’t Received $5.3bn Chinese Loan for Ibadan-Kano rail – Transport Minister

    The signing ceremony of the multi-billion dollar rail project, whose construction duration would last for 36 months, was witnessed by the Ministry’s Permanent, Dr Magdalene Ajani, the Director, Legal Services, Pius Oteh, the Managing Director, Mota-Engil Group, Antonio Gvoea and Head of Legal, Mota- Engil Group, Cameron Beverley.

    Also in attendance were Magajin Garin Kano, Muhammad Wada; Director, Mota-Engil Group, Kola Abdulkarim; Vice President, Mota-Engil Group, Mohammed Abdul-Razaq, among others.

    Others at the event include the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Yusuf Tuggar and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman among other diginitaries also witnessed the signing.

  • Court Admits Sowore to N20m Bail Over ‘Public Disturbance’

    Court Admits Sowore to N20m Bail Over ‘Public Disturbance’

    Arrested on the claims of public disturbance on the eve of the new year, publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore has regained his freedom after an Abuja Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2 granted him bail at N20million on Monday.

    Alongside four other – Peter Williams, Sanyaolu Juwon, Emmanuel Bulus and Damilare Adenola, Sowore was arraigned before the court on January 4, 2021, on a three-count charge filed by the police, following which the court ordered that they be remanded in prison.

    The presiding Magistrate, Mabel Segun-Bello in a ruling held that the defendants were entitled to bail as they did not resisted arrest while being apprehended by the police.

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    Nigeria Hasn’t Received $5.3bn Chinese Loan for Ibadan-Kano rail – Transport Minister

    The Magistrate had particularly ordered that the first defendant (Sowore) be admitted to  N20m bail with two sureties in like sum.

    Magistrate Segun-Bello added that one of the sureties must be a civil servant, not below Grade Level 12 in the federal civil service.

    She further ordered that Sowore must report physically to the Chief Registrar of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) or any other person designated by the Chief Registrar, every Monday and Friday mornings until the end of the case.

    For the other four defendants, the Magistrates said they should be granted bail after endorsing a bond of N1m each.

    In addition, each of them is to produce one surety in like sum, who “must be resident in Abuja with an identifiable workplace and residential address”.

    “All defendants must not travel outside Abuja metropolis or outside the country pending the determination of the case,” Segun-Bello said.

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    The defendants were arrested on New Year’s Eve over their involvement in a protest despite the ban on crossover night activities by the government.

    They were arraigned on January 4, 2021, on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assembly and public disturbance.

    Following their plea of not guilty, Magistrate Segun-Bello ordered that they be remanded at the Kuje correctional centre, pending the hearing and determination of their bail applications.

  • Nigeria Hasn’t Received $5.3bn Chinese Loan for Ibadan-Kano rail – Transport Minister

    Nigeria Hasn’t Received $5.3bn Chinese Loan for Ibadan-Kano rail – Transport Minister

    Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has revealed that the sum of $5.3 billion loan request by the Federal Government is yet to be approved by the Chinese Government.

    The Minister, who disclosed this during an interview on a television programme in Abuja on Saturday clarified that contrary to the claim that the government had gotten the loan, what was approved by the government was the approval for the contract.

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    Nigerian Army Shakeup Formation to Intensify War on Terrorism

    Ameachi however noted that the construction of the Ibadan to Kano rail project will commence once the loan which was requested for a year ago is approved.

    He said: “We are waiting for the Chinese government and bank to approve the $5.3bn to construct the Ibadan-Kano. What was approved a year ago was the contract. The moment I announced that federal government has awarded a contract of $5.3bn to CCECC to construct Ibadan-Kano, they assumed the money has come in, but not so. Up till now, we have not gotten the money and it is a year after we applied for the loan. We have almost finished the project of Lagos-Ibadan. If we don’t get the loan now, we can’t commence.”

    READ ALSO: Striking National Identity Management Workers Return to Work

    On the route the project will take, he said: “The Ibadan-Kano rail would link six areas which are Kaduna-Kano-Abuja-Minna-Ilorin-Osogbo and Ibadan which will make it easy for cargoes to be moved to Kano from Lagos. On the funding of the rail projects, Amaechi stated that his ministry has presidential approval to borrow money to fund projects.

  • Nigerian Army Shakeup Formation to Intensify War on Terrorism

    Nigerian Army Shakeup Formation to Intensify War on Terrorism

    The Nigerian Army Saturday night announced a major redeployment of senior officers to intensify the war against terrorism and other forms of criminality that is ravaging the peace of the country.

    The Director, Army Public Relations Brigadier General Sagir Musa, while disclosing the redeployment said the move was to rekindle the spirit of professionalism and enhance productivity of the army.

    According to General Musa, the new Army architecture will now have Major General FO Agugo move from Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals Corps Apapa Lagos to Defence Headquarters Department of Communications as Chief of Defence Communications, while Major General M Mohammed leaves the Nigerian Army Resource Center Abuja for Pronto Tech Nigeria Limited and appointed Managing Director.

    Also, Maj Gen AR Owolabi is transferred from Defence Headquarters Abuja (Department of Communications) to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals Corps as Commander.

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    Striking National Identity Management Workers Return to Work

    The General notes that Major General A Bande remains as General Officer Commanding 8 Division Sokoto.

    According to Musa ,Major General E Akerejola leaves Army Headquarters Department of Logistics for the Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport, Benin as Commandant “Major General UM Mohammed to remain in the Office of the Chief of Army Staff as Special Adviser Nigerian Army University Biu and Vice Chairman Nigerian Army Property Limited, Abuja, Major General CV Eze from Office of the Chief of Army Staff ( Nigerian Army Special Projects) to Army Headquarters, Department of Army Logistics and appointed Director Engineering Services.

    “Major General OF Azinta from Defence Space Agency, Abuja to Defence Headquarters as Director Psychological Warfare, Major General AM Dauda from National Defence College, Abuja to Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans and appointed Director Policy, Major General AL Dusu from Army Headquarters, Department of Policy and Plans to Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia appointed Commandant and Major General H Ahmed from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police to remain as Provost Marshal (Army).

    “Others include: Major General TA Gagariga from Nigerian Army School of Artillery, Kachia to Defence Space Agency, Abuja appointed as Deputy Chief of Defence Space Agency, Major General JO Iwara from Army Headquarters Department of Standard and Evaluation to Department of Army Logistics appointed Director of Logistics Planning, Major General PI Eze to remain at Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri and appointed Theatre Logistics Component Commander,

    “Major General OO Oluyede to remain in Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Damaturu as Commander, Major General BR Sinjen to remain in Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations, Abuja as Director Operations, Major General R Abubakar to remain in Defence Headquarters as Defence Liaison Officer Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Major General OO Soyele from Defence Hedquarters, Abuja to Nigerian Army Resource Center, Abuja as Senior Research Fellow.

    “Major General AK Ibrahim to remain in Headquarters 7 Division/ Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri as General Officer Commanding/Commander Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Major General SI Igbinomwanhia to remain in Sector 3 Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Monguno as Commander and Major General IM Jallo from Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba to Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt appointed General Officer Commanding.

    “Brigadier General AIM Lapai from 302 Artillery Regiment (General Support), Onitsha to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery, Kontogora appointed Director Field Defence, Brigadier General Kawugana from Warrant Officers’ Academy, Jaji to Hedquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja Lagos appointed Commander, Brigadier General MO Jimoh from Defence Headquarters to Defence Space Agency, Abuja and appointed Deputy Director, Launch Vehicle Systems.

    “Brigadier General MA Bolarinwa from Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport Benin to Defence Headquarters(Annex), Lagos and appointed Deputy Director Supply, Brigadier General SM Uba to remain in 401 Special Forces’ Brigade as Commander, Brigadier General WM Dangana from Army War College Nigeria, Abuja to 3 Division Garrison, Jos appointed Commander, Brigadier General AGL Haruna to remain in 7 Division Garrison, Maiduguri as Commander, Brigadier General AM Garba from Headquarters Theatre Command Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Maiduguri to Headquarters 23 Brigade, Yola appointed Commander.

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    “Brigade General AG Laka from Army War College Nigeria, Abuja to Nigerian Army Operations Centre, Abuja and appointed Coordinator, Brigadier General IA Ajose from Training and Doctrine Command, Minna to 4 Special Forces Command, Doma as Chief of Staff, Brigadier General DK Zirkushu from Headquarters 1 Brigade, Gusau to Headquarters 28 Task Force Brigade, Chibok and appointed Commander.

    “Accordingly, Brigadier General M Ibrahim from Operation SAFE CORRIDOR, Gombe to 14 Brigade Ohafia appointed Commander, Brigadier General A Idris from Army Headquarters Department of Administration Army to Headquarters 63 Brigade, Asaba appointed Commander, Brigadier General RT Utsaha from 34 Brigade Garrison, Owerri to 32 Brigade, Akure and appointed Commander, Brigadier General MA Sadiq from Headquarters Operation DELTA SAFE, Yenagoa to Headquarters 4 Brigade, Benin and appointed Commander, Brigadier General IH Daniel from 304 Artillery Regiment Maiduguri to 34 Brigade Garrison Oweri as Commander, Brigadier General EO Ojabo from Defence Headquarters, Abuja to 81 Division Garrison, Lagos and appointed Commander, Brigadier General SS Tilawan to remain in Headquarters 5 Brigade as Commander.

    “Colonel FD Babatunde from Headquarters 81 Division, Lagos to Headquarters Operation SAFE HAVEN Jos appointed Sector Commander, Colonel OJ Majebi from Operation SAFE HAVEN, Jos to 31 Brigade Garrison, Minna appointed Commander, Col JC Mbanefo from Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery to 301 Artillery Regiment (General Support) and appointed Commander, Colonel MA Maaji from Depot Nigerian Army Zaria to 4 Operation DELTA SAFE and appointed Commander amongst others.

    “All the postings and appointments take effect from the 18th of January 2021. While wishing all the officers well in their respective appointments, the Chief of Army Staff enjoins them to take their new responsibilities/appointments seriously and discharge all duties professionally with utmost loyalty to the nation and the Service.”

  • Striking National Identity Management Workers Return to Work

    Striking National Identity Management Workers Return to Work

    Normal activities regarding the registration of Nigerians for the National Identity Numbers have now resumed across the country after activities

    were suspended at the various offices of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) nationwide during the week due to strike action by workers.

    The resumption followed the intervention of the Federal Government through the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Pantami,

    According to a statement signed by the commission’s spokesman, Kayode Adegoke, on Saturday, the glitches experienced since January 6 have been resolved.

    The statement read that: the Commission “is glad to inform the general public that normal enrolment services for the National Identification Number (NIN) have been fully restored at all NIMC offices nationwide as the glitches experienced since January 6, 2021, have been sorted out.”

    Enrolment services were temporarily disrupted when the local chapter of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) of NIMC embarked on industrial action on Wednesday, January 6, 2021, immediately after their congress, Adegoke said.

    He said Dr Pantami who promptly intervened in the matter, assured the workers that their grievances would be addressed.

    According to him, Dr Pantami advised them to empathise with Nigerians especially at this time that linkage of the NIN with the Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards was ongoing for the security of lives and property in the country.

    Adegoke said the Director-General of NIMC, Engr Aliyu Aziz also thanked Nigerians for their understanding in the face of the challenges posed by the two-day disruption of the enrolment process.

    He assured that the Management of NIMC would address the welfare, health and safety concerns of all staff of the Commission, especially as related to the COVID 19 pandemic.

    Engr. Aziz enjoined staff to go about their normal duties while fully observing the COVID-19 protocols as they enroll Nigerians and other eligible individuals, Adegoke stated.

    He also gave the assurance that more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) would be made available to staff, in addition to those already donated by the World Bank which had since been distributed to all NIMC offices nationwide.

  • Edo Election: All Progressives Congress Loses Battle to Nail Obaseki In Court

    Edo Election: All Progressives Congress Loses Battle to Nail Obaseki In Court

    The Alleged certificate forgery suit against Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki by his erstwhile political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and one of its members, Edobor Williams, been dismissed by a Federal High Court in Abuja..

    In a judgement, Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that the plaintiffs failed to prove their claim that Obaseki forged the academic certificates that he submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the last governorship election in the state.

    The judge found as lazy, the attitude of the plaintiffs, who did no make any efforts to cross-check from the University of Ibadan (UI) and the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the two institutions that issued the certificates they claimed Obaseki forged.

  • Lagos State University Best Graduating Students Receive N5million Each

    Lagos State University Best Graduating Students Receive N5million Each

    Best graduating students of the Undergraduate and Masters programmes of the Lagos State University has received cheques of N5 million each presented by the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for their outstanding academic performances.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu during the presentation on Friday stated that the gesture is part of “our promise to reward academic excellence in Lagos State”.

    Shotunde Oladimeji Idris, the best graduating student was also offered automatic employment into the state’s civil service, an offer the Governor reacted to sayiing is a step to continue improving the attractiveness of our civil service for the state’s best brains.

    “At the start of this administration, improving education in the state was highlighted as one of my biggest priorities, and we demonstrated commitment by increasing budgetary allocation to the sector as we work on improving the quality of our curriculums & welfare of our students”, Governor Sanwo-Olu said.