Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • 8 Arrested in Connection with Killing of Police Officers in Delta

    8 Arrested in Connection with Killing of Police Officers in Delta

    The Nigeria Police Force has taken significant strides in the investigation into the tragic killings of six officers in Delta State.

    Confirming the arrest, Force Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that the arrests were made following intensive investigative efforts.

    The officers were ambushed on February 23 and 26 in Ughelli, with six still missing. 

    Adejobi announced that a total of eight suspects are currently in custody, with initial arrests leading to additional apprehensions. The suspects are aiding in the ongoing investigation.

    Expressing condolences to the families of the fallen officers, the police reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring justice is served swiftly.

    Adejobi emphasized that those responsible for the heinous act will face the full force of the law.

    The statement read:

    “Following intensive investigative efforts, the police have apprehended eight (8) suspects in connection with the brutal ambush attack. Five (5) suspects were initially arrested shortly after the incident, and an additional three (3) suspects have been apprehended, at different locations, following the statements and cooperation of the initially arrested suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to eight (8).

    “The arrested suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with the ongoing investigation. While the Nigeria Police Force is committed to ensuring that all those responsible for this reprehensible act, and many alike, are brought to justice swiftly and decisively. The Police assures that the suspects will soon have their day in court, with credible evidence, once investigations are concluded.

    “The Nigeria Police is deeply saddened by the heinous act of violence against our officers who were diligently performing their duty to protect and serve the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers during this difficult time.

    “We wish to reiterate that killers of our officers in this extant case, and many others, have murdered peace, and none of them will go unpunished.”

  • Why I Appointed Kwankwaso’s Son As Commissioner – Gov Yusuf Explains

    Why I Appointed Kwankwaso’s Son As Commissioner – Gov Yusuf Explains

    Kano state Governor, Abba Yusuf, has explained the rationale behind the appointment of Mustapha Kwankwaso, son of former Governor of Kano state and National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as a member of his cabinet.

    Yusuf appointed Kwankwaso’s son, alongside three others for commissioner position in the state.

    The Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, Jibril Falgore, confirmed the receipt of the executive list during a plenary session on Tuesday.

    He announced that the screening of the commissioner nominees will commence early next week, marking the next step in formalizing their appointments.

    Reacting to the outburst that greeted the development, Yusuf, in a statement titled “In Defence of Mustapha Kwankwaso’s appointment.” issued through the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Kano Government House, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, said Kwankwaso has promoted many young people including men and women.

    The Governor clarified that Mustapha’s appointment was not payback, but he is among the capable youth who worked tirelessly for the success of the present administration in Kano.

    The Statement reads: “Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has promoted hundreds of thousands of young men and women, many of them sons and daughters of common men and women.

    “He promoted children of nobody to become somebody in the eyes of world today and he also created platforms and political spaces for many of us from humble backgrounds to occupy various elective and appointment positions at Local, State and Federal Government levels.

    “One of Sen. Kwankwaso’s beneficiaries, The Executive Governor of Kano decided to promote the son of his benefactor, not really as a pay but because Mustapha Rabiu Kwankwaso is among the capable youth who worked tirelessly to the success of the present administration in Kano.

    “The Governor empowers youths and allow them to explore their potentials. Certainly, Mustapha cannot be an exception due to his paternal history, that shouldn’t be a barrier to his political career as he has decided to be a politician, like his father.”

  • Most Wanted Boko Haram Terrorist Surrenders

    Most Wanted Boko Haram Terrorist Surrenders

    Most wanted commander of Boko Haram terrorists, Mallam Yathabalwe, who had been terrorising Gwoza in Borno State has surrendered.

    Emir of Gwoza, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Mohammed Shehu Timta, on Friday, revealed that the terrorist surrendered to the troops of Operation Hadin Kai.

    Before surrendering, the terrorist had been responsible for a series of attacks and killings, including the slaughtering of farmers on their farmlands in Gwoza LGA and environs.

    The monarch told journalists that, “We are happy to confirm and inform you that the most wanted top Commander of Boko Haram who had been terrorising Gwoza and other surrounding Mandara Mountain communities in my domain, Mallam Yathabalwe, has surrendered to troops of ‘Operation Hadin Kai’ in the North-East.

    “He willingly came out from his enclave on Friday morning with two AK47 rifles and some ammunition. He was then handed over to the troops of the Nigerian military in Gwoza, after which he may be taken to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, for further questioning or action.

    “Yathabalwe, before surrendering, has been terrorising my people for many years, especially making it very difficult for farmers to access their farmlands. With this new development, we are hopeful that total peace will return to Gwoza and its environs.”

  • Six Labour Party Lawmakers Defect To PDP

    Six Labour Party Lawmakers Defect To PDP

    Six members of the Labour Party at the Enugu State House of Assembly have officially decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The lawmakers had attempted to defect last Sunday in an elaborate party at the Okpara Square but the event came to an abrupt end.

    Party supporters were asked to leave Okpara Square, the proposed venue of the event.

    However, on Thursday during plenary at the state House of Assembly complex, the lawmakers made their defection known in a letter read by the speaker, Hon. Uche Ugwu.

    According to the speaker, the defecting members include Mr. Ejike Nwa Nsukka, (Igbo-Eze North 1); Mr. Johnson Ugwu (Enugu North); Ms. Princess Ugwu (Enugu South Rural); Mr. Pius Onyeka Ezugwu (Nsukka West); Mr. Williams T. Amuka (Igbo-Etiti East) and Mr. Osita Eze (Oji River).

    The speaker said that their defection was a result of the “existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the Labour Party at the national level and across all the state chapters.”

    He continued: “Regrettably, the party has evolved into a state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people.

    “The Labour Party once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas has regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of the electorate”.

    They cited the cases of the Abure and Apapa factions as well as the national treasurer as some of the divisions within the party.

  • Why there’s no banditry in Southwest, Ex-Minister, Shittu

    Why there’s no banditry in Southwest, Ex-Minister, Shittu

    Former Communications Minister under the former President Buhari’s administration, Adebayo Shittu, says the level of education in the southwest is the reason why the region has little or no record of banditry.

    Shittu, who disclosed this while featuring on Arise TV Morning Show, on Thursday, maintains that bandits are people rebelling due to lack of education.

    According to the former Minister, “Why there is no banditry in the southwest is because we chose to educate the children.

    “When you fail to educate people, over the years they will grow up to find out that the social inequality like some people enjoying light, some driving cars, and they are left out. This makes them start rebellion against the society.

    “What is happening in the Northwest and Northeast in particular is a rebellion against the neglect of the poor.

    “Now that we have the issue of banditry on our hands, we have over the years been spending billions of naira in kinetic approach and it’s because people left out of education and civilization that Westernization brings about are rebelling.”

    Shittu had advised the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government to give bandits a promising future by negotiating with them, stressing that most of the bandits are able-bodied men who the Federal Government should retain.

    The former Minister also added that a non-kinetic approach in dealing with banditry would bring about a lot of results.

  • Defence HQ declare eight persons wanted over death of 17 soldiers in Delta

    Defence HQ declare eight persons wanted over death of 17 soldiers in Delta

    The Defence Headquarters has issued a statement declaring eight individuals wanted in connection with the recent tragic killing of 17 military personnel in Delta State.

    The announcement was made during a press briefing held in Abuja on Thursday, March 28.

    The individuals named as wanted by the military are, PROF. EKPEKPO ARTHUR, ANDAOWEI DENNIS BAKRIRI, AKEVWRU DANIEL OMOTEGBO (also known as AMAGBEN), AKATA MALAWA DAVID, SINCLEAR OLIKI, CLEMENT IKOLO OGHENERUKEYWE, REUBEN BARU, and IGOLI EBI.

    The incident occurred when a group of soldiers embarked on a rescue mission to the Okuama community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta state.

    Their mission was to engage in a peace keeping mission from the neighboring Okoloba community, amidst a longstanding land dispute between the two areas.

    Unfortunately, the soldiers were ambushed and killed by armed assailants and local mercenaries.

    According to a military source, the commander and his troops were taken by surprise while returning to the waterfront.

  • NNPCL Refutes Fuel Price Reduction

    NNPCL Refutes Fuel Price Reduction

    In response to the reports making the round that the price of Premium Motor Spirit popularly known as petrol has reduced, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC has refuted the report, saying it is fake and should be disregarded.

    NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, made the clarification in a statement on Wednesday, urging Nigerians to disregard the report.

    According to the statement issued to newsmen, “The NNPC Limited wishes to clarify rumours suggesting a price adjustment for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel) at its retail stations nationwide. The company asserts that these reports are false and urges Nigerians to disregard them entirely.

    “NNPC Ltd. reaffirms its commitment to sustaining the current sufficiency in petroleum products supply across all its retail stations in the country.”

  • NLC Chairman Lands In Prison For Diverting Palliative Funds

    NLC Chairman Lands In Prison For Diverting Palliative Funds

    Comrade Muktar Tarbutu, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Yobe State, has been remanded in prison following accusations of diverting palliatives intended for union members.

    Tarbutu faced arraignment before Magistrate II Damaturu on Wednesday, responding to allegations of misappropriating palliatives provided by the North East Development Commission (NEDC).

    According to Barrister Mohammad Mohammad Ngumurumi, Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Yobe, the NEDC had allocated various essential items, including rice, sugar, spaghetti, and textiles, for distribution among several unions, which Tarbutu allegedly failed to fulfill.

    “The North East Development Commission (NEDC) had distributed these items to the NLC, TUC, NUJ, and NBA for distribution among their members. However, the accused did not distribute the items allocated to the NUJ and NBA,” Ngumurumi stated.

    Tarbutu, who pleaded not guilty to the charges, was remanded in custody until April 18, 2024, awaiting further legal proceedings, as ordered by Chief Magistrate II Damaturu, His Worship Hasiya Abubakar.

  • Tinubu Appoints Tony Elumelu, Dangote

    Tinubu Appoints Tony Elumelu, Dangote

    Tony Elumelu, Aliko Dangote are among those that have been appointed by Bola Tinubu into the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC) and the creation of the Economic Management Team Emergency Taskforce (EET).

    According to a statement from the presidency, the development is a strategic move to bolster the nation’s economic governance frameworks and ensure robust and coordinated economic planning and implementation.

    Tinubu would serve as chairman of the Presidential Economic Coordination Council (PECC), while Vice President Kashim Shettima would serve as Vice Chairman.

    The council comprises distinguished leaders and key government officials, including:

    (1) President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Chairman of the PECC

    (2) Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria – Vice-Chairman of the PECC / NEC Chairman

    (3) President of the Nigerian Senate

    (4) Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum

    (5) Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance

    (6) Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria

    (7) Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

    (8) Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development

    (9) Minister of Budget and Economic Planning

    (10) Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy

    (11) Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment

    (12) Minister of Labour and Employment

    (13) Minister of Marine and Blue Economy

    (14) Minister of Power

    (15) Minister of State, Petroleum Resources

    (16) Minister of State, Gas

    (17) Minister of Transportation

    (18) Minister of Works

    The PECC will also comprise key members of the organized private sector, with the following members joining for a period not exceeding one (1) year, subject to the President’s directive:

    (1) Alhaji Aliko Dangote

    (2) Mr. Tony Elumelu

    (3) Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu

    (4) Ms. Amina Maina

    (5) Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadir

    (6) Mrs. Funke Okpeke

    (7) Dr. Doyin Salami

    (8) Mr. Patrick Okigbo

    (9) Mr. Kola Adesina

    (10) Mr. Segun Agbaje

    (11) Mr. Chidi Ajaere

    (12) Mr. Abdulkadir Aliu

    (13) Mr. Rasheed Sarumi

  • Breaking! Tinubu Offers Scholarship To Children of slain soldiers 

    Breaking! Tinubu Offers Scholarship To Children of slain soldiers 

    President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday conferred national honours on 17 members of the Nigerian Army who were killed in Delta State on March 14, 2024.

    This was as he announced the provision of housing facilities for the surviving family members and scholarships for all their children to the university level.

    He also directed the payment of death benefits to the family members within 90 days.

    He announced these during the burial ceremony of the slain servicemen at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

    Tinubu posthumously conferred the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger on the Commanding Officer 181 Amphibious Battalion, Lt. Col. A.H Ali; Maj S.D Shafa (N/13976); Maj D.E Obi (N/14395) and Capt U Zakari (N/16348).

    He also conferred the honour of Officer of the Order of the Niger on SSgt Yahaya Saidu (#3NA/36/2974); Cpl Yahaya Danbaba (1ONA/65/7274); Cpl Kabiru Bashir (11NA/66/9853); LCpl Bulus Haruna (16NA/TS/5844); LCpl Sola Opeyemi (17NA/760719); LCpl Bello Anas (17NA/76/290); LCpl Hamman Peter (NA/T82653); LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi (18NA/77/1191); Pte Alhaji Isah (17NA/76/6079); Pte Clement Francis (19NA/78/0911); Pte Abubakar Ali (19NA/78/2162); Pte Ibrahim Adamu (19NA/78/6079) and Pte Adamu Ibrahim (21NA/80/4795).