Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Category: News

You can add some category description here.

Army launches ‘Crocodile Smile’ as #EndSARS protest spreads to more cities
The Nigerian Army says it is set to start its annual exercise “Crocodile Smile” to identify, track and “counter negative propaganda” in the social media and across the cyberspace.
In a statement, Musa Sagir, army spokesman, said the exercise will begin from Tuesday.
“This year’s Exercise CROCODILE SMILE V1 is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020,” Sagir said.
“The Exercise is deliberately intended to be all encompassing to include cyber warfare exercises designed to identify, track and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across the cyberspace.
“This is the first ever Cyberwarfare exercise to be conducted in the history of the African Armed Forces. Accordingly, the exercise will also include positive identification component aimed at identifying Boko Haram terrorists fleeing from the North East and other parts of the country as a result of the ongoing operations in the various theatres of operations especially in the Northeast, North Central and North Western parts of Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army, once again, reassures all well meaning Nigerians of its commitment to the sustenance of peace and security in Nigeria and urges members of the public for their support and understanding throughout the period of the exercise.”
The exercise is coming at a time when young persons are out on the streets in major cities across the country.
October 17, 2020
Nigeria Police debunks dismissal of Shogunle, Badmus
Reports of the dismissal of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abayomi Shogunle and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Dolapo Badmus are incorrect, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has said.
Shogunle was a former head of the Police Public Complaint Unit while Badmus a former spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command and later the Zone Two Command.
A list purportedly submitted by the Presidential Panel on Police Reforms was Saturday afternoon posted online, including names and service numbers of 37 officers alleged to have been recommended for dismissal, demotion, or warning.
Spokesman for the PSC, Ikechukwu Ani, said the news of their dismissal could not be true since the Commission had not met.
“The Commission did not sit yesterday and I am not aware of any dismissal. The Commission meets officially before any decision is taken and it has not met,” he said.
The list, which was shared by foreign policy analyst, Ayo Akanji, identified affected officers as Abdulhameed Awodi, APNo119444, Erhabo Uwagbie, APNo86180; Idolor Godsent, APNo158580, Mustpha Abubakar, APNo119167, Idoko, APNo 85036, Ilya Aliyu, AP94982, Asabe Luke, APNo,130296, Angela Akaro, AP No, 50829.
Others include Iyanda Olufemi AP No, 122857, Gajere Taluwai, AP No, 50569, Ehis Oba, AP No, 129595, Edem Michael, AP No, 1256967, Agha AMA, AP No, 119535, Yusuf Lateef, AP No, 36725, Eliaz Casmir, AP No 57688, Oluwafunmilola, AP No, 122864, Mkay Ali, AP No, 111702, Ado Doko, AP No, 46664, Sani Muhammad, AP No, 50679, Adamu Shaba, AP No, 140320, Adamu Bunu, AP No, 42565, Giade Sabo, AP No, 50579, Dattijo Abdullahi, AP No, 87072, Yahaya Shem, AP No, 86216, Tijani Richard, AP No, 46670, Nwamanna Nelson, AP No, 46675.
Also listed were Abayomi Shogunle, AP No, 42056, Dominic Agasa, AP No, 120397, Nanbol Lado, AP No, 51071, Ogalgu Tochuckwu, AP No, 190655, Sanusi Rasaki, AP No, 57052, Fakorede Victor, AP No, 41985, Dolapo Badmos, AP No, 87058, Henry Kaboshio, AP No, 50431, Talba Mohammed, AP No, 119579, John Rotimi, AP 57622, Oviemuno Richard, AP No, 87501, Anonde Christopher, AP No, 90934, Godwin Agbo, AP No, 95853, Dr. Emmanuel Eze, AP No, 50282, Hassan Hamidu, AP No, 118063, Theresa Nuhu, 59661, Yisa Gana, AP No, 47717, Ekong Sunday, AP No, 63069, Oboh Irene, AP No, 145355, Okoukoin Daniel, AP No, 181311 and Ogedegbe Abraham, AP, 86152.
In no time the list went viral online with people celebrating the alleged dismissal of Shogunle and Badmus who are active social media users and have in the past ran into conflicts with young people.
Checks by The Nation revealed neither Shogunle nor Badmos has been dismissed from the police as insinuated.
It was gathered their names might have entered the list because they were reprimanded at one point or the other.
A senior police officer told our correspondent the report was fake wondering what the duo of Shogunle and Badmos might have done to warrant dismissal.
October 17, 2020
I’ll leave U.S. if I lose election – Trump
Donald Trump has threatened to leave the United States if he is beaten by Joe Biden in the presidential election as he trails behind in the polls.
The president said he would ‘not feel so good’ if he lost to ‘the worst candidate in the history of American politics’ during a rally in Georgia last night.
It comes after a major poll on Thursday put Biden at 11 percentage points ahead.
A survey of Florida voters also claimed the Republican is behind by three points.
Addressing supporters in Macon, Georgia, on Friday evening, Trump said: ‘Running against the worst candidate in the history of American politics puts pressure on me. Could you imagine if I lose? My whole life, what am I going to do?
”I’m going to say, I lost to the worst candidate in the history of politics.
”I’m not going to feel so good. Maybe I’ll have to leave the country, I don’t know.’
Political action committee The Lincoln Project, which aims to prevent Trump from being re-elected, shared footage of the president’s claim, saying: ‘Promise?’ A record 23 million Americans have already voted with less than three weeks to go until the election.
Trump and Biden are set to battle over several key swing states – Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin – on November 3. Biden is leading in all of the battleground states, according to polls – but this doesn’t guarantee a victory for the Democratic candidate.
The 2016 election polls predicted a win for Hillary Clinton over Trump, but she was defeated in the electoral college.
October 17, 2020
BREAKING: FG reopens Eko Bridge, Marine Bridge Monday
The Federal Government has approved the reopening of the Marine Beach Bridge and the Eko Bridge in Lagos State.
The government had shut the Eko Bridge and Marine Beach Bridge in March and May respectively for repairs while declaring it unsafe for public use.
But the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, on Saturday, directed that both bridges be reopened to traffic on Monday, October 19, 2020.
This was contained in a statement on Saturday by the ministry’s Director of Press and Publicity, Boade Akinola, titled, ‘After Emergency Repairs By FG, Fashola Approves Reopening Of Eko, Marine Bridges On Monday’.
Details later…
October 17, 2020
#EndSARS: Nigerian Army launches cyber warfare over hate speech
The Nigerian Army is set to launch Africa’s first-ever cyber warfare exercise designed to identify, track, and counter negative propaganda in social media and cyberspace.
Acting Director Army Public Relations Colonel, Sagir Musa, in a statement, said the exercise, which will be formally launched on October 20 under the annual Exercise Crocodile Smile, will also include the suspended positive identification component.
The reintroduction of the positive identification component is aimed at identifying fleeing Boko Haram terrorists dislodged at the various theatres of operation, the statement noted.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian Army is set to start its annual Exercise CROCODILE SMILE which is traditionally conducted in the last quarter of the year. This year’s Exercise CROCODILE SMILE V1 is scheduled to commence from the 20th of October to the 31st of December 2020.
“The Exercise is deliberately intended to be all-encompassing to include cyber warfare exercises designed to identify, track, and counter negative propaganda in the social media and across the cyberspace.
“This is the first-ever Cyberwarfare exercise to be conducted in the history of the African Armed Forces. Accordingly, the exercise will also include positive identification component aimed at identifying Boko Haram terrorists fleeing from the North East and other parts of the country as a result of the ongoing operations in the various theatres of operations especially in the Northeast, North Central, and North Western parts of Nigeria.
“The Nigerian Army, once again, reassures all well-meaning Nigerians of its commitment to the sustenance of peace and security in Nigeria and urges members of the public for their support and understanding throughout the period of the exercise”.
October 17, 2020
ICPC honours Police Officer, four youths in A’Ibom
By Samuel Ogenyi,Uyo
A Chief Superintendent of Police with Always Ibom Police Command, Francis Erhabor and four secondary School students have received the 2020 public service integrity award of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission ICPC.
The students, Oghene Whisky from Topfaith International Secondary School, took the second position in the National essay competition for the junior category, Noble John Pedro from Government Secondary School, Eket, came third in the senior category of the essay competition, Juliet Mfon Dick from Topfaith Legacy College, came third in the junior category while Uche Williams, a music artist also received an award.
Presenting the prizes to the awardees at the commission’s zonal headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji. Owasanoye, represented by a board member of the commission, Dr.Grace Chinda, said Ehrabor was carefully selected considering his track record of integrity and honesty.
“While serving in Edo State, Erhabor refused a N1.5Million bribe as a pipeline commander. He also refused a bribe of N500,000 from subordinate to allow adulterated petroleum product into the State. For these and other acts of integrity, he has been given several awards.” Owasanoye said.
The chairman stated that the essence of the award was to encourage other public servants to uphold integrity, diligence and look away from any form of graft and corruption.
For the students, the ICPC boss who noted that the aim was to inculcate anti corruption spirit into the consciousness of the young people called on them to continue to champion the fight against corruption in their respective schools in order to make Nigeria a better society.
In a remark, Erhabor, who is also the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Itam in Akwa Ibom, said he took a decision to tow a line of honesty and eschew any form of corruption while joining the police force 30 years ago.
Erhabor, further said he told God, to expose and disgrace him in the national television and dailies any day he takes bribe or collect any form of gratification adding that such vow though not easy has being his watch word and guide.
“I took a vow to be what i am today. I knew where I was going to and what I was looking for, and I thanked God for my parents who brought me up well.
“One legacy my dad left behind before his demise was that good reputation is better than an expensive perfume. I have always hunted for that good reputation and I really want to bless God. It wasn’t really an easy decision.
“Integrity does not come without a prize but I want to say that the prize i am receiving today is the prize of the good path I have taken.” He explained.
He maintained that there were still honest and corrupt free officers in the police and other public sectors who have not been noticed and urged governments to identify them for naming and faming to serve as encouragement to them and others.
October 17, 2020
We Are Working To Makes Nigeria Food Secured Nation- AFAN President.
By Jabiru Hassan, Kano.
The National president of the All farmers association (AFAN) Architect Kabir Ibrahim said that Nigeria is not yet food secured due to so many challenges affecting national agricultural production despites the efforts being made by the present administration in promoting food production since inception.
He made this disclosure during this year’s world food day, where he opined that ” we are working selflessly to ensure that Nigeria becomes dependant in food production in different channels especially when the Buhari administration is providing all the necessary supports that are meant for agricultural transformation in this country”. He lamented.
Architect Kabir Ibrahim noted that agriculture is facing so many challenges in Nigeria like the issue of insecurity which comprises banditry, kidnappings, drought in some areas and lack of implementation of many important policies that are very vital in the successful food production targets which must be look upon.
The national president reassured that AFAN would continue to ensure that Nigeria becomes examplary food secures country by adopting all the relevant research findings and creates more mediums that are readily available in bridging the gap between the Nigerian farmers, the research services and the federal government so as to facilitates food production.
October 17, 2020
#EndSARS: Edo Police launches investigation into attack on protesters
The Edo state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo has directed the Homicide section of the State Criminal Investigation Department(SCID) to commence a full scale investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the murder of one Simon John with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Chidi Nwabuzor, the commissioner expressed shock over the murder of the victim by suspected hoodlums at the King square in Benin on Friday which left one dead and several others injured.
EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality #EndSWAT Protesters repelling hoodlums attack in Benin city as the campaign against police brutality continues across Nigeria @GovernorObaseki @PoliceNG @NigeriaGov @MBuhari @SavvyRinu @segalink @AishaYesufu @mrmacaronii @falzthebahdguy
Meanwhile, the Edo state Government has given the police 24 hours to fish out the perpetrators of the act insisting that the Edo state Government will not accept harm befall the protesters who are exercising their legitimate rights.
October 17, 2020
CBN denies Anonymous hacked website
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied that its website was attacked by a group of hackers Anonymous on Friday.
“Contrary to the claims in the social media alleging that the website of the Central Bank of Nigeria ww.cbn.gov.ng has been breached by malicious persons, we wish to state that our website is secure,” CBN spokesman Osita Nwanisobi said in a statement.
“We wish to assure the Nigerian public and indeed all other stakeholders that the CBN website is adequately protected and that there is no cause for alarm.”
The CBN’s rebuttal comes a day after a group of hackers Anonymous claimed they have attacked the Nigerian apex bank’s website.
While the CBN claims its website is secure, the cyberattack credited to Anonymous made the CBN website go on and off intermittently on Friday.
Hackers collective Anonymous claimed responsibility for the attack in the continuation of the takedown of Nigerian Government-owned social media accounts and websites.
The CBN statement did not, however, explain why the website went on and off intermittently.
The hackers said the series of attacks on government-owned websites were to support the widespread protests against police brutality in Nigeria.
“International hackers & Anonymous continue the cyber campaign against the government to call out corruption, demand police reform, and show solidarity with brave protestors,” the group said on one of its Twitter handles, quoting a tweet by a certain Lorian Synaro.
Synaro boasted that the website “will be down again” after it became following the initial takedown.
The attack on CBN’s website is the group’s most audacious move yet since it launched its Nigerian operations on Wednesday.
Despite pictorial proofs that the CBN website was down on Friday, the bank said the cyberattack was being circulated by fake news peddlers.
“We also wish to advise members of the online community to desist from false news aimed at undermining the integrity of the Central Bank of Nigeria, which is our collective asset,” Nwanisobi said.
October 17, 2020
Kaduna Peace Commission Moves To end Takad/Ganawuri Conflicts
By Ujah Simon, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Peace Commission has commenced moves to broker peace between warring Communities of Atakar Chiefdom in Kaura local government area of Kaduna State and Ganawuri people of Plateau State.
The age long crises between the two communities of Attakad and Ganawuri people had led to loss of many lives and properties over the years.
Speaking during a Peace Dialogue at the Agwam Takad Palace in Kaura local government area of Kaduna State, the Chief of Atakar, Mr Tobias Nkom disclosed that the lingering crises between the Atakar natives//Fulanis and Atein people of Ganawuri has been an Age-long crises.
According to him as a result of the constant peace meeting and the Commission continues engagement, the region had experienced relative peace, noting that they’ve not recorded any form of attack since April 2020.
“On the 10th of June, we invited Kafanchan Area Commandant, Military and other head of Security agencies for a meeting through our Initiative and had discussion, which we understand that only the Atakar natives and the Fulani’s can allow peace to reign”, adding that the security agencies cannot restored peace in the area alone.
“We formed a committee in August this year which comprises both the Atakar people and the Fulani’s which a Fulani Man is heading that Committee, they’ve done a thorough work and advised the Atakar people that have been displaced should start returning to their various Communities and the displaced Fulani’s respectively, he said.
The Paramount ruler said most of the major insecurity “they’re having today is always coming from Plateau State which led to were a District was completely displaced.
He alleged that the Ateing people and the Fulanis in Ganawuri in Ryom local government area of Plateau State conspired and displaced the Atakar people living in the Plateau axis.
“The arrest of 3 Ganawuris and 2 Fulanis removing the roofing sheets of the displaced Atakar people on 14th of June this year has helped us to know who have been attacking our people”, he said, adding that this has assisted in restoring peace in our area.
The Chief added that boundary is another major problem that has been in existence for decades, and urged the State Government to step in an address the issue which he believe, would end the lingering crises between the boarder Plateau and Kaduna Communities.
He appealed to the Atta of Ateing in Plateau State to appoint a District Head amongst the Attakar people living in his Chiefdom, looking at their population, and stressed that doing so would further unite them as a people and any information that would bring insecurity in the area would be brought to him.
The permanent Commissioner, Kaduna State Peace Commission, Haj Khadija Gambo calls on the warring parties to sheath their swords and consider humanity first in their endeavors.
She maintained the commission is working hand-in-hand with Plateau Peace Commission to continue to strengthen peace dialogue amongst the warring Communities of Plateau State and Kaduna State respectively.
“The people must come back and live together, to avoid lack of understanding and suspicious lingering among them, adding that effort s are already in place to continue strengthen dialogue within the grass roots.” Khadija added.
It was also learnt that both Attakar native and Fulanis living in Zangang District that were completely sacked have resolved to return and live together.
October 17, 2020