37 feared killed in fresh Southern Kaduna crisis

At least 37 people are feared killed and many others seriously injured in fresh crisis that broke out in Kajuru Local Government Area in Southern Kaduna.
The latest trouble was said to have started since Sunday when some Fulani youths allegedly went to a village at Ugwan Uka to avenge the killing of their kinsman. Kajuru Local Government is about 50 kilometres from the state capital, Kaduna.
The fresh killings show that the efforts by the government at the state and federal levels to check violence have not been effective.
The umbrella body of Fulani, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria on Saturday alleged that four of its members were killed by youths from the troubled Southern Kaduna.
The group had alleged that youths from Kadara and Gwari communities in Kajuru were responsible for the killings.
The National Secretary of the association, Ibrahim Abdullahi, while addressing a press conference in Kaduna claimed that the incident occurred when some kidnappers raided the communities and took away the villagers.
But yesterday, one of the Kadara youths, who craved anonymity, claimed that the Fulani man that was killed was a known bandit who had been harassing the people of the area and was killed by a mob while he was trying to escape.
He said the matter was explained to the head of the Fulani community in the area who, he claimed, knew the deceased Fulani man to be a bandit, but their youths insisted on attacking to avenge the man’s death.
According to the Kadara youth, “the Chief of Kajuru even called them and spoke with them but we were surprised that in the early hours of Sunday morning, they came and carried out the attack.”
It was learnt that the Fulani youths killed five of the youths they were said to have identified as being responsible for the killing of their kinsman.
The action was said to have provoked the Kadara youths who mobilised themselves on Monday and attacked Fulani settlements, burning their houses and other property while killing not less than 12 persons in the reprisal attack.
Mallam Salisu Mohammed, an eyewitness, said that after the attack, some security agents were deployed in the communities and peace was restored for the period they were around. But, according to him, things got out of hand again when the security agents left the bushes and the Kadara youth launched another attack on the surrounding Fulani settlements, killing not less than 10 persons.
“These are the ones whose bodies have been recovered. As I am talking with you, we don’t know the actual number of casualties as our people are scattered all over, running to save their lives,” he said.
According to Mohammed, the victims were buried in a mass grave, and while at the site of the burial, they received information to prepare for the burial of another nine whose bodies were recovered from the surrounding bushes.
Another eyewitness said when the attack occurred, the youths became restive, but the elders had to calm them down.
“We have been hearing of several attacks, but when I called people in some of the communities, they say the report was not true,” he said.
He, however, said that no less than 10 persons including a seven-month-old baby reportedly died in the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Yakubu Sabo, said he was aware of the misunderstanding among some individuals in the community which later led to a clash and some people were said to have taken the laws into their hands.
According to Sabo, security operatives (police personnel and soldiers) have been drafted to the area and have brought the situation under control.
“Not only the police but the joint patrol comprising the police and army are still there and the situation has been brought under control. I spoke with them this afternoon and they confirmed to me they’re still there. There is no way this type of thing will happen and we will just withdraw like that.”
“We have been hearing of several attacks, but when I called people in some of the communities, they say the report was not true,” he said.
He, however, said that no less than 10 persons including a seven-month-old baby reportedly died in the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, Yakubu Sabo, said he was aware of the misunderstanding among some individuals in the community which later led to a clash and some people were said to have taken the laws into their hands.
According to Sabo, security operatives (police personnel and soldiers) have been drafted to the area and have brought the situation under control.
“Not only the police but the joint patrol comprising the police and army are still there and the situation has been brought under control. I spoke with them this afternoon and they confirmed to me they’re still there. There is no way this type of thing will happen and we will just withdraw like that.”
Idris added that such collaboration would be further strengthened for the benefit of both organisations in the interest of national security.
The IGP, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, Baba Tijjani, at the summit organised by the NBC, said kidnapping and other forms of violent crimes would be a thing of the past, if the Federal Government and other stakeholders were determined to end violence in the country.
The Director-General of NBC, Malam Is’haq Modibo Kawu, lamented the pathetic situation where the Federal Government deploys armed forces in over 28 states of the federation, adding that the armed forces have taken over the responsibilities of the police, a development, he said, was also condemned by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, recently.

Anambra Election: Panic as militants back Nnamdi Kanu on boycott

Some  Niger Delta militant groups have declared their support for the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB),  Nnamdi Kanu over his decision to boycott  the forthcoming governorship election in Anambra State.
The groups, Concerned Militant Leaders (CML), Niger Delta People Democratic Front (NDPDF) and Rainbow Marabas Squad (RMS) said they are unhappy over the May 30, 2016, when soldiers allegedly massacred harmless and innocent IPOB members.
Leaders of the groups, General Ben (CML), General Playboy (NDPDF) and General Aneaja (RMS),  in a statement issued via online after their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State,  demanded for justice for the victims of the May 30, 2016,  Biafra Day celebration killings.
Convener of the meeting, General Ben, stated: “Federal Government should address the injustice meted out to innocent and harmless IPOB members, while celebrating Biafra Day.  The election in Anambra State should not hold and will not hold.  That injustice must first be addressed before any election will take place.
“Southern political leaders, who are romancing with Federal Government to truncate and jeopardize Biafra struggle because of the selfish aggrandizement, will live to regret their actions because, we will not forget them.
“Any attempt by Federal Government to take us for granted, should be resisted.  We advise Anambrarians to boycott that election.  Any person that flouts our order does that at his or her peril.  Nobody is our target, but don’t make yourself our target”, the groups warned.
Reacting to the recent quit notice to the Igbo people living in the North by Arewa youths, and the similar ultimatum by their colleagues (militants) to the Northerners in the Niger Delta, the groups said they did not see it as a threat.
According to them, it was an opportunity for the Southerners to realise and address their agitations properly with zeal and commitment.
They advised Southerners, particularly Igbo people, living in the North, not to be carried away by whatever assurances they might have received from any quarters concerning their safety, insisting that they should heed to the order.
Ben stated: “We do not see it as a threat, but a welcome development. It should not generate disaffection.  But should be accepted with commendation because it would give the agitators opportunity to champion their course with the necessary zeal it requires.“In essence, the deadline should stand, both for the South Easterners in the North, and the Northerners in the Niger Delta region and South East. And our people should return home.  Every Southern is our brother or sister, whether from East, West or South.”

Housewife seeks divorce over seizure of menstrual pad

A housewife, Kafayat Akinade, has approached a Grade C Customary Court at Agodi, Ibadan, to seek dissolution of her 13-year-old marriage over seizure of her monthly menstrual pad by the husband.
Akinade told the court that her husband, Muideen Akinade, was in the habit of picking her menstrual pads for unknown reason.


She also accused the husband of brutality, saying he had turned her to a punching bag and a slave in her matrimonial home.

She said: “I live like a slave in my husband’s house without proper care. I shouldered the responsibility of our three children and never experienced happiness since I married him.

“I left his house seven months ago when I sensed that my life was in danger, but he did not bother to beg me to return, instead, he cursed my mother and threatened to kill me with charm.
“I pray the court to dissolve the marriage so that I can have peace of mind, the court should also order him to be responsible for the upkeep of the three kids.”

The woman threatened to kill herself if the court declines her request, adding that she had made up her mind to end the union.
In his defence, Akinade denied all the allegations, but accused the wife of adultery.
He alleged that one of his apprentices slept with the woman when he travelled.
He, however, did not agree with the dissolution of the marriage and urged the court to settle the matter.

The president of the court, Chief Mukaila Balogun, said the evidences of parties had shown that there was no more love in the union.
He dissolved the marriage and ordered the man to take custody of the first child, while the second and third children should remain with their mother.
He also directed the respondent to pay N7, 000 monthly allowance for the children up keep.
NAN

Photo News: PDP National Expanded Caucus Meets In Abuja On Monday

L-R: Hon. Sikirulai Ogundele, Chairman PDP, Ogun State; Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Ogun State; Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, Chairman,  House of Representatives Committee on Rural Development; Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Apampa, former Chairman, Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority/Chairman, PDP Apex Body, Ogun State at the PDP National Expanded Caucus meeting in Abuja on Monday

REDTV RECEIVES INDUSTRY NOD, BAGS MULTIPLE 2017 NEA AWARDS NOMINATIONS

The pan-African online network REDTV has received nominations in several categories in the prestigious Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA). The lifestyle entertainment network is powered by the United Bank for Africa. In its second year of operation, REDTV has taken the Nigerian movie industry by surprise and is fast becoming a favourite with instant hits like Inspector K, Our Best Friend’s Wedding, The Sauce, Boutique Hotel and Here and Now.

The network has managed to rise quickly to the top by focusing on high quality content production, working with some of the best minds in the industry. According to its Executive Producer, Bola Atta, ‘REDTV has been engaging with top minds from inception, with the aim of bringing our audience the best quality possible. We are striving for excellence in all areas of production and this has been working effectively for us. REDTV content is diverse, modern and versatile, but also distinguishable. I am very pleased that our efforts are being recognized as is witnessed through the multiple NEA nominations we have just received’.

REDTV has been nominated for Best TV Show, Best TV (Lifestyle) Presenter and for two nominations in the category of Best Lead TV.“I am very excited about this year’s Awards especially with the expansion of our categories. The Afrosoca and the Diaspora Lead Role in TV categories are just some steps we are taking to recognize African inspired music and onscreen successes of Africans across the world,” said Tope Esan, Executive Producer of the NEA Awards.

The 2017 NEA will be held on September 3rd, 2017 in New York City, U.S.A

Heritage Bank Staff Not Involved In N150m Fraud

 

 

Our attention has been brought to the report published by an online news blog, Per Second News, in which it was purported that ‘three of Heritage Bank staff’ were involved in an N150million fraud in collusion with two of MTN’s staff.

 

Heritage Bank Plc wants to categorically state that the following persons said to have been the perpetrators of the fraud; Oyelade Shola-Isaac, 32, Osuolale Hammid, 40, and Akeem Adesina, 33 were never staff of Heritage Bank Plc at any time.

 

We wish to make it clear that Heritage Bank disproves the antics of such blogger, who seems determined to discredit the institution, even to the extent of risking being seen clearly as careless and unprofessional. We consider it our duty to continue to provide our stakeholders with accurate information where it concerns us, as your confidence and support is of utmost importance to us.

Signed:

Management

Jackals, hyenas around Buhari ’ll go, says wife

President Muhammadu Buhari is getting better and will soon be back, going by his wife Aisha’s statement yesterday in London.
The President’s wife last week travelled to London to be with her husband, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment. She has also been carrying out other assignments.
President Buhari left the country on May 7 for another round of treatment. He spent more than 50 days during his first medical vaction in London.

On his return, he told the nation that he had never been that sick in his life adding that he underwent blood transfusion. But he did not disclose his ailment.
On her facebook page yesterday, Mrs Buhari, in a response to the July 6 post by Senator Shehu Sani, expressed herself in a figurative manner, using the animal imagery like the senator did.
She wrote: “God has answered the prayers of the weaker animals. The hyenas and the jackals will soon be sent out of the kingdom.  We strongly believe in the prayers and support of the weaker animals.
“Long live the weaker animals. Long live Nigeria.”
Director of Press in Mrs Buhari’s office Mr. Suleiman Haruna, said yesterday that the post was on the president’s wife’s “verified facebook page”.
As at 10pm, about 257 people had made comments on the post, most of which were wishing President Buhari quick recovery.

Senator Sani (Kaduna Central) wrote on his facebook page on July 6.
“Prayer for the absent Lion King has waned; until he’s back then they will fall over each other to be on the front row of the palace temple.
“Now the hyenas and the jackals are scheming and talking to each other in whispers; still doubting whether the Lion King will be back or not.
“Now the Lion king is asleep and no other dare to confirm if he will wake up or not. It’s the wish of the hyenas that the Lion King never wakes or comes back so that they can be kings. It’s the prayers of the weaker animals that the Lion King comes back to save the Kingdom from the hyenas,the wolves and other predators.”
The senator is believed to be referring to those who are scheming to become president in 2019, criss-crossing the country in moves to taking advantage of the president’s absence.
Some people who are holding political positions are also believed to be undermining the system to position themselves in the president’s absence.
The President’s wife also yesterday posted her photograph speaking at an event in London.
She wrote under the photograph: “Today I attended the Babatunde Osotimehin Memorial Lecture at County Hall, London.
“It was an honour to have spoken about his achievements at all levels and his commitment towards women and children all over the world.”Osotimehin was the Exective Director of the United Nations Fund for Population Activitiies (UNFPA) and a former minister of health, who died last month.