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CP orders investigation into killing of 23 years old undergraduate in Bayelsa
Amgbare Ekaunkumo,Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr Mike Okoli , has ordered the Department of Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (CID) to lead discreet investigation into the murder of one Jennifer Ugadu ‘ F ‘ in the State owned Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island,Amassoma.
The Commissioner made this known in a statement issued by SP Butswat Asinim, the Spokesman of Bayelsa State Police command and made available to Daybreak Newspaper on Tuesday in Yenagoa.
The Police image maker said that Jennifer, 23, was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend one James Matol, a member of the Nigerian Army, adding that Investigations also reveals that the deceased was last seen with the boyfriend on 11th July 2021.
Butswat said, the deceased was a two hundred level student of the faculty of education.
He noted that the deceased decomposing body was discovered on 13th July 2021, after one of her friends stumbled on a chat, where the deceased boyfriend admitted to killing her and threatened to commit suicide.
The Commissioner of Police Bayelsa State Command ,CP Mike Okoli fsi has ordered for discreet Investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of the student.
July 13, 2021
2023: Gov Ortom, PDP Shop For Party’s Guber Candidate
By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

As consultations ahead of 2023 governorship hot up in Benue State over who flys the PDP’s flag, Governor Samuel Ortom and the State Working Committee of the People’s Democratic party met with the twenty one Guber Aspirants with the intention to arrive at a consensus candidate.

The Governor who briefed Journalists shortly after the meeting which held at the Government House Makurdi, explained that they had agreed to work together towards achieving a common purpose.

Ortom noted that they would consolidate on the gains which the party has made to achieve successes in the 2023 general elections.

The Governor maintained that the interaction he made with the aspirants indicated that all of them are qualified to serve the state in the capacity of governor, stressing however that only one person would be nominated standard bearer of the party.

He noted that the stakeholders of the PDP would work towards a consensus candidate, stating that where the arrangement fails a transparent, free and fair primaries would be conducted to nominate a candidate.

Ortom assured that himself and the State working committee of the party would remain neutral throughout the process leading to nomination of a guber candidate. Ends
July 13, 2021
Gov Bello Seeks NAF Base in Kogi
By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Kogi state Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, has called on the Federal government to establish a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base in Kogi State.
Governor Bello who made the called when he paid a courtesy visit on the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao at NFA Headquarters stressed that the establishment of a NAF Base in the State would check the activities of bandits as well as facilitate intelligence gathering against criminal elements who have established safe haven in some parts of the State.
He reminded the CAS that the State had in 2017 approached the NAF to consider establishing a Forward Operating Base (FOB) at a colonial era airstrip in Zariagi near Lokoja, to which the NAF in 2018 dispatched a reconnaissance team to survey the suitability status of the location for consideration.
He noted that the revisit of the matter became necessary in view of the activities of bandits and other criminal elements who have relocated to the State after military operations in September 2020 at Utu Forest situated between Nasarawa and Kogi States forced them out of their comfort zone.
Governor Bello pointed out that bandits fleeing from the intense fire power of the military in the Northeast and Northwest have regrouped in locations between Lokoja and Kabba/Bunu which has led to the residents of these areas relocating to other parts of the State.
The Governor went on to state that considering the threats posed by these criminals, coupled with the strategic importance of the State, the need for the revitalization of the talks on the establishment of an FOB became necessary.
Governor Bello who earlier commended the CAS for his consistent responsiveness towards the activities of insurgents and armed bandits called for the revitalization of the talks on the establishment of an FOB, considering the threats posed by these criminals, coupled with the strategic importance of the State
Responding, the CAS commended Governor Bello for early detection of the activities of bandits and for his efforts at securing Kogi State.
He noted that of recent, bandits and other criminal elements have become very mobile as, “Once they come under intense fire in one location, they quickly migrate to another location in search of a safe hiding place.”
He however assured that the mandate by President Muhammadu Buhari to rid the Nation of all criminal elements remains on course and in no distant time, the security situation in Kogi State and environs would take a positive turn.
On the request for the establishment of an FOB, Air Marshal Amao assured the Governor that a team will be constituted to review the report submitted in 2018 with a view to reactivating the plan for the establishment of the FOB.
According to the CAS, “The fact that an airstrip already exists in the proposed location is an advantage.”
July 13, 2021
33 killed, 4 churches, 215 houses burnt in Zangon Kataf – SOKAPU
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna
Southern kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), the umbrella organization of the Southern Kaduna ethnics nationalities has described as genocide, the ongoing terror activities of armed gunmen in Zangon kataf LGA of Kaduna State.
The Union which made the assertion in a statement issued Tuesday and signed by its spokesman Mr Luka Binniyat, averred that 33 People have so far been killed by the gunmen.
SOKAPU, in a statement made available on Tuesday evening titled: “The Ongoing Genocide in Southern Kaduna”, stated that the invaders stormed Magamiya village, last night around 11pm and started shooting.
“For the 6^th day running, armed gunmen, identified as Fulani herdsmen by victims, lay siege to several communities in Atyap land, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area (LGA) of Southern Kaduna, and left no less than 33 people dead in an ongoing genocide and land grabbing in which 108 Southern Kaduna communities have been displaced and taken over by them since 2019.
“In the latest orgy of bloodshed, the invaders stormed Magamiya village, last night around 11pm and started shooting. The family compound of the traditional ruler of Atyap Chiefdom, “Agwatyap of Atyap Chiefdom, Sir Dominic Yahaya was attacked. Several blocks of flats and rooms that make up the family compound of five households were looted of valuables and foodstuffs which were carted into four waiting Hilux vans.
“The houses were then set ablaze. A relation of the revered traditional ruler, Mr. Toma Tauna, 70, was killed by the assailants.
“They went further to loot 6 more homes  which they also burnt leaving Mathew Pama, 62, dead in the same village.
“After putting in about 2 hours of unchallenged murder, looting and arson, the armed herdsmen attempted to burnt down  St Pious Catholic Church in the village, but help came from other villages and the attackers retreated in the Hilux vans for another village.
“Magamiya is about 3km from Zangon Kataf semi-urban town where combined troops of soldiers and other security men are camped complete with patrol vehicles and armoured tanks.
“The same assailants returned and passed besides  Zango Kataf town and drove 5km west of the town and attacked three other villages from around 1:30 am this morning. In the attacks, Matyei made up of 156 homes were all burnt. The Catholic Church in Matei and its pastorium was burnt.
“The Catchiest, simply known as Catchiest Yau, and an infant, were killed in the attack. In all, 8 persons were killed last night in Matyei in a violence that lasted for over an hour.
“The armed Fulani herdsmen then went down to Abuyab Community about 500 metre away and burnt down ECWA church Abuyab and the home of Former ECOMOG Field Commander, Maj. Gen. Shekari Billyok (rtd) and 11 other homes.
“Their attempt to attack Runji Community, nearby was repelled by villagers who got reinforcement elsewhere.
As they retreated, they attempted to destroy the main bridge linking Matyei with Zangon Kataf town and other Atyap Communities, but only succeeded partially.
“Yesterday, before the night attacks occurred, the same armed herdsmen came in Hilux vans and attacked the Atyap of Makarau and Kachechere Communities leaving 10 people confirmed dead, 12 houses burned after looting them.
The ECWA and the Anglican Church pastoriums that serves the communities were set ablaze.
“In a nutshell, 20 Atyap natives were killed by attackers (who all the villagers that saw them) identified as armed herdsmen between afternoon and today’s morning, Tuesday, 13 July, 2021.
” The previous day, Sunday, 11th July, Warkan Community, about 7 km east of Matyei, came under fire by armed herdsmen, leaving 8 people dead. The village was looted and animals rustled before 11 homes were burnt by invaders.
“On 9th July, 2021, Timothy Ayok, 35, from Makarau village was ambush and killed dastardly by armed herdsmen as he returned from his farm that afternoon.
“On 8th July, at Kibori village, about 1km from Zangon Kataf town, a widow, Mrs Esther Patrick, 65 and her family of three were wiped out, including her 6 year old grandchild, Yerima Godfrey.
“Therefore, in the past 6 days,  at least 33 Atyap natives of Zangon Kataf Area were massacred, 4 churches and 215 homes burnt by assailants always identified as armed herdsmen in a genocidal campaign that has become very intensive since 2016.
“SOKAPU condemned this wicked act and the complicit silence and inaction of government from taking steps to bringing the perpetrators and their leaders to justice.
Our Atyap members have been consistent in accusing the Hausa settlers of Zangon Kataf semi urban town of harbouring killer herdsmen, yet  no authority has done anything about it.
“On the 31^st March, 2021, some Fulani squatters on Atyap land complained that their cattled and sheep were killed by Atyap persons.
“In a swift move, 15 Atyap leaders from 4 indicted communities were arrested by troops, detained for days handed over to Kaduna State Police Command Headquarters.
“The police alleged that the Atyap leaders, among them 85 years old Waje Laah, killed 706 Fulani cows and 75 rams in a single day and buried them in a ditch same day, which every rational person know as impossible feat to accomplish.
“But all the same, they were kept in detention for three months without trial and only released on bail last week.
“Meanwhile not less than 100 Atyap natives had been killed and about 24 Atyap villages burnt and hundreds of hectares of farmland bearing growing food crops destroyed by Fulani cows since July 2020. Not a single Fulani leader has been called for questioning.
“We are hereby calling for humanitarian assistance for the thousands of displaced Atyap women and children who are still moving away from several villages to various places around Samaru Kataf, Zonkwa and environs.
“We are also calling on NEMA and SEMA to provide immediate relieve materials to the displaced persons.
“We call on the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, Amnesty Internationals, the United Nations and all relevant international organizations. including local NGOs and Human Rights groups to bear pressure on the Federal Government and Kaduna State Governments to stop the genocide in Atyap land and bring the culprits to justice”, SOKAPU stated.
July 13, 2021
Again 24 killed, several others injured in kaduna LG
By Gabriel Udeh, Kaduna

About 24 persons have been reportedly killed while several others were injured in another bandits attack in Zango kataf Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna, in kaduna State.

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Atyap Community Development Association (ACDA) Marcus Pius who confirmed the reports to journalsts said that the 24 people were killed by armed men in the early hours of Tuesday in six different communities in Ayap chiefdom in the LGA.

Mr Marcus Pius explained that the armed men came in large numbers with dangerous weapons and started shooting sporadically.

According to him, the gunmen later split themselves into various groups and attacked six communities at the same time, killing scores and leaving several others injured.
The affected villages where people suffered the attacked, according to the ACDA source includes Kachechere, Kakwa, Magamiya, and Abuyap respectively.

ACDA PRO also alleged that the attacks have been going on in the chiefdom since last week but without the government making efforts to addressed the situation.

He said the Tuesday attack came a day after suspected armed bandits attacked Makarau-Jankasa in the same chiefdom on Monday and left 9 other persons dead.

However, the Kaduna State Police Command is yet to make any official statement on the killings.
Recalled that eight persons were reportedly feared dead, Church, village burnt down by alleged armed bandits in early hours of Monday night in the same area..
July 13, 2021
Kaduna: Four dead bodies discovered in Matyei village
Rtd General’s house burnt down Kaduna
By GGabriel Udeh

Bandits have continued their onslaught as four more dead bodies have been discovered in Matyei village in Zango Kataf LG area of Southern kaduna State.
The ECWA Church and Pastorium have also been reportedly burnt down in Abuyab community, by people also suspected to be bandits.
Eyewitness said the “Family House of a retired General was among the houses burnt down”, during attacks on the area.
Contacted, the Kaduna State police command spokesman Asp Muhammed Jalige could not respond.
Details later
July 13, 2021
BREAKING: Imo govt seals Rochas Foundation College in Owerri
The Imo State Government on Tuesday sealed Rochas Foundation College, Orji, in Owerri, the state capital.
Government officials arrived at the location which is the old quarters of the staff of Imo Broadcasting Corporation and sealed it.
Our correspondent, who visited the scene, saw that the massive property had been taken over by the state government.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State on Print Media, Modestus Nwamkpa, who confirmed the development, said that the governor, Hope Uzodinma, was committed to recovering properties of the state allegedly “looted by Okorocha and his family members”.
Nwamkpa said that the governor was implementing the recommendations of various White Papers by committees set up by the state government.
When asked, the governor’s aide told The PUNCH that the seal off “is true”, adding that “Governor Hope Uzodinma is committed to recovering all the properties of the state stolen. This is not a personal war it is just the implementation of the recommendations of the whitepapers of the various committees set up the government.”
But Okorocha’s spokesperson, Sam Onwuemeodo, when contacted said that Uzodinma was jolted by Okorocha’s enormous political capacity.
Okorocha’s aide said, “This is the fourth time Imo State Government has announced that they are sealing that place. EFCC had also announced that they had sealed it but the truth is that Uzodinma should wake up. There is hunger in the state.
“This is just the renewal of his war against Okorocha after Okorocha and other strong APC chieftains in Imo State visited APC National Secretariat. Each time Uzodinma realises that the people are not happy with his style of governance, he using Okorocha’s name to distract the people but the truth is poverty and hunger pervade the atmosphere. He should be humble enough to consult Okorocha on how to govern the state.”
July 13, 2021
House Of Reps Reject Bill To Arm Federal Fire Service
The House Of Representatives has rejected a bill proposing to arm personnel of the Federal Fire Service.
The bill was meant to grant firefighters the power to bear arms to protect them from mob attacks while responding to emergencies.
Lawmakers ditched the bill by rejecting a motion moved by Representative Thomas Ereyitomi.
They based their position on the fact the Federal Fire Service is a civil outfit and not a security agency.
Rather than arm the service, the lawmakers advocated for it to be better equipped and positioned for improved service delivery,
The bill was aimed at creating an arms-bearing unit that will be referred to as “Fire Police”.
“Efforts To Address The Challenges”
Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Chairman of Council had earlier disclosed that the decision is “part of efforts to address the challenges often faced by firefighters during operations, through mob action and vandalism of firefighting assets in the country” during the opening of the National Council on Fire.
Aregbesola, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said: “the Ministry would initiate the process of repealing the 1963 obsolete Fire Service Act and enactment of a new contemporary, vibrant, and enforceable law, through the instrument of an Executive Bill to be forwarded to the National Assembly for deliberation and eventual passage into law”.
July 13, 2021
Sanwo-Olu’s Convoy Nabs Traffic Robbers In Operation
The convoy of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday arrested a group of suspected robbers, whose stock-in-trade is tormenting motorists and pedestrians.
The gang of suspected criminals met their waterloo while attempting to engage in a raid around Ojota in-bound Alausa.
Their attempt was foiled by the security personnel attached to the Governor who swooped in and arrested three suspected members.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Gbenga Akosile made this known in a statement.
Mr. Akosile reiterated the governor’s stance on safeguarding Lagos State from those who wish to perpetuate nefarious acts.
“Let me also use this opportunity to sound a note of warning to all criminals who are operating in Lagos State or planning to operate here; all armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, bandits, and other criminals, we will leave no stone unturned in making this State inhospitable to you.,” he said.
He went further to issue a threat to criminal elements in the state, saying: “we will find you, wherever you may be lurking and we will bring the full weight of the law on you.”
Also on Monday, the Strike Squad of the Lagos State Taskforce carried out a massive raid on motorcycle (okada) riders at Second rainbow and Toyota Bus Stop along Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.
During the raid, which lasted for some hours, a total of 105 motorcycles were impounded. Prior to Monday’s raid, a total of 201 motorcycles were impounded.
July 13, 2021
Buhari meets 109 Senators tonight over Insecurity
President Muhammadu Buhari will on Tuesday night at 8pm host the 109 Senators of the 9th Senate to dinner in Villa.
The scheduled meeting between members of the upper chamber and Buhari was conveyed in a letter received from the State House and read during plenary by President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan.
The Senate on April 27, 2021, reached a resolution for the leadership of the upper chamber to schedule a meeting with the President to enable all 109 Senators meet with him to discuss the issue of insecurity in the country.
The invitation letter for the scheduled meeting between the President and members of the upper chamber reads:
“I write to inform the Distinguished President of the Senate, that President Muhammadu Buhari will host a dinner of Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Tuesday, 13th July, 2021, at 8pm 20:00 hrs.
“The venue is at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.”
Details shortly…
July 13, 2021