Security

By Uzair Adam

Kano State Government has announced a relaxation of the curfew, which will now be in effect from 6 AM to 6 PM.

This decision was revealed by Kano Police Commissioner Dogo Salman following a joint security meeting with Governor Abba Yusuf at the Government House.

Commissioner Salman highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to maintaining peace and order while gradually lifting restrictions to allow residents to resume normal activities.

The adjustment in curfew hours reflects the improved security situation and the efforts of security agencies in restoring normalcy to the state.

Governor Yusuf urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement and adhere to the revised curfew regulations to ensure continued safety and stability in Kano.

By Uzair Adam

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticized the manner in which President Bola Tinubu’s administration removed the fuel subsidy in 2023.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Obasanjo argued that the government should have implemented certain measures before taking such a drastic step.

Obasanjo emphasized that the sudden removal of the subsidy led to a significant rise in petrol prices, from about N200 to over N600 per litre.

He noted that the subsidy, which was declared “gone” by Tinubu during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, has now effectively been reintroduced due to inflation.

“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. Not just wake up one morning and say you removed the subsidy. Because of inflation, the subsidy that we have removed is not gone. It has come back,” Obasanjo stated.

He further highlighted the need for investor confidence in Nigeria, stating, “You have to go from a transactional economy to a transformational economy.”

The Daily Reality reports that among the demands of the ongoing nationwide protest is the reinstatement of the fuel subsidy.

However, in a recent broadcast, President Tinubu dismissed the possibility of bringing back the subsidy.

He described the decision to remove it as painful but essential, stating that it had been a “noose around the economic jugular of our nation” and had stifled economic growth and progress.

By Uzair Adam

A Kano State Mobile Court ordered the remand of 632 protesters for alleged vandalism of public and government properties during the “Endbadgovernance” nationwide protest.

The charges against the defendants include criminal conspiracy, theft, unlawful assembly, inciting disturbance, trespass, and mischief by fire.

The court session was overseen by Senior Magistrate Ibrahim Mansur-Yola, Senior Magistrate Hadiza Rabiu-Bello, and Chief Magistrate Abba Muttaka-Dandago.

The court adjourned the hearing to August 19.

State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Salisu Tahir stated that the defendants committed the alleged offenses on August 1.

He claimed that during the protest, the defendants trespassed, vandalized government and public properties, broke into shops, and looted goods.

The prosecutor noted that the charges violate sections 97, 287, 229, 336, 349, and 247 of the Penal Code.

While some defendants pleaded guilty, others maintained their innocence.

State Attorney General Haruna Isa-Dederi told reporters that three mobile courts were set up to handle the large number of defendants.

He emphasized that the Ministry of Justice would review the case diary and provide appropriate advice before the next court session.

By Anas Abbas

The Kaduna State Security Council, led by Governor Uba Sani, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Kaduna and Zaria metropolitan cities, effective immediately.

This decision comes after a review of the state’s security situation, which revealed that ongoing protests have been hijacked by criminal elements.

According to the council, these criminal elements have resorted to looting shops and destroying private and public property. To maintain safety and security, citizens are advised to remain indoors while security forces work to contain the situation.

The curfew will be continuously monitored, with the possibility of review as necessary. The Kaduna State Government has urged citizens to cooperate with security forces to restore peace and order in the affected areas.

This development follows a wave of protests that have turned violent, prompting concerns about public safety. The government’s swift response aims to prevent further escalation and protect citizens’ lives and property.

By Uzair Adam Zamfara

State Police have taken into custody a member of the state assembly, a district head, and a former local government chairman due to alleged ties to kidnapping and banditry.

The arrested lawmaker, Aminu Ibrahim, is suspected of involvement in the kidnapping of an elderly man, Alhaji Ibrahim Sarkin Fada, in Kasuwar Daji village.

Additionally, the district head of Kaura Namoda, Alhaji Jafaru Abdullahi Kumburki, and the former chairman of Kaura Namoda LGA, Nasiru Muhammad, are also in police custody.

According to the Commissioner of Police, CP Muhammad Shehu Dalijan, the district head of Kaura Namoda allegedly colluded with two suspected associates of bandits and kidnapped nine locals in Gidan Sambo village, receiving a ransom of N800,000.

The former council boss is accused of collaborating with two others to abduct Alhaji Ango in the Kumurya community of Zamfara State.

Furthermore, three district heads from Danjibga, Bukkuyum, and Unguwar Gyauro in Tsafe and Bukkuyum LGAs are under investigation for alleged involvement in kidnapping and banditry.

The police commissioner has confirmed these arrests and stated that the investigation is still ongoing.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Lagos State Police Command has successfully recovered a two-month-old infant from a couple, Mr. and Mrs. James Uwam, during a naming ceremony in the state.

According to a statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, the couple had purchased the baby from a suspected human trafficker, Loretta Nelson, for a sum of N2,350,000.

The statement further disclosed that Nelson had previously acquired the baby from a pastor, Peter Udoh, for N1,450,000.

Udoh, in turn, had bought the baby from another suspected trafficker, Gloria Sunday, for N500,000.

It added that Sunday had allegedly kidnapped the baby on July 11, 2024, prompting the baby’s mother to report the incident to the authorities.

Following the report, the police launched an investigation and arrested Sunday, who led them to apprehend other suspects involved in the crime.

The PPRO stated, “Our detectives took swift action, leading to the arrest of Gloria Sunday, who confessed to selling the baby to Pastor Peter Udoh for N500,000.

“Udoh, who was arrested in Ikene Town, Ogun State, admitted to reselling the baby to Loretta Nelson for N1,450,000. Nelson was subsequently arrested in Festac Town, Lagos.

“The statement further revealed that Nelson confessed to selling the baby to the Uwam couple for N2,350,000 during the naming ceremony.

The police have commenced investigations and will arraign the suspects in court upon completion of the investigation.

By Uzair Adam Imam

President Bola Tinubu has convened an emergency meeting with APC governors at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, commencing at 1:01 pm.

The gathering occurs amidst escalating demands for nationwide demonstrations against economic adversity.

Although the meeting’s objectives remain unclear, it may be linked to the impending protests slated for August 1-10.

Despite the organisers’ anonymity, the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protests have garnered considerable online attention.

This meeting succeeds a prior conclave of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum on Wednesday evening and a last-minute cancellation of the National Economic Council meeting scheduled for Thursday at noon.

Notable attendees include National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Finance Minister Wale Edun, and Budget & Economic Planning Minister Abubakar Bagudu.

Details later…..

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Defence Headquarters has stated that the right to protest is guaranteed, but warned that anarchy and violence will not be tolerated.

Major General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, stated this while addressing the journalists in Abuja on Thursday.

Buba said that intelligence suggests the planned nationwide protest may be hijacked by unscrupulous elements.

He noted that the aim of the protest appears to be similar to the situation in Kenya, where protests have turned violent and remain unresolved.

Buba warned that the military is prepared to deploy if the police are overwhelmed and emphasized that a state of anarchy will not be tolerated, as it has the potential to destabilize the country.

He added that the intended outcome of peaceful protests should not be undermined by violence.

The military’s statement comes as President Tinubu has appealed to youths to shelve the planned protest.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has also promised improved healthcare delivery in response to the planned hardship protest.

By Uzair Adam

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the redeployment of new Sector Commanders to 20 states across Nigeria.

According to a statement by the Acting Corps Public Education Officer, Olusegun Ogungbemide, the redeployment is part of the Corps’ strategic intervention mechanisms aimed at enhancing operational activities and quality service delivery.

Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed approved the redeployment, which is designed to drive the policy thrust of the Corps and reposition it for greater performance.

The move is also intended to reinvigorate the Corps’ operational activities in the field Commands.

The Corps Marshal explained that the redeployment was propelled by the renewed zeal to reposition the Corps for greater performance and quality service delivery.

The affected states include Kano, Rivers, Plateau, Gombe, and 16 others.

Corps Commander Maxwell Lede, formerly the Principal Staff Officer II to the Corps Marshal, has been deployed as the Sector Commander in Plateau State. Meanwhile, Tijani Muhammed, the outgoing Zonal Head of Operations in Sokoto, takes over as Sector Commander in Kano State.

Other redeployed officers include Saliau Ibrahim, who moves from Kano to Jigawa; Adeoye Irelewuyi, who takes over as Sector Commander in Ogun State; and Yahaya Adikwu, who has been redeployed from Yola to Adamawa State.

The Corps Marshal has charged the newly deployed Sector Commanders to report to their new posts immediately and “hit the ground running” to enhance safety on the roads.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Governor Dauda Lawal has approved an Executive Order to restrict the movement of motorcycles in Zamfara State.

The governor signed the Executive Order on Thursday at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital.

A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that the Security Council decided to restrict motorcycle movement in Zamfara during an emergency meeting on Wednesday.

According to him, to legally enforce the restriction, the state’s Attorney General, Abdul’aziz Sani SAN, presented Executive Order No. 07, 2024 to the governor which was subsequently assented.

“Today, Governor Dauda Lawal signed an order to restrict and prohibit the movement of motorcycles from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am in Zamfara State.

“This is in an effort to protect the lives and property of the people, as well as to curb security challenges and broaden the scope of government measures to strengthen the fight against banditry and other forms of social vices in the state.

“Effective immediately, all motorcycles are now restricted within the state between 08:00pm and 06:00am.“No motorcycles are allowed to travel on any road in the state during these hours. Security agencies are instructed to arrest anyone who violates this order.

“The Attorney General of Zamfara State is authorized to prosecute those who disobey the restriction order.”