Author: Day Break
Sheikh Gumi sponsoring bandits – Nnamdi Kanu fires back Islamic scholar
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, on Monday said popular Kaduna-based scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was a terrorist.
Kanu made the assertions while responding to Gumi’s remark equating him and other Biafra and Oduduwa Republic agitators to Boko Haram terrorists.
Gumi had likened Kanu and those agitating for Biafra and Oduduwa Republic to Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau.
Condemning the remark, the IPOB leader asked the Islamic cleric to stop comparing freedom fighters to terrorists.
Speaking through IPOB’s National Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, Kanu stressed that Gumi and those seeking the integration of bandits are the sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.
A statement by Powerful reads: “We the global family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of our great leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, read with incredulity a provocative remark credited to a filthy looking so-called acclaimed Islamic cleric in the mould of Sheik Gumi that bandits and freedom fighters are the same. Gumi in the said media report, allegedly compared agitators of Biafra and Oduduwa republics with his Fulani bandits rampaging the North and ravaging the entire South. Such a statement if true, has simply unmasked and exposed the real identify of this man masquerading as an Islamic cleric when in actual fact he is one of the hardened supporters of Fulani terrorism.
“With such ignorance ladden uttrance from a supposed Islamic scholar, the world does not need to look far for the real sponsors of banditry and terrorism in Nigeria. We now know those behind the killing spree and evil agenda to decimate indigenous ethnic populations and non-muslim communities across Nigeria.
“Gumi is a terrorist calling peaceful agitators terrorists. He has just revealed his true identity. Now the world knows those to be held responsible for the daily bloodbath in Nigeria. Gumi is not just an apologist for terrorism in Nigeria but a certified bandit in his own right and must know that a miscreant is better than a murderous bandit any day any time. He should also know that those holding meetings with killers and advocating integration of bandits and other terrorist groups into an imaginary amnesty program are nothing but their sponsors.
“Before now Nigerians were deceived into believing that bandits and other agents of terror on rampage all over Nigeria were invisible and without a fixed address. How come this pretender and self-acclaimed Islamic cleric knew where to find the bandits? He even posed for a picture with gun wielding murderers and was very proud of it. How was it that this man managed to locate the hideout of these mass murderers but Nigeria Airforce cannot? How come there hasn’t been any invasion or bombing of any these Bandit Settlements in the North but the same Nigeria Airforce were quick to deploy fighter jets to terrorise innocent citizens in Orlu?
“Not only did Sheik Gumi wine and dine with their bandits, he has also suddenly become their advocate. He has gone to the extent of comparing blood suckers with self-determination activists. What a national embarrassment!
“It’s an insult to freedom fighters all over the world to be compared with blood-sucking demons in human clothing like Fulani herdsmen. If we may ask Gumi, going by his lame argument, is Nicola Sturgeon the leader of Scotland a terrorist or bandit? Are the bandits he was drinking Burukutu with in the forests of Zamfara peace ambassadors? We want to let Gumi and his fellow Fulani Boko Haram and bandits understand that Biafrans will never allow Fulani to take any inch of Biafraland under the guise of one Nigeria fake unity.
“In his warped mind, Sheik Gumi can no longer differentiate between self determination which is a constitutionally guaranteed right and terrorism which is a crime. This hypocrisy has confirmed our earlier position that terrorism and banditry in Nigeria are common agenda of the caliphate. ISWAP, bandits and Fulani herdsmen are one and the same people whose common aim is to decimate the indigenous populations in Nigeria and ultimately Fulanise the country. Sheikh Gumi should remove that dirty rag he is fond of wearing on his head to allow fresh air to cool his brain. Perhaps then he can reason like a human being.”
EFCC remand Kwara lecturer over romance scam
A lecturer of the Kwara State College of Health Technology, Offa, Opashola Abdullahi, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for attempting to cheat by personation, spokesperson of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren said on Monday.
Abdullahi was arraigned by the Ilorin Zonal Office of the EFCC on Monday, February 8, 2021 on one count charge bordering on romance scam before Justice Adenike Akinpelu of the Kwara State High Court, Ilorin.
He was among the 32 internet fraud suspects arrested in Offa on September 14, 2020.
His offence contravenes Section 95 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law.
The charge reads “That you, Opashola Abdullahi, (alias Devin Snow), sometime in the month of August 2020 in Ilorin, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did attempt to cheat by personation, by portraying yourself as a female named Devine Snow via your email address devinesnow677@gmail.com to one Eugene Myvett in order to induce him to send you $200 USD, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 95 of the Penal Code and punishable under Section 324 of the same Law”
The embattled lecturer pleaded ‘guilty’ when the charge was read to him.
Following his plea, counsel to EFCC, Andrew Akoja, led Paul Kera, an operative of EFCC in evidence to review the facts of the case.
El-Rufai counters Sheikh Gumi says I will not negotiate with bandits
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, has called on the Federal Government to give states air and ground forces to fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal menace.
El-Rufai made the call while declaring that his administration would not support or recognise any reconciliatory moves with bandits in the state.
The governor’s comment comes a few days after popular Kaduna-based cleric, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi, had made a move with bandits and kidnappers in the state.
Gumi had urged the federal government to grant amnesty to bandits.
However, El-Rufai while speaking on BBC Hausa Service said: “If the Federal Government does not give us the air and ground forces, these forests are invaded and these terrorists are killed at the same time, then we will continue to be in trouble.
“We in Kaduna are cooperating with Niger State. The governor of the state calls from time to time to gather information. We are doing things with them.
Plateau needs healing says Gov Lalong
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has said that despite the successes made in ensuring peace and stemming the tide of ethno religious violence, the state is still in dire need of healing.
He said the healing was necessary considering that indigenes have remained divided along ethno religious or tribal lines as a result of their experiences of the recent past.
Lalong stated this on the occasion of the commemoration of “Plateau Forgiveness Day” 2021 and inauguration of the Inter-Religious Council held at the Victoria Gowon hall, new government House little Rayfield, Jos, the State Capital.
The governor said the state has ”a golden opportunity to open a new leaf by consolidating on the gains of its efforts within the last six years”.
According to him, “While we cannot claim that all issues in the heart of the crises have been resolved, we have in our hands the tools that can help midwife the rebirth of a new and united Plateau that is at peace with itself and neighbours.
“As a state emerging from the ashes of violence, our Rescue Administration decided to set aside February 7 of every year as Forgiveness Day.
“This day reminds us to imbibe and promote the culture of forgiveness as enunciated in the Holy Books.
“The cardinal objective of this day is to achieve enduring peace and harmony as opposed to hate, bitterness, resentment and vengeance which only leads to a vicious cycle of violence”, Lalong explained.
Recalling the first Forgiveness Day commemorated in the state in 2019, the Governor said “if we imbibed forgiveness, it will eclipse and bury all the wrongs of the past and move us to new dawn by restoring confidence in our future and ensuring that generations unborn do not repeat our mistakes.
“Let me reiterate that the idea behind the Forgiveness Day is for us to reflect on where we have been; the human tragedy that befell us; the need to appreciate our present situation; and our resolve to craft the kind of a peaceful and secure society we desire.
“My administration clearly understands that many of our people have been hurt and could have also caused pain for others. Many cannot seem to erase the hurt from their mental hard drive and continue to harbour bitterness, resentment, and anger.
“The choice before us is to either continue in our anger thus spending the rest of our lives in pain and bitterness, or we can choose to be released, healed, and be set free. That is where forgiveness becomes inevitable”.
“The stakes are quite high and the need to work in concert through the forging of robust alliances has never been this urgent.
“The age-old maxim says we either work together as a united front to win or we perish as fools. We have no reason to choose anything below peace”, he maintained.“That is why today we are inaugurating the reconstituted Plateau State Inter-religious Council, a body made up of highly respected religious leaders and experts in the field of conflict mediation and peacebuilding.
“The inauguration of this non-partisan body is a further demonstration of our administration’s commitment to repairing the broken social fabric of our society through the provision of a structured platform for religious, community, youth and women leaders to play active roles in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between citizens regardless of ethnic and religious differences.
He stressed that working closely with the Plateau State Peace Building Agency, the State Inter-religious Council will critically think through issues and build consensus on challenges that threaten “freedom, tolerance and peace”.
EXCLUSIVE: Buhari quietly appoints nephew Tunde Sabiu as NIA director
As his desperation to shield himself and associates from accountability grows, the president has been making appointments that alarm even people within his government.
President Muhammadu Buhari has quietly gifted his unqualified nephew the position of an assistant director at the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Peoples Gazette can confirm, typifying yet another exhibit of his sectional and corrupt determination to cram national security positions with his tribes and clans and leave an enduring influence long after serving out his tenure in 2023.
Sabiu “Tunde” Yusuf, a nephew and domestic but influential aide to Mr. Buhari, was recently admitted as an assistant director at the nation’s external intelligence outfit, the Gazette understands based on information first volunteered by two presidency officials before additional corroboration from an NIA chief.Mr. Buhari inserted Mr. Yusuf into the NIA even as he lacked requisite field and administrative experience to handle the rigours of the crucial intelligence top job.
Mr. Buhari has declined to make the appointment public to avoid yet another round of public clamour over his bias for northern supremacy in public service. But officials familiar with it have now informed the Gazette and excoriated the president for being unable to recognise the benefits of inclusive national patronage.
Reasons we demolished Lagos property, rendered hundreds homeless – State Govt
An official says the task force obtained approval before embarking on the enforcement.
The Lagos State government has finally spoken on the demolition of the property at 1, Kuku Street, Opebi, which led to the ejection of hundreds of families and mechanics occupying the land.
In a statement released by Gbenga Omotosho, Commissioner for Information, on Sunday, the state confirmed that the Lagos State Special Task Force on Land Grabbers (LSSTF) carried out the demolition ”based on the petition received from the Meadows family, to eject the occupants of the land”.
Mr Omotosho, in the statement, said the task force obtained approval to embark on the enforcement, in conjunction with other government agencies.
He added that the demolition was an “execution of the judgement of the High Court of Lagos State”.
It’s was earlier reported how hundreds of people who resided at Monkey Village were rendered homeless and auto mechanics also dislodged from their compound at Opebi area of the state on December 31, 2020.
A bulldozer, accompanied by officials of Lagos State agencies and police officers, arrived at the scene unannounced to demolish all structures erected by the residents, destroying several properties.
The residents, who expressed trauma over the demolition narrated how they were caught by surprise as no notice was given by the state government.
Investigation
The manner in which the demolition of the property at No, 1, Kuku Street, Opebi, which was occupied by a mechanics’ association and Monkey Village, an expanse of land behind, took place prompted an investigation into the incident.
Although the exercise was carried out by government agencies, provisions for demolition exercise in the laws of the state were not followed.
We’ve started relocating to Kano – Fulani herdsmen
The leader of Fulani herdsmen and Secretary of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in Kano State, Zubairu Ibrahim, has disclosed that herdsmen from South West, South East and other parts of the country have indicated interest to relocate to the Kano RUGA settlement.
According to Ibrahim, some of the herdsmen are from states such as Nasarawa, Niger, Enugu, Oyo, among others.
He said that herdsmen from five states of the federation have already relocated to Kano.
“We have some Fulani herdsmen from Kebbi, Zamfara, Kaduna, Sokoto, and Jigawa who are now in Kano.
“The governor has invited anyone willing to stay in the RUGA settlement to come. If they come and they are good people, nothing will stop us from receiving them.
“All they need to do is to follow the rules and regulations of government. They should go for grazing in the afternoon and not at night. Nothing can stop them from coming if they are interested.
“Since the governor of Ondo State has gone to the media to say that they (herdsmen) should vacate the area, instead of staying there they should leave. they should leave so that something bad does not happen to them and their property. They should just vacate the area for their safety.”
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State had recently declared that it was no longer acceptable for herdsmen to move their animals from the North to the South.
Ganduje stated this while calling on the government to restrict the movement of herders and cattle from the North to other part of Nigeria.
Ganduje explained that this would end to the frequent clash between herdsmen and farmers in the country.
Fulani herdsmen are being accused of causing mayhem in different parts of the country leading to quit notices and ultimatums on them to vacate parts of South East and South West
Governors of the South West and South East have recently announced ban on open grazing and movement of cattle by foot.
LASU Postpones Examination, As NASU-LASU Begins Strike
Examinations at the Lagos State University have been put on hold after the Non-Academic Staff Union of the university started a warning strike over alleged breaches of agreement reached with the government.
Students were locked out of the school premises which prevented them from writing their exams on Monday.
The union had earlier in January went on a five-day warning strike by the institution Joint Action Committee to press their demands.
The Chairman, SSANU-LASU Chapter, Saheed Oseni, said that the three unions in the university totally complied with the strike in line with the directive of their national bodies.
The three unions are the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Non-Academic Staff Union and the National Association of Academic Technologists.
They said the university system is challenged by poor governance and administrative lapses which needs to be addressed holistically.
“Poor funding of our universities, shortfall in payment of staff salaries, increasing corruption in the university system should be addressed,” the union said in January.
The Dean of Student Affairs, Dr Tajudeen Olumoko, while addressing students, said that the school authority was already making contact with state government and the issue would be resolved soon.
Nigeria sold $2.89 billion worth of oil and gas between November 2019 and November 2020
Nigeria sold $2.89 billion worth of oil and gas between November 2019 and November 2020, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has said.
The country suffered significant loss of revenue in 2020 due the fall in oil prices as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
In its report, the NNPC sad it recorded a trading surplus of N13.43 billion for the month of November 2020, up by 54 per cent when compared to the N8.71billion surplus recorded in October 2020.
This is contained in the November 2020 edition of the NNPC Monthly Financial and Operations Report (MFOR), according to a press release by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division of the Corporation, Kennie Obateru.
The trading surplus or trading deficit is derived after deduction of the expenditure profile from the revenue in the period under review.
The report indicated that in November 2020, NNPC Group’s operating revenue as compared to October 2020, decreased slightly by 0.02 per cent or N0.09 billion to stand at N423.08 billion.
Similarly, expenditure for the month decreased by 1.16 per cent or N4.81billion to stand at N409.65 billion leading to the N13.43 billion trading surplus.
Overall, expenditure as a proportion of revenue was 0.97 in November 2020 as against 0.98 in October 2020.
The 54 per cent increase in trading surplus is primarily ascribed to the substantial decrease in expenditure from the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC) due to cost reduction in overheads, coupled with per cent reduction in NNPC Corporate Headquarters deficit
