Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Author: Doris Israel Ijeoma

  • Tinubu congratulates Senegal’s president-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye

    Tinubu congratulates Senegal’s president-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye

    President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his election as the president of the Republic of Senegal, wishing him success as he takes on the important job of leading the good people of Senegal.

    This was disclosed in a statement issued by the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, on Wednesday, March 27.

    Part of the statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu extends his congratulations to Mr. Bassirou Diomaye Faye on his election as the President of the Republic of Senegal.

    “President Tinubu notes that President-elect Faye comes with great promise and a sterling record, wishing him success as he takes on this important job of leading the good people of Senegal.

    “The President also congratulates His Excellency, President Macky Sall, for overseeing an election that has been widely adjudged as peaceful and transparent.

    “President Tinubu states that the success of the presidential election in Senegal and the successful conduct of the general election in Liberia a few months ago have affirmed his long-held conviction that the taproot of democracy is deeply established in West Africa and will only grow stronger as it is watered by good governance, justice, and fairness to all.”

  • Bandits Should be given promising future – Adebayo Shittu

    Bandits Should be given promising future – Adebayo Shittu

    In what seems like a shocking appeal similar to that of Kaduna-based cleric, Ahmad Gumi, former Minister of Communication Adebayo Shittu, says bandits terrorising the country ought to be given promising future. 

    The ex-minister also implores the Tinubu-led administration to negotiate with the bandits, stressing that they are able-bodied men who should be retained by the federal government. 

    The former minister stated this while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, stating that a non-kinetic approach in dealing with banditry would bring about a lot of results.

    “If I am in position, it is not too late to use non-kinetic measures in negotiating with bandits, giving them a promising future. Let us retain them. Many of them are very intelligent, many of them are able-bodied,” Shittu said.

    The ex-minister said the millions of out-of-school children in Northern Nigeria are a “production factory for banditry” in the country.

    This is coming when controversial Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi had urged the federal government to negotiate with bandits.

    Recall that popular controversial Islamic Cleric, Sheik Ahmad Gumi had warned President Tinubu against toeing the path of former President Muhammadu Buhari who refused to negotiate with bandits, while urging the president to hire him in negotiating with bandits.

  • Security forces kill bandit leader who shot down military helicopter

    Security forces kill bandit leader who shot down military helicopter

    Security forces have reportedly killed an infamous bandit leader Dogo Gide, behind several attacks, including the shooting of a military helicopter.

    Dogo Gide passed away as a result of gunshot injuries sustained during a clash with Operation Hadarin Daji (OPHD) forces.

    The encounter took place in the challenging landscape of Madada forest within the Maru local government area on March 12, 2024.

    Despite suffering serious injuries, Dogo Gide was said to have been covertly taken to a hospital in Mabera, Sokoto, Sokoto State, where he eventually passed away.

    Dogo Gide, a notorious fugitive sought for his series of heinous crimes in the area, was laid to rest in Dandalla Village on March 24.

    His appearance at the hospital was supposedly made easier by a security official who is currently detained, prompting concerns about potential cooperation within the security forces.

  • Elder statesman Edwin Clark knocks military for raiding his home in Delta

    Elder statesman Edwin Clark knocks military for raiding his home in Delta

    Elder statesman and National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has knocked the Nigerian military over an incursion into his residence located in the Kiagbodo Local Government Area of Delta State.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, Clark expressed his dismay over the incident, detailing how armed soldiers stormed his residence in search of a suspect named “Vote” allegedly linked to the recent killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama.

    According to him, the military men had reportedly arrived in five trucks loaded with armed soldiers, numbering between 30 and 40, while at the same time flying drones within the premises.

    He said, “Some of them went to the buildings behind the main house and broke all the doors that were locked. They matched out my staff living in those buildings, including lecturers at the university, and made them sit on bare ground.

    “They also broke into my late brother, Ambassador Akporode Blessing Clark’s house.

    “A man who served this country internationally in various capacities, including as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as both of us share the same premises.

    “They brought out his son almost naked, as the young man was taking a bath when they stormed the house.

    “All their phones were seized. The people had to identify themselves and told them whose house it was before they asked for my telephone number, which they said they would pass to their “oga” before they all departed.

    “One would have expected that at this juncture, a call could have been put to the Governor of Delta State, to inform him of what happened”.

    Clark described the authorisation of such raids as “disrespectful and unlawful”, having served the country nearly 70 years in different capacities.

    “Again, I call on the various state actors to let me live in peace and treat me with the kind of respect that I deserve, having served this country, and still serving even at the age of 97 years, until when it will please the Almighty God to call me home.

    “I want to end this write-up by addressing all concerned with what I told President Muhammadu Buhari when my security details were withdrawn.

    “If I die today as a result of a natural occurrence, it will be a joyful celebration. But if my death is linked to any dubious means by some overzealous state actors, no one can tell how far the fire will rage. This is not a threat. It is an acknowledgement of God’s mercies on me,” he added.

  • Family Speaks On Cause Of Paul Akintelure’s Death

    Family Speaks On Cause Of Paul Akintelure’s Death

    The family of the late governorship aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo state, Paul Akintelure, has opined that the death of the deceased is not ordinary.

    Akintelure, a medical doctor jostling for the governorship ticket of the APC, was confirmed dead in the early hours of Tuesday.

    The demise comes barely a week after Akintelure raised alarm, alleging that there was a serious threat to his life ahead of the APC governorship primary fixed for April 25.

    Though he did not provide details of the threat, he noted that he was compelled to address the matter with grave concern and a heavy heart.

    In an interview with Daily Trust, the deceased’s younger brother, Oladapo Akintelure, said his death was not natural.

    According to him, the Ondo politician had been complaining of several illnesses and was admitted to a hospital before he finally passed on.

    He added that Akintelure was also advised to take an urgent break from his campaign to face his health.

    He said, “For the past 12 or 14 days, he had been complaining of several sudden illnesses ranging from headaches to back and chest pains.

    “He was admitted at a time and had to take a break off campaign to attend to his health. At a time, we were worried and advised him to rest and we moved him to Lagos,” the younger brother said.

    However, Oladapo said he believed the sudden death of his brother was not natural, describing the sad development as unfortunate.

    “As a family member, I would not want to say much for now because it is still a shocking moment for us. This is not ordinary but it is unfortunate that we lost him at this critical time.”

  • Details Of Sheikh Gumi’s Meeting With FG Emerge

    Details Of Sheikh Gumi’s Meeting With FG Emerge

    The details of Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi’s meeting with security agencies over his comments on the activities of bandits in the country has emerged.

    Minister of Information and Orientation, Mohammed Idris, on Monday, revealed that Gumi had been invited over some of his remarks. 

    The minister said Gumi was not above the law and would be interrogated if security agencies deemed his comments reckless.

    This comes after Gumi continued his advocacy for amnesty for bandits in a recent radio interview, saying that many took to banditry because of alleged neglect and marginalisation from the government.

    The cleric has been photographed with various bandit groups on numerous occasions, while some Nigerians have called on security agencies to arrest him over his alleged ties with terrorist groups.

    In a post on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Gumi said he had a productive interaction with security agencies who invited him over his alleged connections with bandits.

    The cleric stated that his meeting with the security agents centred on how to curb banditry in the North West region of the country.

    Gumi said there was no cause for alarm and thanked well-wishers and journalists who called to check on him.

    He wrote: “Last night I got many frantic calls from well-wishers and journalists about a news item that I was interviewed by security. There is absolutely no cause for alarm.

    “Yes, we had a productive interaction on how to curb banditry as we are all trying — each in his own sphere — to tackle the monster bedevilling the nation. There was no animosity but courtesy and full of respect.

    “We all need as a nation to unite and work in synergy to achieve an everlasting peace.”

  • BREAKING: CBN Hikes Interest Rate

    BREAKING: CBN Hikes Interest Rate

    In an effort to tackle rising inflation in the country, the Central Bank of Nigeria has raised the monetary policy rate, known as the interest rate, by 200 basis points per cent to 24.75 per cent from 22.75 per cent. 

    The new develop was disclosed on Tuesday by the apex bank Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, at the 294th Meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee press briefing in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, saying the bank retained the Cash Reserve Ratio to 45 per cent.

    Cardoso stressed that the move was to ensure that the country’s rising inflation rate, which stood at 31.70 per cent in February, was moderated.

    Recall that the MPC raised the country’s interest rate in February to 22.75 per cent.

    The 294th MPC is the second since the appointment of Cardoso in September, with the next MPC meeting expected to be held on the 20th and 21st of May, 2024.

  • Presidency Disowns Viral List Of New Nigerian Ambassadors, Designations 

    Presidency Disowns Viral List Of New Nigerian Ambassadors, Designations 

    The Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, has described as fake news a purported list of new Nigerian Ambassadors.

    A purported list of new Nigerian Ambassadors and their assigned countries went viral on social media on Tuesday.

    In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Tinubu’s aide said the names in circulation are merely a copy of an outdated 2017 list.

    Olusegun added that most of those mentioned in the fake list have already retired from their diplomatic duties.

    He wrote: “The alleged LIST OF NEW NIGERIAN AMBASSADORS AND THEIR ASSIGNED COUNTRIES circulating online is fake.

    “This list is merely a copy of an outdated 2017 list, where most of the individuals mentioned have already retired from their diplomatic duties.

    “A few names on the list are even inaccurate, and some have sadly passed away. One must question the sudden emergence of this stale list at this time.

    “Therefore, it is imperative to disregard and treat this list with utter contempt.”

    Recall that President Tinubu had, on September 2nd, 2023, recalled all career and non-career ambassadors manning the country’s diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates globally.

  • Edo PDP Chairman Freed From Kidnappers Den

    Edo PDP Chairman Freed From Kidnappers Den

    The Edo State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has regained his freedom after eleven days in captivity.

    According to Senator Odion Ugbesia, Aziegbemi arrived his residence at about 3am on Tuesday, March 26.

    It was still unclear if any ransom was paid for Aziegbemi’s release as at the time of writing this report.

    Recall that Aziegbemi kidnapped on the March 16, 2024 by some unknown gunmen a few metres from his residence off the GRA in Benin City, the Edo state capital.

    He was said to have been trailed by his abductors who were said to be in two Toyota Corolla cars, overtook his jeep along Odaro Street off Country Home road close to his house at about 11 pm Friday.

  • Actors Guild Of Nigeria Reacts To Zack Orji’s Death Rumours

    Actors Guild Of Nigeria Reacts To Zack Orji’s Death Rumours

    President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas has debunked news making the rounds that veteran Nollywood actor, Zack Orji had died.

    Unconfirmed reports filtered in on Tuesday morning stating that the actor gave up the ghost in a hospital at Abuja.

    But reacting to the news via his Instagram page, Emeka said:

    “Mr. Zack Orji is alive 100%. Please ignore the mischief makers who enjoy circulating fake news. This is to show how wicked some people can be. It is totally unacceptable”.

    Orji who supported President Bola Tinubu during the presidential election was rushed to the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Abuja early this year due to failing health.

    Orji was also reported to have undergone brain surgery.